rkdeveloptool

Flash firmware to Rockchip devices via USB

TLDR

List devices

$ rkdeveloptool ld

Download boot

$ rkdeveloptool db [loader.bin]

Write image

$ rkdeveloptool wl [0] [image.img]

Read flash info

$ rkdeveloptool rfi

Reboot device

$ rkdeveloptool rd

Read partition

$ rkdeveloptool rl [0] [size] [output.img]

rkdeveloptool is a Linux utility for flashing firmware to Rockchip ARM SoC devices (RK3399, RK3328, RK3288, and others) via USB. It communicates with the device's bootrom when the device is placed in maskrom mode, a special recovery state entered by shorting specific pins or holding a button during power-on.The flashing process typically involves two steps: first loading a boot loader with the db command, then writing the system image at the appropriate offset with wl. The tool can also read back flash contents, query flash chip information, and erase the entire storage. It serves as an open-source Linux alternative to Rockchip's Windows-based flashing tools.Root or appropriate USB permissions are required to communicate with the device. The ld command verifies that the device is detected and in the correct mode before proceeding with write operations.

PARAMETERS

List devices.

db FILE

Download boot loader.

wl OFFSET FILE

Write image at offset.

rl OFFSET SIZE FILE

Read to file.

rfi

Read flash info.

Reboot device.

Erase entire flash.

ul FILE

Upgrade firmware from a packed update image.

rid

Read chip ID.

INSTALL

sudo apt install rkdeveloptool

sudo dnf install rkdeveloptool

sudo apk add rkdeveloptool

sudo zypper install rkdeveloptool

nix profile install nixpkgs#rkdeveloptool

CAVEATS

Root required. Device must be in maskrom. Wrong images can brick.

HISTORY

rkdeveloptool is developed by Rockchip for flashing firmware to their ARM SoC devices via USB.