> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://dragonwingdocs.qualcomm.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Flash the Operating System

> Select a development kit, choose a target OS, and flash it with Qualcomm® Launcher.

<Info>
  This guide uses the **IQ-8275 Evaluation Kit Pro** with **Ubuntu Server
  24.04-x08** as the target OS.
</Info>

## Prerequisites

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Launcher installed" icon="download">
    Complete the [installation guide](./installation) before proceeding.
  </Card>

  <Card title="USB cables ready" icon="usb">
    Have two USB cables available: a **USB Type-C** cable to connect the device
    for flashing, and a **USB Type-B** cable for serial connection to configure
    Wi-Fi.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Flashing steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Qualcomm® Launcher">
    Launch the Qualcomm® Launcher application from your host machine.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your development kit">
    Click **Select Development Kit** and choose your kit from the available list.
    Use the search box to filter by name.

    <Frame caption="Development kit selection dialog">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/qualcomm-prod/ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4/Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/kit-selection-dialog.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4&q=85&s=162e42feaa008e6e64d47ae00db33eda" alt="Select Development Kit dialog" width="1200" height="1100" data-path="Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/kit-selection-dialog.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the target operating system">
    After selecting your development kit, choose a **Target Operating System**.

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Official release">
        Use the **Variant** and **Version** dropdowns to select an official OS release.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Custom image">
        Select **Custom** and point to a local folder containing your image.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>

    You can also change the **Download Location** from the default path.

    <Frame caption="Target OS selection — Ubuntu selected, no device connected">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/qualcomm-prod/ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4/Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/target-os-no-device.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4&q=85&s=312264d4aa9f3e94e9e2a7e0b39ac249" alt="Target OS selection with no device detected" width="1200" height="1100" data-path="Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/target-os-no-device.png" />
    </Frame>

    <Warning>
      If no compatible device is detected, the screen shows: *"No compatible device detected. Connect your device via USB and ensure it is in EDL mode."* A **Steps to Enter EDL Mode** link is provided in-app.
    </Warning>

    <Frame caption="Target OS selection — Flash button becomes active once a device is detected">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/qualcomm-prod/ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4/Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/target-os-device-detected.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4&q=85&s=941d14630152ddeb55ea9dc390bbd97a" alt="Target OS selection with Flash button active" width="1200" height="1100" data-path="Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/target-os-device-detected.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Put the device in EDL mode">
    Place the device into **EDL (Emergency Download) mode** before flashing.
    Step-by-step instructions for your specific device are available inside the application via the **Steps to Enter EDL Mode** link.

    Once in EDL mode, the device is detected automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Flash">
    Click the **Flash** button to begin the flashing process.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Monitor flashing progress">
    The progress screen shows real-time flashing status: platform image download, background flashing activity, and a live log.

    <Frame caption="Flashing in progress — do not interrupt">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/qualcomm-prod/ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4/Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/flash-in-progress.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4&q=85&s=e6d5825ee77050570a4b660150952300" alt="Flash in progress screen" width="1200" height="1100" data-path="Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/flash-in-progress.png" />
    </Frame>

    <Warning>
      This process may take several minutes. **Do not close the application or disconnect the device** while flashing is in progress.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Handle the EDL re-entry prompt (if shown)">
    Some firmware updates require a **second EDL mode placement** mid-flash. If this applies to your device, a prompt appears:

    > **Put Device in EDL Mode to Continue**
    > The additional firmware flash step completed successfully. To proceed with flashing the operating system, the device must be placed in EDL mode again.

    <Frame caption="EDL mode re-entry prompt — waiting for device">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/qualcomm-prod/ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4/Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/edl-reentry-prompt.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4&q=85&s=54fa4315cc0139ca277639598c4da63a" alt="EDL mode required prompt" width="1200" height="1100" data-path="Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/edl-reentry-prompt.png" />
    </Frame>

    Re-enter EDL mode as prompted. Flashing resumes automatically once the device is detected.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm flashing complete">
    When the OS image flashes successfully, the status changes to **"OS image Flash completed successfully"** and the **Configure Login** button becomes active.

    <Frame caption="Flashing complete — ready for device configuration">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/qualcomm-prod/ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4/Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/flash-complete.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ajmq44Q1W0vLtUT4&q=85&s=5108371ca1d71c8f90ab2eb7475283cd" alt="Flash complete screen" width="1200" height="1100" data-path="Tools/Qualcomm-Launcher/images/flash-complete.png" />
    </Frame>

    <Check>
      OS flashing is complete. The device is ready for initial configuration.
    </Check>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next step

Click **Configure Login** or continue to the [Configure the Device](./configure-device) guide.