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.