Displays the exact dd or write command it is about to execute, giving users a final chance to verify the target device. How to Install and Use LFT
: Displays a list of all supported Libre Computer boards. This is your primary reference for the [BOARD_NAME] to use in your flash command. ./lft.sh dev-list : Shows all writable block devices (like /dev/sda ) that the tool can target. Crucially, it omits the current boot device to prevent accidents. ./lft.sh bl-flash [BOARD_NAME] [DEVICE_NAME] : The core command. Downloads and flashes the bootloader for the specified board onto the target device. ./lft.sh bl-flash [BOARD_NAME] [DEVICE_NAME] force : The same as above, but disables the safety check that prevents flashing the device the OS is booted from.
(Replace /dev/sdX with your actual device name found in Step 1). Step 3: Select Your Board and OS
Before running this, double-check that mmcblk1 is indeed the device you intend to flash. The tool will also issue a warning that the device is currently mounted. libretech-flash-tool
sudo ./flash_spi.sh -r backup_spi.bin
sudo ./libretech-flash-tool.sh aml-s905x-cc flash /dev/sdX path/to/image.img Use code with caution. Resetting/Updating Bootloader Only
Supports all major Libre Computer boards, including AML-S905X-CC and ALL-H3-CC. Displays the exact dd or write command it
There may be times when you need to flash the same device your system is running from. By default, the tool prevents this. You can override this safety check by appending the force argument to the end of your command.
is more than just a flashing utility; it is a troubleshooting and maintenance companion. It allows for enabling advanced hardware features, such as Wake-on-LAN (WOL)
Unlike traditional PCs, SBCs like "Le Potato" or "Sweet Potato" require specific bootloaders—such as U-Boot—to be correctly placed on storage media before the system can initialize. The libretech-flash-tool simplifies this by: Targeted Deployment Downloads and flashes the bootloader for the specified
Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind when using the LibreTech Flash Tool:
Unlike generic flashing software that simply writes partition images (e.g., BalenaEtcher or Win32DiskImager), libretech-flash-tool is an architecture-aware shell utility. It connects to upstream build pipelines to stream verified U-Boot and Secondary Program Loader (SPL) binaries directly into the precise block offsets required by your specific board.
This article will walk you through what the libretech-flash-tool is, how to install it, and how to use it to flash your board successfully. What is libretech-flash-tool ?
Run the following command to download the tool:
: The tool requires root system privileges ( sudo ) and depends heavily on your Linux kernel's block layer. It functions perfectly across mainstream desktop Linux machines, but running the script inside a nested virtual machine or a macOS/Windows environment can block the required raw hardware access.
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