Rockchip Flashing

MaskROM, Loader mode, SD vs eMMC vs SPI boot and production flashing.

Rockchip BootROM probes boot media in a fixed order (typically SPI flash, eMMC, then SD) and falls back to USB MaskROM if nothing valid is found. That fallback is what makes Rockchip boards nearly unbrickable. Flashing is about getting into the right mode and writing the right image.

Key points

MaskROM: hold the MaskROM/recovery button (or short eMMC CLK to GND on boards without one) while powering on.
Loader mode: run "reboot loader" from a running system, or hold the recovery key during boot.
For production, script rkdeveloptool or use Rockchip's multi-device factory tools.

References

rkdeveloptool source

Flashing guides

LinuxIntermediate

Build Mainline U-Boot for Rockchip (RK3588, RK3568, RK3399)

Build a mainline U-Boot image with TF-A and the Rockchip DDR blob, then write it to SD, eMMC or SPI flash.

7 min read · RK3588, RK3588S, RK3568

BeginnerBeginner

Flash Any Rockchip Board with rkdeveloptool (Linux & macOS)

Build rkdeveloptool from source, set up udev permissions, and flash raw images, partitions and SPI flash on Rockchip boards.

6 min read · All SoCs

BeginnerBeginner

What Is MaskROM Mode? Rockchip Recovery and Loader Mode Explained

MaskROM is the Rockchip BootROM's USB recovery mode, the reason Rockchip boards are nearly unbrickable. Learn how to enter it, how it differs from Loader mode, and how to flash from it.

7 min read · All SoCs

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