UFI001B & UFI001C Flashing Guide: Install OpenStick Debian Linux

Because the UFI001B / UFI001C was the first hardware platform targeted by the OpenStick community, all standard OpenStick firmware releases, recovery tools, and scripts have native, first-class compatibility with this board.

Prerequisites

An authentic UFI001B / UFI001C (MSM8916 with eMMC) dongle.
PC with fastboot and adb installed.
Essential backups saved (modemst1, modemst2, fsg) — see Safety & Backups.
Download the OpenStick release packages (base.zip and debian.zip).

Step 1: Boot into Fastboot

Insert the dongle into your computer:

# Verify connection
adb devices

# Reboot to fastboot
adb reboot bootloader

If ADB is unavailable, enter EDL mode using the test pads (see UFI001 Pinouts) and restore the bootloader.

Confirm Fastboot detects the device:

fastboot devices

Step 2: Flash the lk2nd Bootloader

lk2nd manages the boot process and prepares the mainline device tree:

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

# Reboot into lk2nd
fastboot reboot

The dongle reboots, and the LED will pulse blue. Fastboot will now identify the device as running under lk2nd.

Step 3: Flash Debian OpenStick Base

Once in lk2nd fastboot:

# Flash the rootfs image
fastboot flash rootfs debian-rootfs.img

# Wipe old Android userdata
fastboot erase userdata

# Boot into Debian
fastboot reboot

Step 4: First Boot & SSH Access

After roughly 30 seconds, your computer will detect a new USB network card.
The stick runs a DHCP server on the 192.168.68.x subnet.
The stick IP address is 192.168.68.1.

ssh user@192.168.68.1

User: user
Password: 1
Root: sudo su (password 1)

Step 5: Post-Install Configuration

# Expand filesystem to full eMMC size
sudo resize2fs /dev/mmcblk0p20

# Connect to your Wi-Fi network
sudo nmcli dev wifi connect "MyNetwork" password "MyPassword"

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

Step 6: 4G Cellular Connection Setup

# Check modem status with ModemManager
mmcli -m 0

# Enable modem
mmcli -m 0 --enable

# Configure APN profile
sudo nmcli connection add type gsm ifname cdc-wdm0 con-name "4G-LTE" apn "internet"
sudo nmcli connection up "4G-LTE"

Frequently Asked Questions — UFI001B / UFI001C

What is the difference between UFI001B and UFI001C in OpenStick?

Both UFI001B and UFI001C are official reference MSM8916 boards with 512MB RAM and 4GB eMMC. They share the same flashing workflow via lk2nd and OpenStick Debian, with minor LED GPIO polarity differences handled by the device tree.

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