Skip to content

Flipper Zero — Getting Started Guide

Based on the YouTube video by Talking Sasquatch / Rabbit Labs. Source : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFXV-lt-CL4

1. Disclaimer

  • Only test devices you own or have explicit permission to test.
  • Do not use for malicious purposes — don't be a skid (script kiddie).
  • Do not attempt to copy car key fobs — they use rolling codes and the Flipper can desynchronise your remote.

2. Required Hardware

  • Micro SD card (8 GB is plenty; buy a reputable brand — avoid no-name AliExpress cards)
  • USB-C cable capable of data transfer (the one that ships with the device works)
  • Optional but recommended: SD → USB adapter for much faster file transfers
  • Optional: Wi-Fi Dev Board for Wi-Fi pentesting capabilities (Marauder, etc.)

3. Inserting the SD Card

  1. Insert the micro SD card into the Flipper Zero slot, contacts facing up.
  2. Push until you hear an audible click — the card should lock into place.

4. Official Firmware Update

Via Desktop (Q Flipper)

  1. Download Q Flipper from flipperzero.one/downloads (Windows, Mac, Linux).
  2. Plug the Flipper in via USB-C.
  3. Launch Q Flipper — the Flipper screen appears inside the app.
  4. Click the wrench icon → Update.
  5. Choose a firmware channel :
  6. Release : most stable, recommended for beginners.
  7. Release Candidate : extra features, still very stable.
  8. Development : latest features, may have occasional instability.
  9. Click Update and wait (official firmware installs quickly — fewer built-in apps).

Via Mobile (Q Flipper App)

  1. Download Q Flipper from the App Store or Google Play.
  2. Enable Bluetooth on the Flipper : Settings → Bluetooth → ON.
  3. In the mobile app : tap Connect → select your Flipper → Pair.
  4. A pairing code appears on the Flipper screen — confirm it in the app.
  5. Once connected : tap Update to install the latest firmware.
  6. The Apps tab lets you install official Flipper Zero apps directly from your phone.

5. Custom Firmware — Momentum

Momentum is widely regarded as the best custom firmware for the Flipper Zero.

  1. Close Q Flipper — two apps cannot access the Flipper at the same time.
  2. Go to momentum-fw.dev.
  3. Click Install.
  4. Click Connect → select the Flipper's COM port.
  5. Choose a channel : dev (recommended) or branch (more experimental).
  6. Click Install — this takes longer than the official firmware because it bundles a large resource pack (apps, assets, themes).

Official vs Custom Firmware

  • Official : great starting point, all basics covered.
  • Custom (Momentum) : more apps, more features, highly customisable.

Asset Packs (Themes)

  1. On the Momentum website, go to the Asset Packs tab → pick a theme (e.g. Rabbit Labs).
  2. Click Install — takes a few seconds.
  3. On the Flipper : Momentum Settings → Interface → Graphics → Asset Pack → select the installed theme.

6. Essential Files & Scripts

Uber's SD Card Files Repository

A GitHub repository maintained by Uber Guidoz (via skisophrenic) that aggregates all useful Flipper Zero files in one place.

  1. Go to github.com/skisophrenic — look for the Uber's SD Card Files repository.
  2. Clone the repo (recommended over downloading the ZIP — decompressing the ZIP is extremely slow) :
  3. Install GitHub Desktop.
  4. Copy the HTTPS URL from the Code button.
  5. File → Clone Repository → URL → paste the URL → Clone.
  6. Transfer files to the SD card :
  7. Remove the SD card from the Flipper.
  8. Use an SD → USB adapter to plug the card into your computer.
  9. Copy all folders from Uber_s_SD_Card_Files/ (skip files/, .gitignore, modules/).
  10. Paste directly onto the SD card — this takes ~1.5 minutes. Doing it through Q Flipper would take hours (SPI is very slow).
  11. Reinsert the SD card into the Flipper.

