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Qualcomm® Launcher is a graphical tool that handles downloading and flashing OS images onto Qualcomm development kits. It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS and requires no command-line setup. The tool manages the image download and flashing process end to end. Use this method if you prefer a GUI workflow. If you need full control or are scripting an automated setup, use Flash Ubuntu using QDL instead.
Flashing erases all data on the device. Back up anything important before you begin.

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What you need

  • IQ-8275 EVK with 12 V power supply
  • USB Type-C cable (USB0 port on the EVK → host computer)
  • Micro-USB cable (for the UART setup step after flashing)
  • Host computer running Windows, Linux, or macOS
  • Powered USB hub (recommended): the EVK’s two Type-C ports (USB0, USB1) sit close together, and a hub also helps if your host is short on USB ports. Needed if you plan to use the board as an SBC with a keyboard, mouse, and other USB peripherals.

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Step 1: Install Qualcomm Launcher

  1. Go to the Qualcomm Software Center: https://softwarecenter.qualcomm.com/catalog/item/Qualcomm_Launcher
  2. Select the OS type and architecture that matches your host machine.
  3. Download the latest version and run the installer.
Qualcomm Launcher download page Once installed, open the Qualcomm Launcher application.
On Ubuntu, the kernel needs a udev rule to grant permission to communicate with the device when it enters EDL mode. Without this rule, the Launcher will not detect the device even when it is connected and powered on.1. Check whether the rule already exists:
ls /etc/udev/rules.d/51-qcom-usb.rules
2. If the file is not present, create it in one command:
echo 'SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="05c6", ATTRS{idProduct}=="9008", MODE="0664", GROUP="plugdev"' | sudo tee /etc/udev/rules.d/51-qcom-usb.rules
If the file already exists, verify the rule is present:
cat /etc/udev/rules.d/51-qcom-usb.rules
3. Reload udev:
sudo systemctl restart udev
If the USB cable was already connected, disconnect and reconnect it.You only need to do this once. After that, the Launcher will detect the device automatically.

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Step 2: Select your development kit

On the Choose OS screen, click Select Development Kit and choose IQ-8275 Evaluation Kit Pro from the list. Select Development Kit dialog

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Step 3: Choose the OS image

With the kit selected, the Choose OS screen shows the operating system options.
  1. Under Target Operating System, select the Ubuntu card.
  2. Leave Official selected and choose the image (Ubuntu Server or Ubuntu Desktop) and the latest available version from the two dropdowns. (To flash a locally built image instead, use Custom → Select Folder.)
  3. Leave the Download Location at the default, or choose a custom folder with enough space.
Ubuntu selected on the Choose OS screen

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Step 4: Put the device in EDL mode

Emergency Download (EDL) mode tells the device to accept a new firmware image over USB. Until the device is detected, the Choose OS screen shows No compatible device detected and the Flash button stays disabled.
  1. Turn on the SW2-3 DIP switch by pushing it up. SW2-3 DIP switch location
  2. Connect the 12 V power supply to the EVK.
  3. Connect the USB Type-C cable from USB0 on the EVK to your host computer. Flash setup: USB and power connections
  4. Toggle the power switch to turn on the device.
Once the device enumerates in EDL mode, the Flash button becomes active. Flash button active once the device is detected

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Step 5: Flash

Click the Flash button. The Launcher first downloads the OS image, then flashes the device in two phases. Phase 1: Additional firmware. The Launcher provisions UFS storage and writes the CDT, then advances to the OS image. When this phase finishes, it pauses and asks you to put the device back into EDL mode: Put Device in EDL Mode to Continue prompt The SW2-3 DIP switch is still up, so simply toggle the power switch off and on. The device re-enters EDL mode and the Launcher continues automatically. Phase 2: OS image. The Launcher downloads the operating system image and writes it to the device. Keep power and USB connected throughout. OS image download in progress If the Launcher appears to hang waiting for the device, toggle the power switch off and on; it will reconnect and continue. OS image flash in progress When flashing is complete, the status shows OS image Flash completed successfully and the Configure Login button becomes active. Flash completed successfully

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Step 6: Configure login

The Launcher can guide you through serial and network setup automatically. You can complete this step here, or skip it and follow the manual instructions in Set up the device. To continue with the Launcher:
  1. Turn off the SW2-3 DIP switch by pushing it down. Keep the device in normal boot mode for the rest of setup; do not switch back to EDL.
  2. Connect the micro-USB cable from the JTAC port on the EVK to your host computer.
  3. Power-cycle the device (turn off, then on using the power switch).
  4. Click Configure Login.
The Launcher detects the serial connection and shows UART Connection Status: Connected. Enter and confirm a new password for the device, then click Sign In to Device. UART connected, create a new password
This flow replaces the default ubuntu / ubuntu credentials with the password you set here. Remember it; you will use it to SSH into the device.

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Step 7: Set up Wi-Fi

The SSH Access screen shows the available Wi-Fi networks.
  • Select a network from the list, or click + Add network to enter credentials manually.
  • Click Configure Wi-Fi.
The device connects to the network. Wi-Fi network selection

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Step 8: Setup complete

Once Wi-Fi is configured, the Launcher displays the Configuration Summary with the device IP address and the SSH command ready to copy. The device reboots once to apply the post-flash configuration. Setup complete: configuration summary You can now SSH directly into the device using the password you set in Step 6: 
ssh ubuntu@<ip-address>
If Qualcomm Launcher does not work on your host or does not detect the device, use Flash Ubuntu using QDL as an alternative.

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Next steps

After successfully setting up Wi-Fi, choose one of the following paths for additional driver installation and application development:
Continue to Set up the device to verify the software version, connect over SSH, and set up the display.