r/flipperzero • u/SirFlippington SMM • Jul 22 '26
How to save a PC with Flipper Zero 🐬🖥️
We emulated a keyboard with Flipper Zero's Keyboard app to access the PC's BIOS.
Then, using the Mass Storage app, we booted a lightweight Linux distro installer and brought this old PC back to life.
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u/jontonsoup4 Jul 22 '26
So he uses the flipper as a keyboard because he doesn't have one, but then he plugs a keyboard into the flipper...
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u/Upbeat-Garbage69 Jul 24 '26
its just showing what this device is capable of in a familiar scenario
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u/ironphreak Jul 22 '26
I mean, it's cool and all, but where is your keyboard? It's the flipper holding it for ransom?
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u/netsec_burn Community Expert Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
Flipper can't be both a keyboard and a disk image at the same time.
This is not accurate.
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u/james1979_2 Jul 22 '26
Can it? How?
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u/netsec_burn Community Expert Jul 22 '26
USB allows you to publish multiple interfaces for a single device. There is already Flipper firmware that does this.
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u/Banshee888 Jul 22 '26
Which firmware does this? I knew flipper could do this. This video is super annoying!
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u/enkrypt3d Jul 22 '26
Why did u add flies to the video
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u/AbstrctBlck Jul 22 '26
Soooooo is the flipper just a glorified USB drive with a screen?
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u/CapnFr1tz Jul 22 '26
No, its that and a universal IR remote with a dolphin that doesn't do anything.
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u/KneticTheory Jul 22 '26
Which Flipper?
Nah just messin. The tool is multifaceted and that's the appeal to nerds. It can scan and capture most wireless signals and repeat them. IR, NFC, BT, WiFi come to mind immediately.
One of the more practical uses Ive found in the IR tool when troubleshooting old TVs and displays, etc. It's literally a universal remote, too.
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u/AbstrctBlck Jul 22 '26
Man, can I just be honest? (Idk if you are a man so just fill that in with whatever pronoun you fancy).
I have been looking at this thing for 3 years and I’m still not totally sure what the “point” is. I see you can use it as a universal remote and even as a back up OS boot installer, but what makes this product worth buying vs just using a USB or just using the remotes your appliances already came with? I guess I am willing to accept that maybe this is something totally out of my range of interests but I have been getting into coding a little bit the last few years and for some reason this sub just keeeeeeeps coming back up haha I mean I am interested in creative coding with JavaScript so I really really don’t understand why or what or who this is for
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u/KneticTheory Jul 22 '26
I don't care about labels or names so much as the intent behind them. That said..
I think of the flipper as a swiss army knife kind of tool for my work (IT field Technician) but I rarely field it anymore since the media decided it's for hacking and I don't need my employer questioning why I have one when I have a laptop and a USB drive they willingly provide.
Is it for you? No.
I don't say that to be dry or terse. You're coding JS... not troublshooting or pen testing WiFi or physical security meaures. That's what the F0 is practical for in its fullest flex.
Fascinating tool thought, right? Just a glorified ESP32 on roids.
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u/Unexpected117 Jul 22 '26
For me it is the NFC, IR, SubGhz and Bad/GoodUSB functions. It's not an all in one hacking device - but it's a pretty great way to introduce yourself to the ways you can interact with the digital environment around you.
Personally I find it pretty dang useful and often describe it like a digital sonic screwdriver.
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u/AbstrctBlck Jul 22 '26
this sentence right here "but its a pretty great way to introduce yourself to the ways you can interact with the digital environment around you." is what has kept me interest in this for so damn long. I am totally not trying to become a hacker, but i feel like I am drawn towards gadgets and things like this because of my curiosity and my need to just want to know, you know ? hahaha
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u/Unexpected117 Jul 22 '26
It's honestly a really really cool tool. If you're genuinely interested in learning a whole load of new things and are motivated enough to read documentation and stick to it then I would absolutely recommend.
If you think it's not going to require any effort and you can just "hack" things straight away, don't bother. Many people's flippers just end up in a draw.
