HiKey (LeMaker Edition) Downloads

HiKey LeMaker edition downloads

Summary

This page provides download links and flashing instructions for the HiKey (LeMaker Edition) development board. The HiKey LeMaker Edition is a 96boards Consumer Edition platform powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 620 SoC, featuring an octa-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor, 2 GB LPDDR3 RAM, and 8 GB eMMC storage. Available downloads include Debian Linux images, Android AOSP builds, UEFI firmware, and the L-Loader secondary bootloader required for the initial flash process.

Who This Is For

This guide is intended for developers and enthusiasts working with the HiKey LeMaker Edition board. You should have basic familiarity with fastboot-based flashing workflows and USB debugging. If you are new to the HiKey platform, review the board specifications and hardware manual before downloading images. Users of the original HiKey (CircuitCo edition) should refer to the HiKey CircuitCo downloads page, as firmware binaries differ between board revisions.

Download and Verification Guidance

The following packages are available for the HiKey LeMaker Edition:

  • Debian Linux: Desktop and server images built for the Kirin 620 with Mali-450 GPU driver support. The desktop variant includes an LXDE environment suitable for lightweight graphical workloads.
  • Android AOSP: A full Android build with HiKey-specific hardware abstraction layers. Supports USB peripherals, HDMI output, and Bluetooth/WiFi via the onboard TI WL1835MOD module.
  • UEFI Firmware: The primary bootloader that initialises the Kirin 620 hardware and presents a UEFI boot menu. Must be flashed before any operating system image.
  • L-Loader: A secondary bootloader required to bridge the SoC boot ROM and UEFI. The L-Loader must be written to the board before the UEFI firmware can execute.

Verify every download against its published SHA-256 checksum before flashing:

sha256sum hikey-lemaker-debian-desktop.img.gz

Discard and re-download any file with a checksum mismatch. Store verified files locally on reliable storage to ensure file integrity during the flash process.

Flash Checklist

  • Install Android SDK Platform Tools on your host to obtain the fastboot utility.
  • Set jumpers J15 (pins 1-2) and J601 (pins 3-4) to enter recovery/fastboot mode. Refer to the board silkscreen for jumper locations.
  • Connect the board to your host via the micro-USB OTG port.
  • Flash the L-Loader: fastboot flash loader l-loader.bin.
  • Flash the UEFI firmware: fastboot flash fastboot fip.bin.
  • Flash the partition table: fastboot flash ptable ptable-linux.img (or ptable-aosp.img for Android).
  • Flash the boot image: fastboot flash boot boot.img.
  • Flash the system image: fastboot flash system system.img.
  • Remove the recovery jumper and power-cycle to boot normally.

First Boot Verification

After removing the recovery jumper and powering on, connect an HDMI display to observe the UEFI splash and subsequent OS boot. For Debian, a login prompt should appear within 30 seconds. Log in with the default credentials from the release notes and run uname -a to confirm the kernel version. Verify network connectivity via WiFi or USB Ethernet. For Android, the launcher should appear within 60 seconds; verify the build number in Settings > About Phone.

Recovery Instructions

If the board fails to boot after a flash attempt, re-enter recovery mode by reinstalling the recovery jumper and power-cycling. The board will present itself as a fastboot device on the USB bus. Confirm detection with fastboot devices, then re-flash the L-Loader, UEFI firmware, and system images in order. Recovery mode erases all user data on the eMMC. If the board does not enumerate as a USB device even in recovery mode, verify the jumper positions and try a different USB cable and port.

Troubleshooting

  • Fastboot device not detected: Install HiSilicon USB drivers on Windows. On Linux, add a udev rule for the HiKey vendor ID (0x18d1). Try a different USB port.
  • L-Loader flash fails: Ensure you are using the LeMaker Edition L-Loader binary, not the CircuitCo variant. The binaries are not interchangeable.
  • WiFi not working after boot: Verify the TI WL1835MOD firmware files are present in /lib/firmware/ti-connectivity/. Some minimal images may omit wireless firmware.
  • HDMI no signal: Connect the HDMI cable before powering on. Try a different monitor or cable if the UEFI splash does not appear.
  • eMMC full or corrupted: Use fastboot to erase and re-partition the eMMC: fastboot erase system followed by a full re-flash.

Related Guides

Author: LeMaker Documentation Team
Last updated: 2026-02-10