Flipper Zero

Flipper Zero- How True Is This Trending Tiktok Gadget? 2023

Have you encountered a toy-like hacker tool that became viral on Tiktok for hacking into digital systems?

The official name of the gadget is Flipper Zero, inspired by the Pwnagotchi project with a toy-like body mainly designed for hardware exploration and software debugging. The device makes your projects fun and interactive with the assistance of a cyber dolphin.

It is a pen testing tool with enhanced functionality capable of

  • Interacting with digital systems having RFID locks (low and high-frequency cards).
  • Emulating the IR remote control (TV, AC, LED lights).
  • Debugging hardware using built-in GPIO pins.
  • Connecting with NFC devices.

In this article, let’s look at some of the features and applications of the product. You can use this link to buy from the official website.

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Let us Dive Into The Details:

Product Overview and Technical Specifications:

flipper zero
Flipper Zero

Image Credits© FlipperZero

The Flipper Zero comes with a 1.4” monochrome LCD, a 5-button directional menu navigation pad beside the screen, and a back/exit button. The gadget runs on the FreeRTOS (Real Time Operating System), and has an STM-32 Micro Controller Unit containing 1024Kb flash memory and 256Kb Static RAM.

A LiPo battery powers the device with 2000mAh, which keeps the device running for approximately seven days. The Flipper Zero contains a USB C-type port for charging. The product allows you to read, write, and emulate cards, store IR remote settings, and has a 64GB MicroSD card slot for memory expansion.

The Flipper Zero is a portable easy-to-carry-around device weighing 102 grams. It consists of 3.3 CMOS-level GPIO pins capable of 5V input, and each supports up to 20mA supply. Concerning device communication, the gadget can be controlled using the mobile app. The Flipper Zero has Bluetooth LE 5.0 connectivity, a connection with low-frequency 125KHz RFID cards, and Near Field Communication (NFC) at 13.56 MHz.

Applications of the Flipper Zero Pen Tester Tool:

The key focus of the tool is a piece of hardware used to test bugs and run commands on devices and USB flash drives. You can connect hardware devices through the GPIO pins to run tests with this gadget. 

  • GPIO Pins: The Generic Purpose Input Output (GPIO) is a set of pins with no predetermined purpose until you provide its function with software. The Flipper Zero can write programs to provide specific functions to devices connected to the GPIO port.
  • NFC Technology: Use the NFC option to read, write, and emulate 13.56 MHz NFC smart cards used as access for transport, business cards, and bank cards.
  • Infrared: Scan any IR remote in your house and emulate it using the Flipper Zero to operate the devices using the Infrared blaster on the gadget. You can control TV, AC, LED lights, and other devices that have IR.
  • RFID Cards: Flipper Zero can read, write, and emulate cards with RFID tags. Simply choose the “Read” option from 125KHz → Menu → Read.
  • BadUSB: The gadget can be used as a BadUSB that can write commands to override control systems in a scripting language called DuckyScript. The Flipper Zero can identify itself as a human with Human Interface Device (recognized by computers), like the keyboard. 
  • Sub-1 GHz: The gadget is equipped with a 433MHz antenna and a CC1101 chip that can transmit the signal up to a range of 50 meters. Most of the garage doors, barriers, and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, such as pressure, temperature, and humidity, can be operated using Flipper Zero.

The data stored in the device can be managed by installing the Flipper Zero software on your computer. 

  • Connect the product to your computer via a USB cable.
  • You must install the computer software to access Flipper Zero on your PC.
  • Make sure to update the gadget’s firmware once a week. 
  • Once you install the software, you can manage all the data stored on your gadget.

Note: The gadget is autonomous, so you don’t need a PC to use Flipper Zero to run tests on hardware.

Also read:

Basic Operations and Controls:

The Flipper Zero is easy to operate though it carries out more heavy work with the programs and processor installed. 

  • Press and hold the Return/Exit button to turn ON the gadget.
  • To Reboot the gadget, press the Left directional and Return buttons simultaneously.
  • You can connect the Flipper Zero to your phone through Bluetooth and operate the gadget using the Mobile App.
    • Main Menu → Settings → Bluetooth → ON.
  • The device has multiple settings, such as Bluetooth ON/OFF, LCD notifications, Storage, Power, and System. 
  • Mount the SD card through the MicroSD card slot provided, and make sure to use high-quality cards. Once inserted, the device automatically reads the card. You can use Flipper Zero to format an old MicroSD card.
  • To update the firmware of Flipper Zero, you need to insert the SD card to ensure the files are saved during the update.

Advantages of Flipper Zero:

  • There’s no need for an external device to operate the device. 
  • It is compatible with multiple RFID access cards, high and low-frequency cards, Sub-1 GHz control systems, and a wide range of hardware.
  • It is highly portable and has a battery capacity of 2000mAh that can last for up to a week.
  • It allows the mode of modern-day usage, i.e, compatibility with mobile applications and computer software.
  • The price is less compared to the functionality limit of the device.

Where Can You Buy Flipper Zero?

You can buy the product using any of the links given below:

  1. Official website – FlipperZero
  2. Amazon webpage – Amazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Flipper Zero?

The Flipper Zero is a multi-tool gadget with a cyber-dolphin personality, capable of interacting with digital control systems and radio frequencies while performing firmware flashes and software debugging. Pentesters widely use it in hardware exploration.

Can you unlock car doors using Flipper Zero?

The answer is No. The gadget can only be used to access digital control systems, read, write, and emulate RFID cards, and for hardware exploration. The viral videos are mostly staged to bring curiosity among viewers.

Is Flipper Zero an illegal hacking device?

It is not an illegal tool. As promised by its manufacturer, the device has a hardware constraint to disable any forceful breach into security systems. The RFID blocker can be used to protect access cards. If you’re wondering, the device cannot hack into credit/debit cards as they are protected by 2-step authentication.

That’s all, Folks!

Though the device sounds like a threat, it is simply one of the multi-purpose tools a software geek may want in his collection. It eases how one functions with hardware testing, software debugging, and flash memory with a simple press of some buttons. 

What are you waiting for?

Start your hardware exploration journey with Flipper Zero and innovate, repair, and experiment on various control systems.

Share your experience with the gadget in the comments section. Tell us what we’ve missed. 

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