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Flipper Zero Documentation
Basics
🐬First start
MicroSD card setup
Firmware update
Pet dolphin
Power
Reboot
Controls
Settings
Sub-GHz
Reading signals
Reading RAW signals
Adding new remotes
Supported Sub-GHz vendors
Frequencies
125 kHz RFID
Reading 125 kHz RFID cards
Adding 125 kHz cards manually
Writing data to T5577 cards
Animal microchips
NFC
Reading NFC cards
Recovering keys with MFKey32
Unlocking cards with passwords
Writing data to magic cards
Infrared
Reading infrared signals
Using universal remotes
GPIO & modules
iButton
Bad USB
U2F (Universal 2nd Factor)
Apps
HID controllers
Flipper Mobile App
Reporting Mobile App bugs
qFlipper
Troubleshooting drivers on Windows
Development
Hardware
Blueprints
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Basics

First start

Document image


Thank you so much for buying Flipper Zero! We're excited for you to explore all the possibilities this device offers and can't wait to hear about the amazing things you'll accomplish with it. Enjoy your new Flipper Zero!



Powering on

Power on your Flipper Zero by pressing and holding the %back%BACK button for three seconds.

<video
    autoplay muted loop playsinline style="width: 100%; margin: 0 !important;"
    src="https://cdn.flipperzero.one/flipper_power_on.mp4"
></video>
<div class="text-center mt-2.5 text-gray-400 pb-5">
Power your Flipper Zero with a press of a button
</div>

<div class="dead flipper-callout">
    <div class="callout-header">If your Flipper Zero doesn't power on</div>
    Your Flipper Zero may have a fully drained battery. To power it on, simply plug in the USB charging cable, and the device will turn on automatically.
    <br>
    <br>
    In case your Flipper Zero fails to turn on even after charging, try pressing and holding the %left%LEFT and %back%BACK buttons.
    <br>
    <br>
    If your Flipper Zero is still not turning on, follow the steps described in <a href="https://docs.flipperzero.one/basics/firmware-update/firmware-recovery" onclick="next.router.push('https://docs.flipperzero.one/basics/firmware-update/firmware-recovery')"><u>Firmware recovery</u></a>.
</div>




Rebooting

If your Flipper Zero freezes while in use, press and hold the %left%LEFT and %back%BACK buttons to reboot it.

<video
    autoplay muted loop playsinline style="width: 100%; margin: 0 !important;"
    src="https://cdn.flipperzero.one/Flipper_buttonReboot_compressed_1.mp4"
></video>
<div class="text-center mt-2.5 text-gray-400 pb-5">
If your Flipper Zero freezes—reboot it
</div>

<div class="info flipper-callout">
    <div class="callout-header"></div>
     Flipper Zero can be rebooted into different modes, including recovery mode. To find out more about the types of reboot, visit <a href="https://docs.flipperzero.one/basics/reboot" onclick="next.router.push('https://docs.flipperzero.one/basics/reboot')"><u>Reboot</u></a>.
</div>



Inserting a microSD card

<div class="warning flipper-callout">
    <div class="callout-header">Insert a microSD card before updating your Flipper Zero</div>
   For the firmware to be updated correctly, it is necessary to insert the microSD card into your Flipper Zero, since the device stores its databases on the microSD card. To learn more, visit <a href="https://docs.flipperzero.one/basics/sd-card" onclick="next.router.push('https://docs.flipperzero.one/basics/sd-card')"><u>MicroSD card setup</u>.
</div>


The microSD card stores various types of data, such as keys, cards, remotes, databases, and more. Flipper Zero supports microSD cards of up to 256 GB, but a 4 GB microSD card is sufficient to store all the necessary data. Keep in mind that the process of mounting a microSD card with a high storage capacity may require additional time.

<video
    autoplay muted loop playsinline style="width: 100%; margin: 0 !important;"
    src="https://cdn.flipperzero.one/Flipper_Sd_Mount3_compressed.mp4"
></video>
<div class="text-center mt-2.5 text-gray-400 pb-5">
Insert the microSD card pins up
</div>


Unlike modern smartphones and computers that use a high-speed SDIO interface, Flipper Zero uses a slower energy-efficient SPI interface. Despite being slower than SDIO, Flipper Zero's SPI interface can read data at almost 400 KB per second, which is sufficient for the device's tasks.

<div class="warning flipper-callout">
    <div class="callout-header">Use a high-quality microSD card</div>
    The SPI mode on low-quality microSD cards may be poorly implemented or not supported. To guarantee proper performance, it is important to use high-quality, branded microSD cards like SanDisk, Kingston, and others.
</div>


If the card mounting failed

Not all microSD cards function immediately after insertion
Not all microSD cards function immediately after insertion


In case you see the message above on the screen after inserting the microSD card, it may be due to one of the following reasons:

  • The microSD card doesn’t have an SPI interface. -> Try using a different microSD card.
  • The microSD card has a file system other than FAT12/16/32 or exFAT. -> Format the microSD card.
  • There is no file system on the microSD card. -> Format the microSD card.
  • The microSD card is damaged. -> Try using a different microSD card.