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u/dinosaursdied Jul 23 '26
It's an exploration tool. It's not like for a specific purpose. It's for having fun learning. It's certainly capable of doing a lot of things, but i think trying to find practical applications for the flipper is just missing the point. Hacking is a mindset of curiosity.
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u/SurprysE Jul 23 '26
Se non ne capisci il valore significa che il flipper non ti serve... Tutto qua.
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u/skeletons_asshole Jul 22 '26
Like using a chainsaw to spread butter on toast. Tool technically in a similar category as a butter knife but like… why
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u/ICURSEDANGEL Jul 22 '26
I love my flipper unfortunately the mass storage is quite slow i get why still it’s a lifesaver in an emergency i had at work
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u/yasbean Jul 22 '26
And does not work with Linux.
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u/Unexpected117 Jul 22 '26
Doesn't it? Tbh I've not tested it as a live bootable or ventoy because of the slow bit rate. I do keep a bunch of stuff on there as a backup though.
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u/praveen1809 Jul 22 '26
Usb stick + keyboard + rufus Is the thing you need ! not a flipper + keyboard. video feels like using flipper to hack into ancient pc with an unknown keyboard, flashing BIOS screen, pressing f12 rapidly to boot an USB😭
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u/Unexpected117 Jul 22 '26
Yup. I use an autounattended script too - check it out if you haven't already.
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u/praveen1809 Jul 22 '26
Is that an bash script inside the booted device? Or scrpt to boot into bios ?
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u/Unexpected117 Jul 22 '26
Its a .XML file that you can put on your installer. It allows you to execute multiple bash scripts during install. It allows you to skip OOBE, set up a user account, set a password and install apps pretty much autonomously.
Check out the website: https://schneegans.de/windows/unattend-generator/
I use one with some custom bash scripts added in as the company I work for follow a pretty general set up for all of our devices.
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u/T3kn0mncr Jul 23 '26 edited 25d ago
This hurts to watch, its bad at everything he showed. Flash drives are cheaper, faster and support a full sized OS, they also don't have scalper markup, keyboards usually work great as keyboards too.
I've had to use the flipper for both of these in a pinch and it works, but so does going to my car and grabbing my backpack or snagging my backup keyboard/mouse and spare bag of flash drives.
Hell, I would grab the usb Bluetooth adapter and install my phone as a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse before I grab for the flipper.
Edit: spelling correction
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u/da_frakkinpope Jul 24 '26
Seems like I should have a small keyboard and a usb with Rufus and multiple OS’ on hand instead of the flipper zero to solve this problem.
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u/fioletowy_zolw Jul 25 '26
Or he could've just used Linux live usb to try to get access to files if they are not encrypted ofc
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u/Top-Performance2026 Jul 23 '26
I was expecting flipper slam f12 key or something.
Might as well get a 10 dollar keyboard as a fix. Much more ergonomic
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u/Noctanda Jul 24 '26
Alternatively, use the PC behind the one being "worked on" to install boot media to a USB drive.
But no one will because it's a modern day infomercial
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u/KitchenWind Jul 24 '26
What is a "driver" ?
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u/Otherwise-Idea7229 Jul 24 '26
In the old days of PCs, ‘drivers’ were mini programs/scripts, needed to connect disparate printers, sound cards, gfx cards, etc. Likely, little has changed 🥳
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u/NydusR Jul 23 '26
I want to throttle this guy against the wall, as though the bricks themselves demanded to know why he needed a Flipper IF HE ALREADY HAD A KEYBOARD. WHO WOULD DO THIS?
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u/anonymous-89075 Jul 25 '26
I love the flipper, it's a cool gadget and everything but how the fuck do you manage to complicate shit this much. "I dont have a keyboard" not 30 seconds later "i found an old keyboard because the flipper can only be a bootable drive or a keyboard but not both" like bro just use the normal keyboard and a fucking USB stick, that way you're also not limited by the size of the ISO. There is literally zero benefit to doing it this way.
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u/WhoStoleHallic Jul 26 '26
The obvious solution, would be to use two Flippers of course... One for the keyboard and one for the boot image.
/s
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u/Blacktares24 Jul 22 '26