HMUF02 (HMUF02-V05) Flashing Guide: Install OpenStick Debian Linux

This guide provides instructions for replacing the factory Android firmware on your HMUF02 wingle with full mainline Linux or Debian.

Choose Your Flashing Method

Method 1: Automated 1-Click OpenStick Installer (Recommended): Zero terminal setup. Automates EDL partition backup, calibration isolation, and Debian flashing via double-click scripts.
Method 2: Manual Fastboot & lk2nd Flashing: Step-by-step command-line procedure for manual fastboot and custom images.

Method 1: Automated 1-Click OpenStick Installer (Recommended)

The OpenStick Installer is a cross-platform, minimal-action flashing tool designed to turn Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 (MSM8916) wingles like the HMUF02 into Debian Linux devices with full brick protection.

Video Walkthrough: Turn a $10 4G Modem into a Linux Server (HMUF02 Flashing Guide)

Watch this step-by-step walkthrough by @glos-os demonstrating how to enter Qualcomm EDL mode using the reset pinhole, back up stock partitions, flash OpenStick Debian Linux, and SSH into your new HMUF02 micro-server:

Step-by-Step Instructions

Enter Qualcomm EDL Mode (9008):
- Disconnect the HMUF02 from USB.
- Insert a paperclip into the Reset pinhole on the casing (or press the miniature onboard SMD tactile switch).
- While holding the button down, plug the HMUF02 into your computer’s USB port.
- Release after 2–3 seconds. The device will enumerate as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (see HMUF02 Pinouts).
Launch the OpenStick Installer:
- Extract openstick-installer.zip and run the launcher for your OS:
  - Windows: Double-click run.bat
  - macOS: Double-click run.command
  - Linux: Run ./run.sh
Backup & Flash:
- The installer automatically detects the EDL connection.
- Back up all partitions (modemst1, modemst2, fsg) to safeguard your IMEI and radio calibration.
- Select Install Linux (Debian) to flash the system partition and reboot into Debian.
First Boot & SSH Access:
- The HMUF02 will initialize and expose a virtual USB Ethernet adapter (CDC-ECM / RNDIS) at 192.168.68.1.
- Connect via SSH:
  Terminal window
```
ssh user@192.168.68.1
```
- Password: 1 (root password is also 1).
- Test onboard LEDs using led-test or the LED fix service.

Method 2: Manual Fastboot & lk2nd Flashing

Prerequisites

An authentic HMUF02 stick with Qualcomm MSM8916 and eMMC flash.
Host computer with fastboot and adb installed.
Essential backups taken (modemst1, modemst2, fsg) — see Safety & Backups.
Download the OpenStick release packages (base.zip and debian.zip).

Step 1: Boot into Fastboot Mode

Plug the HMUF02 into your computer:

# Verify the computer sees the device over ADB
adb devices

# Reboot into fastboot mode
adb reboot bootloader

If the stock firmware does not expose ADB or is locked:

Enter EDL mode via the reset button or test pads (see HMUF02 Pinouts).
Flash the unbrick bootloader using python3 edl.py w aboot emmc_appsboot.mbn.
Reboot to fastboot: python3 edl.py reset.

Confirm Fastboot detects the device:

fastboot devices

Step 2: Flash the lk2nd Bootloader

lk2nd operates as a secondary bootloader that packages a mainline Linux device tree:

# Flash lk2nd to the boot partition
fastboot flash boot lk2nd.img

# Reboot into lk2nd
fastboot reboot

The HMUF02 will reboot into the lk2nd fastboot interface. The blue indicator LED will pulse gently, confirming lk2nd is running.

Step 3: Flash the Root Filesystem

Once in the lk2nd fastboot mode:

# Flash Debian rootfs into the system partition
fastboot flash rootfs debian-rootfs.img

# Clear userdata to wipe previous stock Android caches
fastboot erase userdata

# Reboot into Debian!
fastboot reboot

Step 4: First Boot & SSH Access

Wait roughly 30–45 seconds for first-boot system initialization.
The stick will create a virtual USB network card (CDC-ECM / RNDIS) on your PC.
The stick IP address is 192.168.68.1.

Connect via SSH from your computer terminal:

ssh user@192.168.68.1

Username: user
Password: 1
Root access: sudo su (password 1)

Step 5: Post-Install Configuration

# Resize filesystem to utilize entire 4GB eMMC storage
sudo resize2fs /dev/mmcblk0p20

# Scan for local Wi-Fi networks
sudo nmcli dev wifi list

# Connect to your Wi-Fi network
sudo nmcli dev wifi connect "MyHomeNetwork" password "MySecretPassword"

# Update package repositories
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 6: Enabling 4G Cellular Internet

# Check ModemManager status
mmcli -L

# Verify modem details (usually index 0)
mmcli -m 0

# Configure cellular data profile (replace with your carrier APN)
sudo nmcli connection add type gsm ifname cdc-wdm0 con-name "LTE-Data" apn "internet"
sudo nmcli connection up "LTE-Data"

Frequently Asked Questions — HMUF02 (HMUF02-V05)

Is the HMUF02-V05 board compatible with OpenStick Debian Linux?

Yes! Genuine HMUF02-V05 (and HMUF02-MB-V01/V02) boards powered by the Qualcomm MSM8916 (Snapdragon 410) with 4GB eMMC storage are fully supported by OpenStick Debian and lk2nd.

How do I check if my HMUF02 is genuine MSM8916 or an ASR1802 clone?

Open the shell to verify the HMUF02-V05 silkscreen and Qualcomm MSM8916 chip, or run adb shell getprop ro.board.platform to confirm it outputs msm8916 instead of asr1802 or zx297520.

👉 Ready to flash? Download the 1-Click OpenStick Debian Installer or browse Verified Store Links.