Updating the firmware

<div class="warning flipper-callout">
    <div class="callout-header">Insert a microSD card before updating your Flipper Zero</div>
   For the firmware to be updated correctly, it is necessary to insert the microSD card into your Flipper Zero since the device stores its databases on the microSD card. To learn more, visit <a href="https://docs.flipperzero.one/basics/sd-card" onclick="next.router.push('https://docs.flipperzero.one/basics/sd-card')"><u>MicroSD card setup</u>.
</div>


The Flipper Zero firmware is under active development and changes frequently. We recommend updating the firmware of your Flipper Zero to the latest version right away.

You can update your Flipper Zero via the Flipper Mobile App or qFlipper:

📱Update via Flipper Mobile App
🖥️ Update via qFlipper

With Flipper Mobile App, you can update your Flipper Zero via Bluetooth. The application is available on iOS and Android:

<style>
    .app-links {
        width: 100%;
        display: flex;
        flex-wrap: wrap;
        justify-content: space-evenly;
    }
    .app-links > a {
        margin: 1rem 0;
        background-repeat: no-repeat;
        background-size: contain;
    }
    .app-links > a:first-of-type {
        width: 224px;
        height: 75px;
        background-image: url(https://cdn.flipperzero.one/App_Store_Badge_svg.svg);
    }
    .app-links > a:last-of-type {
        width: 242px;
        height: 74px;
        background-image: url(https://cdn.flipperzero.one/Google_Play_Badge__svg.svg);
    }
</style>
<div class="app-links">
    <a href="https://apps.apple.com/app/flipper-mobile-app/id1534655259"></a>
    <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flipperdevices.app"></a>
</div>


Connecting to Flipper Zero

After you downloaded Flipper Mobile App and activated Bluetooth on your phone, connect the mobile application to your Flipper Zero:

1

Activate Bluetooth on your Flipper Zero by following these steps:

1) Go to Main Menu -> Settings -> Bluetooth.

2) Set Bluetooth to ON.

2

In Flipper Mobile App, tap Connect.

3

On the next page, next to the detected Flipper Zero's name, tap Connect.

You can connect Flipper Zero to your phone via Bluetooth
You can connect Flipper Zero to your phone via Bluetooth

4

In Flipper Mobile App, enter the pairing code displayed on the Flipper Zero screen.

5

Tap Pair to finalize pairing.



Updating Flipper Zero via Flipper Mobile App

To update your Flipper Zero via Flipper Mobile App, do the following:

1

In the Main Menu tab, tap the Update button.

2

Tap the Update button to confirm the action.

The update process via Flipper Mobile App usually takes 2-3 minutes.



You can update your Flipper Zero via Flipper Mobile App
You can update your Flipper Zero via Flipper Mobile App


qFlipper is a desktop application that allows you to update your Flipper Zero via a USB cable. The qFlipper application is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. To install the qFlipper application on your computer, do the following:

1

Download the qFlipper installation file for your operating system.

