# Update the Qualcomm Linux software
Note
Qualcomm Visual Studio Code Extension isn’t available in the QLI 2.0 RC3 release. It will be available in a future release.
To update the software on your Qualcomm^®^ Dragonwing^TM^ IQ-9075 Evaluation Kit (EVK), download and flash the prebuilt images of the latest software.
You can update the software using one of the following methods:
Caution
During the software update with the prebuilt images, all the data on your device is erased and a new image is installed. Back up important data before you start.
Use the Qualcomm Visual Code Extension to update the software
>
>
> Update the software using the Qualcomm Visual Code Extension, an integrated application development environment. For instructions, see the [Qualcomm Visual Studio Code Extension Reference Guide](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-79972-1/user_guide.html#device-flashing). The IQ-9075 EVK supports Qualcomm Visual Studio Code Extension v2.0.0 or later.
https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-79972-1/quick_start.html
Use a host computer to manually update the software
>
>
> Update the software manually from a Ubuntu, Windows, or mac-based host computer. For instructions, see [Update the Qualcomm Linux software manually using a host computer](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-update-the-sw.html#update-sw-manually).
https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-update-the-sw.html#update-sw-manually
Use over-the-air tools to update the software
>
>
> Update the software incrementally using over-the-air (OTA) update tools including the Capsule mechanism and the OSTree tool. For instructions, see the [Qualcomm Linux Yocto Guide](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-80022-27/update_fw_and_os_qualcomm_linux_using_capsule_and_ostree_mechanisms.html).
https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-80022-27/update_fw_and_os_qualcomm_linux_using_capsule_and_ostree_mechanisms.html
## Update the Qualcomm Linux software manually using a host computer
The following workflow shows the steps to upgrade the software manually from a host computer.
**Figure: Software upgrade workflow of Qualcomm Dragonwing IQ-9075 EVK**
### Prerequisites
- Back up any important data on your Dragonwing IQ-9075 device.
- Verify that the host computer has enough free storage. The software and its artifacts require at least 21 GB of space.
### Procedure
To update the Qualcomm Linux software, complete the following steps based on the operating system of your host computer.
Tab Ubuntu
Tab Windows
Tab macOS
- *class* tabincludedirective
- #### Download the software
1. [Download the software image](https://artifacts.codelinaro.org/artifactory/qli-ci/flashable-binaries/meta-qcom/iq-9075-evk/qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip).
2. Unzip the downloaded file on the development host by running the following command:
>
>
> unzip qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip
> Copy to clipboard
#### Force the device into emergency download mode
Typically, the device enters emergency download (EDL) mode under two conditions:
- The device doesn’t have installed software upon initial power-up.
- The currently installed software malfunctions.
To flash the software, you must manually force the device into EDL mode. Follow these steps to do so:
1. Turn on the SW2-3 DIP switch by pushing it up.
The following figure shows the location and position of SW2-3 DIP switch.

**Figure: Location of the SW2-3 DIP switch**
2. [Power up the device.](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-set-up-the-device.html#power-up-the-device)
3. Connect the device to the host computer through the USB Type-C connector.
4. Verify whether the device has entered EDL mode by running the following command on the host computer:
lsusb
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**Sample output**
Bus 002 Device 014: ID 05c6:9008 Qualcomm, Inc. Gobi Wireless Modem (QDL mode)
Note
Turn off the SW2-3 DIP switch after flashing the software.
#### Update udev rules
Udev rules ensure consistent device recognition and naming, facilitate seamless hardware changes, and allow dynamic device management. You must configure the `udev` USB rules for the Qualcomm manufacturing vendor ID **05c6** on the Ubuntu host.
To update the udev rules on your Ubuntu host, do the following:
1. Go to the directory of udev rules by running the following command:
cd /etc/udev/rules.d
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2. List the contents of the directory by running the following command:
ls
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3. Verify if the `51-qcom-usb.rules` file is present in the list.