Note : Windows Defender may flag some Bad USB scripts — this is normal, the scripts are harmless.

Files included in the repo :

Category Description
Bad USB Keyboard automation scripts (payloads)
Infrared (IR) Universal remote codes (TVs, projectors, ACs, etc.)
NFC NFC tag dumps, Amiibo emulation
Sub-GHz Radio frequency captures (ceiling fans, doorbells, etc.)

7. Feature Walkthrough

Sub-GHz

  • Read and replay radio frequencies below 1 GHz.
  • Useful : consolidate multiple home remotes (holiday lights, fans, doorbells) into one device.
  • Do not use on car fobs — rolling codes will desynchronise your key.

125 kHz RFID

  • Read 125 kHz RFID tags (pet microchips, access badges).
  • Hold the Flipper near the tag to read it.

NFC (Near Field Communication)

  • Read and emulate NFC tags (NTAG215, etc.).
  • Supports Amiibo emulation.
  • Plenty of real-world uses : automation tags, NFC rings, NFC business cards, Defcon badges.

Infrared (IR)

  • Learn and replay IR signals from any remote.
  • Universal Remote : built-in presets for TVs, projectors, air conditioners, etc. — thanks to the downloaded file packs.
  • Learn New Remote : point an existing remote at the Flipper, press a button, save the signal. Build your own custom remote.

GPIO

  • Supports add-on boards via the top GPIO header (e.g. Rabbit Labs Slim Shady Board with IR blaster).
  • I²C, UART, and other higher-level interfaces.

iButton

  • Interface with Dallas Touch Memory / iButton chips. Rarely used outside specific industrial contexts.

Bad USB (Bad Keyboard)

  • The Flipper acts as a USB keyboard when plugged into a computer.
  • Runs pre-loaded scripts (payloads) — from demos to full task automation.
  • Hundreds of scripts available in the Uber's SD card pack.

Universal Two-Factor (TOTP)

  • Software-based 2FA authenticator running directly on the Flipper.

8. Wi-Fi Dev Board — Flashing Marauder

The Wi-Fi Dev Board turns the Flipper into a Wi-Fi penetration testing tool.

  1. Plug the Wi-Fi Dev Board into the Flipper's GPIO header.
  2. Navigate : Apps → GPIO → ESP → ESP Flasher (by Coco Code).
  3. Select Quick Flash → Flipper Wi-Fi Devboard.
  4. Choose a firmware to flash :
  5. ESP32 Marauder : Wi-Fi testing tool (scan APs, broadcast APs, deauth attacks, etc.)
  6. Flipper HTTP : connects the Flipper to the Internet
  7. Black Magic : wireless debugging probe
  8. Flash takes a few seconds (erase + write).
  9. Ignore the "Failed to mount SD card — SD card not supported" message — the dev board doesn't have its own SD card slot, the message is expected.
  10. Done — the Flipper now has a Wi-Fi pentesting module.

9. Apps & Games

  • Bluetooth spam : flood nearby devices with Bluetooth pairing requests.
  • Find My Flipper : set the Flipper up as an Apple AirTag or Tile tracker.
  • PC Monitor : monitor your computer's stats from the Flipper screen.
  • DOOM : a playable (DOOM-adjacent) version on the Flipper's own screen.
  • Many more : IR remotes, protocol analysers, games, utilities.

10. Leveling System (Virtual Pet)

The Flipper Zero has a built-in progression system — every action (using features, installing firmware, etc.) earns XP and levels up the device. It adds a fun gamification layer to the experience.

  • Official site : https://flipperzero.one
  • Q Flipper downloads : https://flipperzero.one/downloads
  • Momentum Firmware : https://momentum-fw.dev
  • Uber's SD Card Files : https://github.com/skisophrenic (repo: Uber_s_SD_Card_Files)
  • Try Hack Me (video sponsor) : use code SASQ30 for 30% off certifications
  • YouTube channel : Talking Sasquatch / Rabbit Labs