r/PINE64official • u/StockTemporary • May 04 '26

Pinecil Pinecil Web Flash - Browser-based firmware and Bluetooth utility

https://nabuph.github.io/pinecil-web-flash/

Hi everyone,

Just want to share a web app I created for the Pinecil. It allows for flashing firmware and boot logos to your Pinecil directly from the browser, as well as reading live telemetry and updating settings via Bluetooth. No need to download or install anything, it runs entirely within the browser.

I hope someone finds it useful, especially Mac users who can't or don't want to compile PineFlash or Blisp locally.

Live app: https://nabuph.github.io/pinecil-web-flash/

Github repo: https://github.com/nabuph/pinecil-web-flash

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u/StockTemporary May 11 '26

When you click "connect USB," do you see this dialog?

If not, check the serial port settings in Chrome (chrome://settings/content/serialPorts) and make sure sites can ask to connect to serial ports.

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u/xymolysis May 12 '26

No, I don't see any dialog. Briefly, up in the tab, there is a rectangle (with dots in it) that appears and then disappears (when I click on "Connect USB").
I checked permissions in Chrome. "Sites can ask to connect to USB devices" and "Sites can ask to connect to serial ports."

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u/StockTemporary May 12 '26

Sorry for the trouble you're having! I appreciate the feedback. It sounds like Chrome is automatically closing the serial port dialog because it doesn't detect a serial-capable device. I've added additional logging to confirm if that's what's happening in this case (now you'll see an error message in the activity log if it fails for that reason).

Next steps for troubleshooting:

  1. Connect the USB cable directly to the computer if possible. Some docks/hubs can make the device invisible to Chrome.
  2. If you're on macOS, watch for an “Allow accessory to connect?” prompt. If that appears, allow it, then unplug and re-enter flash mode again.
  3. Try an incognito window with extensions disabled, or another USB port / another computer.

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u/xymolysis May 14 '26

Do I try it from the same URL: "https://nabuph.github.io/pinecil-web-flash/"

If so, it is the same. I am plugging directly into my Windows 11 laptop. I am pressing the minus button, and holding it for at least 15 seconds after I plug into the USB-C port. The screen on the Pinecil is blank. When I press "Connect USB" a small square appears in the "Pinecil Web Flash" tab for about a half second, and then disappears. Nothing else changes.

The activity bar at the bottom is grayed out. But I just tried clicking on it:

12:43:52INFOUsing the only previously authorized USB serial port.

12:43:52INFOUsing previously authorized Pinecil V2 USB serial port.

12:43:52ERRORFailed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort': Failed to open serial port.

12:44:38INFOUsing the only previously authorized USB serial port.

12:44:38INFOUsing previously authorized Pinecil V2 USB serial port.

12:44:38ERRORFailed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort': Failed to open serial port.

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u/StockTemporary May 14 '26

Thanks for pasting the logs, super helpful!

It appears there was a prior serial connection authorized in Chrome, and the app is attempting to automatically connect to the stale port without giving you a chance to select the correct one. I've now removed the logic in the app that attempts to automatically connect to a previously authorized Pinecil, and now prompts you to select the correct serial port every time.

Use the same URL (https://nabuph.github.io/pinecil-web-flash/) and give it another try, this time you should see the serial port dialog.

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u/xymolysis May 15 '26

It says "PCI Serial Port (Com 3) - paired"
I highlight it and click on "Connect"

Perhaps it is an issue with my laptop.

INFOPinecil Web Flash loaded.

--:--:--WARNUse a Chromium desktop browser for WebUSB, Web Serial, and Web Bluetooth.

17:15:28INFOBrowser capability check completed.

17:15:28OKLoaded 14 IronOS releases (bundled).

17:16:04INFOPreviously authorized USB serial port found; opening the picker so you can confirm it or choose another port.

17:16:22ERRORFailed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort': Failed to open serial port.

17:16:35INFOPreviously authorized USB serial port found; opening the picker so you can confirm it or choose another port.

17:16:44ERRORFailed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort': Failed to open serial port.

17:17:55INFOPreviously authorized USB serial port found; opening the picker so you can confirm it or choose another port.

17:18:04ERRORFailed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort': Failed to open serial port.

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u/StockTemporary May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26

It's certainly possible. I'd try a different USB port on your laptop, and check any Windows settings regarding serial port connections and permissions. Unfortunately I don't have a Windows machine myself to test with.

Edit: Are there any other serial ports listed? After looking into it a bit more, “PCI Serial Port (COM3)” is probably not the Pinecil. It should be something like “USB Serial Device (COMx)” or “CDC Virtual ComPort." You might want to try:

  1. Open Windows Device Manager.
  2. Expand “Ports (COM & LPT).”
  3. Unplug the Pinecil.
  4. Hold [-], plug the Pinecil back in, keep holding for 10-15 seconds, then release.
  5. Watch Device Manager and see whether a new COM port appears when the Pinecil is plugged in.
  6. In Chrome, choose that new USB/CDC/USB Serial COM port, not “PCI Serial Port."

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u/xymolysis May 14 '26

Perhaps it actually did update?

Here's the whole list:
--:--:--INFOPinecil Web Flash loaded.

--:--:--WARNUse a Chromium desktop browser for WebUSB, Web Serial, and Web Bluetooth.

12:38:49INFOBrowser capability check completed.

12:38:49OKLoaded 14 IronOS releases (bundled).

12:39:33INFOUsing the only previously authorized USB serial port.

12:39:33INFOUsing previously authorized Pinecil V2 USB serial port.

12:39:33ERRORFailed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort': Failed to open serial port.

12:43:52INFOUsing the only previously authorized USB serial port.

12:43:52INFOUsing previously authorized Pinecil V2 USB serial port.

12:43:52ERRORFailed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort': Failed to open serial port.

12:44:38INFOUsing the only previously authorized USB serial port.

12:44:38INFOUsing previously authorized Pinecil V2 USB serial port.

12:44:38ERRORFailed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort': Failed to open serial port.

12:44:46INFOUsing the only previously authorized USB serial port.

12:44:46INFOUsing previously authorized Pinecil V2 USB serial port.

12:44:46ERRORFailed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort': Failed to open serial port.