- If the `51-qcom-usb.rules` file is not present, do the following:
>
>
> 1. Create a `51-qcom-usb.rules` file by running the following command:
>
>
> sudo vi 51-qcom-usb.rules
> Copy to clipboard
> 2. Add the following content to the file:
>
>
>
> >
> >
> > SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="05c6", ATTRS{idProduct}=="9008", MODE="0664", GROUP="plugdev"
> > Copy to clipboard
- If the `51-qcom-usb.rules` file exists, do the following:
>
>
> 1. View the contents of the file by running the following command:
>
>
>
> >
> >
> > cat 51-qcom-usb.rules
> > Copy to clipboard
> 2. Check if the following content is present in the file:
>
>
>
> >
> >
> > SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="05c6", ATTRS{idProduct}=="9008", MODE="0664", GROUP="plugdev"
> > Copy to clipboard
4. Restart `udev` by running the following command:
sudo systemctl restart udev
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5. If the USB cable is already connected to the host computer, unplug the cable and then reconnect it for the updated rules to take effect.
#### Flash using the QDL tool
The Qualcomm Download (QDL) tool is a flashing utility that communicates with USB devices identified by ID **05c6:9008**. The tool uploads a flash loader to the device, which then flashes the images to the universal flash storage (UFS) built into the device.
To flash using the QDL tool, do the following:
1. Download the [QDL tool](https://softwarecenter.qualcomm.com/catalog/item/Qualcomm_Device_Loader).
2. Unzip the contents of the downloaded folder.
3. Provide executable permission by running the following command:
chmod +x ./qdl
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For more information about QDL tool usage, see the **QDL\_User\_Guide** in your unzipped `qdl` directory.
4. Flash the images as follows:
Important
If you are flashing Qualcomm Linux software for the first time, you must perform a one-time [UFS provisioning](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-faqs.html#provision-ufs).
1. Flash the Safety Island (SAIL) firmware by running the following commands:
cd /images/iq-9075-evk/qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image-iq-9075-evk/sail_nor
Copy to clipboard
The `` is the file path of extracted `qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip` folder.
/qdl --storage spinor prog_firehose_ddr.elf rawprogram0.xml patch0.xml
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The `` is the directory of QDL tool.
Note
If flashing fails, see [How to troubleshoot flashing-related issues](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-faqs.html#flash-issues) for further help.
2. Flash the Qualcomm Linux software by running the following commands:
cd /images/iq-9075-evk/qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image-iq-9075-evk
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The `` is the file path of extracted `qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip` folder.
/qdl --storage ufs prog_firehose_ddr.elf rawprogram*.xml patch*.xml
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The `` is the directory of QDL tool.
Note
Turn off the SW2-3 DIP switch after flashing the software.
5. After flashing and successfully rebooting the device, you can view the device information in the terminal window by running the following command:
lsusb
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The line 4 of the following sample output shows the device information.
# Sample output
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 05c6:9135 Qualcomm, Inc. iq-9075-evk
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
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- *class* tabincludedirective
- #### Download the software
1. [Download the software image](https://artifacts.codelinaro.org/artifactory/qli-ci/flashable-binaries/meta-qcom/iq-9075-evk/qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip).
2. Unzip the downloaded file on the development host by running the following command:
>
>
> unzip qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip
> Copy to clipboard
#### Force the device into emergency download mode
Typically, the device enters emergency download (EDL) mode under two conditions:
- The device doesn’t have installed software upon initial power-up.
- The currently installed software malfunctions.
To flash the software, you must manually force the device into EDL mode.
To force a device into EDL mode, turn on the SW2-3 DIP switch by pushing it up. The following figure shows the location and position of SW2-3 DIP switch.
>
>
> 
>
> **Figure: Location of the SW2-3 DIP switch**
Note
Turn off the SW2-3 DIP switch after flashing the software.
#### Flash using the QDL tool
The Qualcomm Download (QDL) tool is a flashing utility that communicates with USB devices identified by ID **05c6:9008**. The tool uploads a flash loader to the device, which then flashes the images to the universal flash storage (UFS) built into the device.
To flash using the QDL tool, do the following:
1. Uninstall any other drivers for the device. Ensure that drivers such as Qualcomm USB driver aren’t installed. The device shouldn’t appear under **COM Ports** in **Device Manager**.
2. Download the [QDL tool](https://softwarecenter.qualcomm.com/#/catalog/item/Qualcomm_Device_Loader).
3. Unzip the contents of the downloaded folder.
4. Run the `install_driver.bat` script from the unzipped QDL directory.
5. Flash the images as follows:
Important
If you are flashing Qualcomm Linux software for the first time, you must perform a one-time [UFS provisioning](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-faqs.html#provision-ufs).
1. Flash the Safety Island (SAIL) firmware by running the following commands:
cd /images/iq-9075-evk/qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image-iq-9075-evk/sail_nor
Copy to clipboard
The `` is the file path of extracted `qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip` folder.
