Fastboot allows you to flash software images, such as the boot loader, and helps in system recovery.Linux and Windows host machines support Fastboot. To enter Fastboot mode, you can use a hotkey for Fastboot.
Use fastboot host tool version 36.0.0 or earlier.
Fastboot using hotkey
After powering on the device, select the Fastboot DIP switch.
The exact switch/button combination varies by board. Refer to your development kitâs hardware documentation to identify the exact DIP switch.
The figure shows the Fastboot logs from the device entering the Fastboot mode.
Fastboot commands
When the system detects Fastboot mode, you can run the corresponding Fastboot commands.
Table: Fastboot commands
Command
Usage
Example or use case
fastboot reboot
Allows you to reboot the device.
Example command:
fastboot reboot
A system reboot may be required after:
Flashing the software images
Completing a software update
fastboot devices
If it recognizes and connects to the device, Fastboot displays the device information.
Example command:
fastboot devices
fastboot getvar <variable>
Retrieves data from various partitions.
The following are the supported getvar commands.
fastboot getvar partition-size:system
fastboot getvar partition-size:xbl_a
fastboot getvar kernel
fastboot getvar max-download-size
Fastboot supports multiple variables. The data from these variables can be retrieved through this command.
Example command:
fastboot getvar version
fastboot flash <partition name> <full path to the SW image>
Flashes the software images.
To flash the xbl_config.elf image, run:
fastboot flash xbl_config_a xbl_config.elf
Where:
xbl_config_a indicates the partition label
xbl_config.elf is the software image that is flashed
fastboot erase
Erases a partition.
Example command:
fastboot erase xbl_config_a
Erases the xbl_config_a partition.
fastboot continue
Continues with the bootup.
Example command:
fastboot continue
Boots up the OS.
Recovery with Fastboot
Fastboot serves as a recovery solution when the systemd-boot image and ESP are corrupted.The systemd-boot image boots from the EFI system partition (ESP). In such cases, Fastboot automatically initiates as a recovery option, allowing you to reflash the ESP.
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