Tools

Rockchip Firmware

Rockchip image formats: update.img, raw GPT images, idbloader and parameter files.

Rockchip firmware comes in two forms. An update.img is a packed image containing a loader, parameter file (partition table) and partition images, flashed with RKDevTool or upgrade_tool. A raw disk image (GPT with idbloader at sector 64) can be written with dd, Etcher or rkdeveloptool.

Key points

idbloader.img (DDR init + SPL) lives at sector 64; U-Boot FIT at 16384; boot partition usually at 32768.
Vendor parameter.txt describes partitions using mtdparts-style syntax and is converted to GPT.
Keep the exact loader (e.g. rk3588_spl_loader_vX.bin) used for each release; it matters for recovery.

References

Firmware 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

Rockchip Boot Process Explained: BootROM, TPL, SPL, BL31, U-Boot and Linux

A stage-by-stage walkthrough of how a Rockchip SoC boots, where each piece lives on flash, and how to tell from the serial log which stage failed.

9 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

Spotted an error or have something to add? Suggest an improvement.

Building a Rockchip-based product?

From hardware design to Linux, Android and AI integration, get engineering support for your Rockchip project.

Request Engineering Support See what we do