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SP970 (V3 / V10) Flashing Guide: Install OpenStick Debian Linux

This guide provides instructions for flashing custom Linux distributions onto the SP970 4G dongle.

Prerequisites

Section titled “Prerequisites”
  1. An authentic SP970 (MSM8916 with eMMC) stick.
  2. PC with fastboot and adb installed.
  3. Essential backups saved (modemst1, modemst2, fsg) — see Safety & Backups.
  4. Download the OpenStick release packages (base.zip and debian.zip).

Step 1: Boot into Fastboot

Section titled “Step 1: Boot into Fastboot”

Insert the SP970 into your computer:

Terminal window
# Verify ADB detects the stick
adb devices


# Reboot into Fastboot mode
adb reboot bootloader

If ADB is locked or disabled, use the tweezers method on the EDL test pads (see SP970 Pinouts) and restore the bootloader using edl.py.

Confirm fastboot detects the stick:

Terminal window
fastboot devices

Step 2: Flash the lk2nd Bootloader

Section titled “Step 2: Flash the lk2nd Bootloader”
Terminal window
# Flash lk2nd into the boot partition
fastboot flash boot lk2nd.img


# Reboot into lk2nd
fastboot reboot

The SP970 will reboot, and lk2nd will take over hardware initialization, pulsing the blue LED.

Step 3: Flash Debian Root Filesystem

Section titled “Step 3: Flash Debian Root Filesystem”

Once in lk2nd fastboot:

Terminal window
# Flash the Debian system image into the rootfs/system partition
fastboot flash rootfs debian-rootfs.img


# Erase userdata partition
fastboot erase userdata


# Reboot into Debian!
fastboot reboot

Step 4: First Boot & SSH Access

Section titled “Step 4: First Boot & SSH Access”
  1. After approximately 30–45 seconds, the stick will expose a virtual USB network card on your computer.
  2. The stick IP address is 192.168.68.1.

Log in via SSH:

Terminal window
ssh user@192.168.68.1
  • User: user
  • Password: 1
  • Root: sudo su (password 1)

Step 5: Post-Install Configuration & 4G Setup

Section titled “Step 5: Post-Install Configuration & 4G Setup”
Terminal window
# Expand storage to fill eMMC
sudo resize2fs /dev/mmcblk0p20


# Connect to Wi-Fi
sudo nmcli dev wifi connect "MyWiFi" password "MyPassword"


# Initialize cellular modem
mmcli -m 0 --enable
sudo nmcli connection add type gsm ifname cdc-wdm0 con-name "Cellular4G" apn "internet"
sudo nmcli connection up "Cellular4G"

Frequently Asked Questions — SP970 (V3 / V10)

Does the SP970 4G USB modem run OpenStick Debian Linux?

Yes, genuine Qualcomm MSM8916 SP970 V3 and V10 boards with eMMC flash run OpenStick Debian Linux via the lk2nd bootloader.

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