<style>
    .qf-download-btn {
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: column;
        justify-content: center;
        width: 310px;
        height: 86px;
        text-align: center;
        color: #ffffff;
        font-size: 22px;
        line-height: 1.55;
        border-radius: 10px;
        background-color: #1faa20;
        transition: background-color 0.2s ease-in-out, color 0.2s ease-in-out, border-color 0.2s ease-in-out;
    }
    .qf-download-btn img {
        display: inline;
    }
</style>
<div style="display: flex; justify-content: center;">
    <a class="qf-download-btn" href="current"><span style="font-size: 125%;">Download qFlipper</span><span>for macOS</span></a>
</div>
<script>
    (() => {
      const qFlipper = { version: '', links: { macOS: '', Windows: '', Linux: '' } }
      let os = 'Windows'
      if (navigator.userAgent.includes('Macintosh')) { os = 'macOS' } else if (navigator.userAgent.includes('Linux') && !navigator.userAgent.includes('Android')) { os = 'Linux' } else { os = 'Windows' }
      function findLatest (versions) {
        let max = 0
        versions.forEach(e => { if (e.timestamp > max) { max = e.timestamp } })
        return versions.find(e => e.timestamp === max)
      }
      fetch('https://update.flipperzero.one/qFlipper/directory.json').then((response) => { return response.json() }).then(data => {
        const release = data.channels.find(e => e.id === 'release')
        let max = 0
        release.versions.forEach(e => { if (e.timestamp > max) { max = e.timestamp } })
        const latest = findLatest(release.versions)
        qFlipper.version = latest.version
        qFlipper.links.macOS = latest.files.find(e => e.target === 'macos/amd64').url
        qFlipper.links.Windows = latest.files.find(e => e.target === 'windows/amd64' && e.type === 'installer').url
        qFlipper.links.Linux = latest.files.find(e => e.target === 'linux/amd64').url
        document.querySelector('[href="current"]').innerHTML = '<span style="font-size: 125%;">Download qFlipper</span><span>for <img style="position: relative;top: -2px;margin: 0px 2px 0 8px;" src="https://cdn.flipperzero.one/' + os + '-white-logo.svg"/> ' + os + '</span>'
        document.querySelector('[href="current"]').setAttribute('href', qFlipper.links[os])
        document.querySelector('[href="macOS"]').setAttribute('href', qFlipper.links.macOS)
        document.querySelector('[href="Windows"]').setAttribute('href', qFlipper.links.Windows)
        document.querySelector('[href="Linux"]').setAttribute('href', qFlipper.links.Linux)
      })
      fetch('https://update.flipperzero.one/firmware/directory.json').then((response) => { return response.json() }).then(data => {
        const dev = data.channels.find(e => e.id === 'development')
        const rc = data.channels.find(e => e.id === 'release-candidate')
        const release = data.channels.find(e => e.id === 'release')
        let latest = findLatest(dev.versions)
        document.querySelector('[href="dev"]').innerHTML = 'Dev Unstable   <span style="color: rgb(253, 36, 36);">' + latest.version + '</span>'
        document.querySelector('[href="dev"]').setAttribute('href', latest.files.find(e => e.target === 'f7' && e.type === 'full_dfu').url)
        latest = findLatest(rc.versions)
        document.querySelector('[href="rc"]').innerHTML = 'Release Candidate   <span style="color: rgb(135, 42, 204);">' + latest.version + '</span>'
        document.querySelector('[href="rc"]').setAttribute('href', latest.files.find(e => e.target === 'f7' && e.type === 'full_dfu').url)
        latest = findLatest(release.versions)
        document.querySelector('[href="release"]').innerHTML = 'Latest Release   <span style="color: rgb(59, 207, 70);">' + latest.version + '</span>'
        document.querySelector('[href="release"]').setAttribute('href', latest.files.find(e => e.target === 'f7' && e.type === 'full_dfu').url)
      })
    })()
</script>


You can also download qFlipper on the Flipper Zero Firmware update page.

2

Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions for your operating system.

%windows%Windows
%mac%macOS
%linux%Linux

For Windows, the qFlipper application is compatible with Windows 10 and 11 only.



qFlipper is available on Windows
qFlipper is available on Windows




The qFlipper application is compatible with macOS version 10.14 or later. The application is optimized for M1 Apple Silicon Macs.

qFlipper is available on macOS
qFlipper is available on macOS




For Linux, the qFlipper application is downloaded in the AppImage format. Before running the application on Linux, you need to make the application executable:

Using the GUI

1

In the file manager, right-click the downloaded file.

2

Go to Properties -> Permissions.

3

Click the ‘Allow executing file as program’ checkbox if you are using a Nautilus-based file manager (Files, Nemo, Caja), or click the ‘Is executable’ checkbox if you are using Dolphin, or change the ‘Execute’ drop-down list to ‘Anyone’ if you are using PCManFM.

4

Close the dialog.

5

Double-click on the AppImage file to run.



Using the Terminal

1

Open the Terminal.

2

Change to the directory containing the AppImage file.

3

Make the AppImage executable:chmod +x filename.AppImage.

4

Run the AppImage:./filename.AppImage.



Set up udev rules

After making the application executable via the GUI or Terminal, you will need to set up udev rules in order to use qFlipper as a normal user:

./qFlipper-x86_64.AppImage rules install [/optional/path/to/rules/dir]

Updating Flipper Zero via qFlipper

To update your Flipper Zero via the qFlipper application, do the following:

1

Connect your Flipper Zero to your computer via a USB cable.

2

On your computer, run the qFlipper application.

3

In the qFlipper application, go to the Advanced controls tab and click UPDATE.

Update your Flipper Zero via qFlipper
Update your Flipper Zero via qFlipper


For additional information regarding the firmware update steps, visit Firmware update.



Customizing system preferences

Once you update your Flipper Zero, you can modify system settings, such as choosing a left-handed mode, setting your preferred units for measurements, and selecting your time and date formats by going to Main Menu -> Settings -> System.

Customize your Flipper Zero system settings
Customize your Flipper Zero system settings



Join the community

Join our Discord server and forum community! There, you can ask questions, seek advice, and share your thoughts with others.

Official Forum

Discord



Want to learn more? Check out the following pages:

MicroSD card setup

Firmware update

Pet dolphin

Power

Reboot

Controls

Settings



Updated 11 Sep 2023
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MicroSD card setup
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Powering on
Rebooting
Inserting a microSD card
If the card mounting failed
Updating the firmware
Connecting to Flipper Zero
Updating Flipper Zero via Flipper Mobile App
Updating Flipper Zero via qFlipper
Customizing system preferences
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Discord
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