T48 for Tab5

Firmware v1.0: an M5Stack Tab5 and its keyboard as a stand-alone programmer for an XGecu T48. Source, docs and licence (GPL-3.0) on GitHub.

The main screen

1. Install the firmware

  1. Use Chrome or Edge on a desktop (Web Serial is needed; Safari and Firefox do not have it).
  2. Connect the Tab5's USB-C port to the computer and switch the Tab5 on.
  3. Click Install below and choose the Tab5's port (it is usually called USB JTAG/serial debug unit).
This browser cannot flash devices. Use Chrome or Edge on a desktop computer. The page must be opened over https.

If no port shows up or the install fails: hold the Tab5's power button to put it in download mode, then try again. Installing replaces whatever firmware the Tab5 had.

2. Prepare the SD card

  1. Download the SD card zip from the latest release (t48-for-tab5-sdcard-v1.0.zip).
  2. Format a microSD card as FAT32 (the Tab5 cannot read exFAT; cards over 32 GB usually come as exFAT).
  3. Unzip it onto the card so the card has a burner folder at its top level, and put the card in the Tab5.

3. Connect and set up

  1. Clip on the Tab5 Keyboard, plug the T48 into the Tab5's USB-A port, and restart the Tab5.
  2. Wi-Fi: the first time, the Tab5 opens a T48-for-Tab5-XXXX hotspot. Join it from a phone (press N on the Tab5 for a QR code); the setup page opens by itself. Pick your network and type its password.
  3. Press P to choose a chip, then B, R, W, V for blank check, read, write and verify. Upload ROM images from a browser at the address shown in the Tab5's header.