.\qdl.exe --storage spinor prog_firehose_ddr.elf rawprogram0.xml patch0.xml
Copy to clipboard
2. Flash the Qualcomm Linux software by running the following commands:
cd /images/iq-9075-evk/qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image-iq-9075-evk
Copy to clipboard
The `` is the file path of extracted `qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip` folder.
.\qdl.exe prog_firehose_ddr.elf rawprogram0.xml rawprogram1.xml rawprogram2.xml rawprogram3.xml rawprogram4.xml patch0.xml patch1.xml patch2.xml patch3.xml patch4.xml
Copy to clipboard
Note
Turn off the SW2-3 DIP switch after flashing the software.
- *class* tabincludedirective
- #### Download the software
1. [Download the software image](https://artifacts.codelinaro.org/artifactory/qli-ci/flashable-binaries/meta-qcom/iq-9075-evk/qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip).
2. Unzip the downloaded file on the development host by running the following command:
>
>
> unzip qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip
> Copy to clipboard
#### Force the device into emergency download mode
Typically, the device enters emergency download (EDL) mode under two conditions:
- The device doesn’t have installed software upon initial power-up.
- The currently installed software malfunctions.
To flash the software, you must manually force the device into EDL mode. Follow these steps to do so:
1. Turn on the SW2-3 DIP switch by pushing it up.
The following figure shows the location and position of SW2-3 DIP switch.

**Figure: Location of the SW2-3 DIP switch**
2. [Power up the device.](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-set-up-the-device.html#power-up-the-device)
3. Connect the device to the host computer through the USB Type-C connector.
4. Verify whether the device has entered EDL mode by running the following command on the host computer:
ioreg -p IOUSB
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or
system_profiler SPUSBDataType
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**Sample output**
Bus 002 Device 014: ID 05c6:9008 Qualcomm, Inc. Gobi Wireless Modem (QDL mode)
Note
Turn off the SW2-3 DIP switch after flashing the software.
#### Flash using QDL tool
The Qualcomm Download (QDL) tool is a flashing utility that communicates with USB devices identified by ID **05c6:9008**. The tool uploads a flash loader to the device, which then flashes the images to the universal flash storage (UFS) built into the device.
To flash using the QDL tool, do the following:
1. Download the [QDL tool](https://softwarecenter.qualcomm.com/catalog/item/Qualcomm_Device_Loader).
2. Unzip the contents of the downloaded folder.
For more information about QDL tool usage, see the **QDL\_User\_Guide** in your unzipped `qdl` directory.
3. Flash the images as follows:
Important
If you are flashing Qualcomm Linux software for the first time, you must perform a one-time [UFS provisioning](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-faqs.html#provision-ufs).
1. Flash the Safety Island (SAIL) firmware by running the following commands:
cd /images/iq-9075-evk/qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image-iq-9075-evk/sail_nor
Copy to clipboard
The `` is the file path of extracted `qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip` folder.
/qdl --storage spinor prog_firehose_ddr.elf rawprogram0.xml patch0.xml
Copy to clipboard
The `` is the directory of QDL tool.
Note
If flashing fails, see [How to troubleshoot flashing-related issues](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-faqs.html#flash-issues) for further help.
2. Flash the Qualcomm Linux software by running the following commands:
cd /images/iq-9075-evk/qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image-iq-9075-evk
Copy to clipboard
The `` is the file path of extracted `qli-2.0-rc3-qcom-multimedia-proprietary-image.zip` folder.
/qdl prog_firehose_ddr.elf rawprogram*.xml patch*.xml
Copy to clipboard
The `` is the directory of QDL tool.
Note
Turn off the SW2-3 DIP switch after flashing the software.
4. After flashing and successfully rebooting the device, you can view the device information in the terminal window by running the following command:
ioreg -p IOUSB
Copy to clipboard
or
system_profiler SPUSBDataType
Copy to clipboard
The line 4 of the following sample output shows the device information.
# Sample output
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 05c6:9135 Qualcomm, Inc. iq-9075-evk
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
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## Next steps
1. [Set up the device](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-set-up-the-device.html#iq9-ug-set-up-the-device).
2. [Run multimedia or AI sample applications](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-80022-261/topic/iq9-ug-run-sample-apps.html#iq9-ug-run-sample-applications).
Last Published: May 21, 2026
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