meshtastic/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/nrf52/index.mdx

---
id: flashing-nrf52-devices
title: Flash NRF52 Devices
sidebar_label: NRF52 Device
sidebar_position: 2
---

## Flashing Methods for NRF52 Devices

The NRF52 based devices have the easiest firmware upgrade process. No driver or software install is required on any platform.

1. The [drag and drop](/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/nrf52/drag-n-drop) firmware installation is considered the "manual process" and recommended as the easiest solution.
2. The [Python Flasher](/docs/software/python/flasher) application does a lot under the hood to prevent you from needing to use the terminal. It also allows you to configure your device.

## Convert RAK4631-R to RAK4631

The only difference between the _RAK4631-R_ (RUI3) and the _RAK4631_ (Arduino) is the bootloader it is shipped with - the hardware is the same.

Meshtastic requires the Arduino bootloader on RAK WisBlock NRF52-based boards. The process of converting the bootloader only needs to be performed once.

This conversion requires the use of either a [DAPLink](https://daplink.io/) or [J-Link](https://www.segger.com/products/debug-probes/j-link/). The most reasonably priced and available is the [RAKDAP1](https://store.rakwireless.com/products/daplink-tool).

1. Install [Python](https://www.python.org/downloads/)
2. Install [pyOCD](https://pyocd.io/)
   ```shell
   pip3 install pyocd
   ```
3. Download the required bootloader: [WisCore_RAK4631_Board_Bootloader.hex](https://github.com/RAKWireless/WisBlock/releases/download/0.4.2/WisCore_RAK4631_Board_Bootloader.hex)
4. Connect the RAKDAP as follows:
   [<img src="/img/rak4631-rakdap1.png" style={{zoom:'25%'}} />](/img/rak4631-rakdap1.png)
5. Flash the bootloader
   ```shell
   pyocd flash -t nrf52840 .\WisCore_RAK4631_Board_Bootloader.hex
   ```
6. Continue with the normal [flashing instructions](/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/nrf52/drag-n-drop)

Alternate methods of flashing are outlined [here](https://github.com/RAKWireless/WisBlock/tree/master/bootloader/RAK4630).
RAK461-R convertion instructions 2022-09-21 02:33:44 -07:00			`---`
updates and organizational changes to docs (#469) * updates and organizational changes to docs * fixed broken links Co-authored-by: sigmahour <> 2022-10-31 00:05:00 -07:00			`id: flashing-nrf52-devices`
			`title: Flash NRF52 Devices`
			`sidebar_label: NRF52 Device`
			`sidebar_position: 2`
RAK461-R convertion instructions 2022-09-21 02:33:44 -07:00			`---`

updated gettings started and supported hardware page 2022-11-01 15:04:52 -07:00			`## Flashing Methods for NRF52 Devices`
updates and organizational changes to docs (#469) * updates and organizational changes to docs * fixed broken links Co-authored-by: sigmahour <> 2022-10-31 00:05:00 -07:00
major organizational revamp 2022-11-02 11:46:54 -07:00			`The NRF52 based devices have the easiest firmware upgrade process. No driver or software install is required on any platform.`
updates and organizational changes to docs (#469) * updates and organizational changes to docs * fixed broken links Co-authored-by: sigmahour <> 2022-10-31 00:05:00 -07:00
updated gettings started and supported hardware page 2022-11-01 15:04:52 -07:00			`1. The [drag and drop](/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/nrf52/drag-n-drop) firmware installation is considered the "manual process" and recommended as the easiest solution.`
			`2. The [Python Flasher](/docs/software/python/flasher) application does a lot under the hood to prevent you from needing to use the terminal. It also allows you to configure your device.`
updates and organizational changes to docs (#469) * updates and organizational changes to docs * fixed broken links Co-authored-by: sigmahour <> 2022-10-31 00:05:00 -07:00
			`## Convert RAK4631-R to RAK4631`

major organizational revamp 2022-11-02 11:46:54 -07:00			`The only difference between the _RAK4631-R_ (RUI3) and the _RAK4631_ (Arduino) is the bootloader it is shipped with - the hardware is the same.`
RAK461-R convertion instructions 2022-09-21 02:33:44 -07:00
major organizational revamp 2022-11-02 11:46:54 -07:00			`Meshtastic requires the Arduino bootloader on RAK WisBlock NRF52-based boards. The process of converting the bootloader only needs to be performed once.`
getting started updates 2022-10-31 21:26:19 -07:00
major organizational revamp 2022-11-02 11:46:54 -07:00			`This conversion requires the use of either a [DAPLink](https://daplink.io/) or [J-Link](https://www.segger.com/products/debug-probes/j-link/). The most reasonably priced and available is the [RAKDAP1](https://store.rakwireless.com/products/daplink-tool).`
RAK461-R convertion instructions 2022-09-21 02:33:44 -07:00
			`1. Install [Python](https://www.python.org/downloads/)`
			`2. Install [pyOCD](https://pyocd.io/)`
getting started updates 2022-10-31 21:26:19 -07:00			```shell
			`pip3 install pyocd`
			```
RAK461-R convertion instructions 2022-09-21 02:33:44 -07:00			`3. Download the required bootloader: [WisCore_RAK4631_Board_Bootloader.hex](https://github.com/RAKWireless/WisBlock/releases/download/0.4.2/WisCore_RAK4631_Board_Bootloader.hex)`
			`4. Connect the RAKDAP as follows:`
			`[<img src="/img/rak4631-rakdap1.png" style={{zoom:'25%'}} />](/img/rak4631-rakdap1.png)`
			`5. Flash the bootloader`
getting started updates 2022-10-31 21:26:19 -07:00			```shell
			`pyocd flash -t nrf52840 .\WisCore_RAK4631_Board_Bootloader.hex`
			```
			`6. Continue with the normal [flashing instructions](/docs/getting-started/flashing-firmware/nrf52/drag-n-drop)`
RAK461-R convertion instructions 2022-09-21 02:33:44 -07:00
updates and organizational changes to docs (#469) * updates and organizational changes to docs * fixed broken links Co-authored-by: sigmahour <> 2022-10-31 00:05:00 -07:00			`Alternate methods of flashing are outlined [here](https://github.com/RAKWireless/WisBlock/tree/master/bootloader/RAK4630).`