How to Install Marauder Firmware on Flipper Zero WiFi Devboard (2026 Guide)

PINGEQUA Lab · Flipper Wi-Fi · 6 min read · Updated 2026-06-25

Flashing Marauder onto a Flipper Zero Wi-Fi Devboard used to mean esptool, COM ports and DFU gymnastics. It doesn't anymore — you can do the whole thing in your browser. Here's the fast way, plus an on-device method and a full troubleshooting table.

Quick answer To install Marauder on the Flipper Zero Wi-Fi Devboard (ESP32-S2), open flash.pingequa.com in desktop Chrome or Edge, plug the devboard into your computer with a USB-C data cable, let it auto-detect the board, choose Marauder, and click flash — the tool handles download mode for you. No esptool, no Python, no install. To run Marauder, your Flipper also needs the Marauder companion app, which ships with custom firmware (Unleashed, RogueMaster, Momentum).

What Marauder is

ESP32 Marauder is an open-source Wi-Fi/Bluetooth security-research firmware by justcallmekoko, built for ESP32-class chips. On the Flipper's WiFi Devboard (an ESP32-S2) it adds AP/client scanning, packet sniffing and capture to .pcap, beacon/probe tools, deauth, and an Evil Portal — driven from a companion app on the Flipper screen. Note: the ESP32-S2 is 2.4 GHz only; for 5 GHz work you need a dual-band board such as the BW16-based 5Ghost (see 5Ghost vs ESP32 Marauder).

For authorized testing and education only. Use Marauder only on networks and devices you own or have explicit written permission to test. You are responsible for compliance with local law and radio regulations (e.g. FCC Part 15 in the US, CE / RED in the EU).

What you'll need

Item Notes
Flipper Zero Running custom firmware (Unleashed / RogueMaster / Momentum) that includes the Marauder companion app — or install the app manually from Flipper Lab
Wi-Fi Devboard (ESP32-S2) The PINGEQUA ESP32-S2 Wi-Fi Devboard ships Marauder-ready
USB-C data cable Must carry data — charge-only cables won't be detected
Chrome or Edge (desktop) The web flasher uses the Web Serial API; Safari and stable Firefox don't support it

Method 1 — Flash in your browser (recommended)

This is the fastest, most beginner-friendly route — nothing to install, it all runs in the browser, and the flasher manages the boot/reset timing that trips people up with esptool.

  1. Disconnect the devboard from the Flipper and plug it directly into your computer's USB-C port with a data cable.
  2. Open flash.pingequa.com in desktop Chrome or Edge. The flasher auto-detects your board (or pick "Flipper WiFi Devboard" from the list).
  3. Click connect and choose your device's serial port in the browser popup. If your OS asks for a driver, install the CP210x / CH340 driver and reconnect.
  4. Choose Marauder and click flash. The tool enters download mode, erases, writes and verifies automatically. Don't unplug until it finishes.
  5. Reboot and dock. When it reports complete, reseat the devboard on the Flipper's GPIO header.
Board not detected / stuck? Put it into DFU manually: hold the BOOT button, tap RESET, release BOOT, then reconnect in the flasher. Most "won't connect" cases are a charge-only cable or a missing serial driver.

Method 2 — Flash from the Flipper (no computer)

If your Flipper runs Unleashed, RogueMaster, or Momentum, you can flash the devboard on-device with the built-in ESP Flasher app:

  1. Download the latest Marauder _flipper.bin from the ESP32 Marauder releases and copy it to your Flipper SD card.
  2. Dock the devboard, open Apps → GPIO → ESP Flasher (or the WiFi Marauder app's flasher).
  3. Choose Manual Flash, select the .bin, and confirm. Keep the Flipper above ~50% battery; it reboots when done.

Verify it works

  1. Seat the devboard firmly on the Flipper's expansion header.
  2. Open Apps → GPIO → [ESP32] WiFi Marauder.
  3. Run Scan → APs. A live list of nearby networks (SSID, MAC, signal) means it's working.

Common errors and fixes

Symptom Likely cause Fix
Serial port list is empty Charge-only USB cable Use a data-capable cable; try another USB port
Flash won't start / stuck Board not in download mode Manual DFU: hold BOOT, tap RESET, release BOOT, reconnect
"Failed to connect to ESP32" Missing Windows serial driver Install the CP210x / CH340 driver, restart, retry
"Web Serial is not supported" Unsupported browser Use desktop Chrome or Edge (Safari and stable Firefox don't support Web Serial)
Flipper doesn't detect the board Companion app too old Update the Marauder app to the version your firmware requires
Can't save PCAP files Devboard has no SD slot Use a build/board with onboard storage, or capture over serial

FAQ

Do I need a PC or any software to flash Marauder?
No install. You need a desktop computer with Chrome or Edge and a USB-C data cable. Everything runs in the browser at flash.pingequa.com, which handles download mode for you.
Which browsers work for the web flasher?
Desktop Chrome and Edge (and other Chromium browsers like Opera); Chrome on Android also works in recent versions. Safari and stable Firefox don't support the Web Serial API.
Does Marauder work on official Flipper firmware?
The Marauder companion app ships with custom firmware (Unleashed, RogueMaster, Momentum). On official firmware you can install the esp32_wifi_marauder app manually from Flipper Lab.
Does the ESP32-S2 devboard do 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
No — the ESP32-S2 is 2.4 GHz only. For 5 GHz, use a dual-band BW16 board such as the 5Ghost.
How do I update Marauder later?
Re-run the browser flasher at flash.pingequa.com and flash the latest build, or use the on-device ESP Flasher. Keep the Flipper companion app updated to match.

Need the board?

The PINGEQUA ESP32-S2 Wi-Fi Devboard ships Marauder-ready and reflashes in your browser at flash.pingequa.com.

ESP32-S2 Wi-Fi Devboard → Need 5 GHz? 5Ghost →

Sources & further reading: ESP32 Marauder — official wiki and releases; web flasher — flash.pingequa.com; Web Serial API — MDN. Verified June 2026.

For authorized security testing and education only. Test only networks and devices you own or have explicit written permission to test. You are responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and radio regulations. "Flipper Zero" and "ESP32 Marauder" are referenced for compatibility; PINGEQUA is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by their owners.

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