# Flash system with PCAT
Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-88500-5/topic/using_pcat_tool.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-88500-5/topic/using_pcat_tool.html)
## About this task
**Prerequisites:**
- Ensure that QUD, QUTS, and PCAT tools are installed.
- Ensure that the QRB5165 system software is available with all required executable
binaries.
Note: For more information, see a selected software Release Notes from
Qualcomm.
The following procedure provides information on how to download system
software on to the device by using the PCAT tool.
To enter the Qualcomm Download (QDL)
mode, do the following:
## Procedure
1. With USB and power not plugged in, hold down the **F\_DL** key.
2. Connect the device to the host system through the USB Type-C.
3. Connect the device to a +12-V wall power supply.
4. After the device is visible in the download or 9008 mode, release the **F\_DL** key. The download or 9008 mode is visible on the PCAT tool interface.
Figure : F\_DL key

5. To check if the `QTI_HS-USB_QDLoader` driver is available in the installed directory, run the following command on the host:
ls –la /dev/Q*Copy to clipboard
**Sample output:**
crw-rw-rw- 1 root root 242 0 Dec 10 10:51
/dev/QTI_HS-USB_QDLoader_9008_3-8:1.0
6. To verify whether the device has entered the QDL mode, run the following command on the host:
lsusb Copy to clipboard
**Sample output:**
Bus 002 Device 014: ID 05c6:9008 Qualcomm, Inc. Gobi Wireless Modem (QDL
mode)
7. To check if the device is recognized by the PCAT, run the following command on the host:
pcat -devicesCopy to clipboard
**Sample output:**
Searching devices in Device Manger, please wait for a moment…
ID | DEVICE TYPE | DEVICE STATE | SERIAL NUMBER | ADB SERIAL NUMBER | DESCRIPTION |
| EDL | d16770b2 | Qualcomm USB Composite Device: QUSB_BULK_CID:0404_SN:D16770B2
8. Download the system software.
1. To download the meta build, run the following command on the host:
PCAT –PLUGIN SD -DEVICE -BUILD “/contents.xml” -MEMORYTYPE UFS -FLAVOR asicCopy to clipboard
2. To download the flat build, run the following command on the host:
PCAT –PLUGIN SD -DEVICE -BUILD “” -MEMORYTYPE UFS -FLAVOR asicCopy to clipboard
**Parent Topic:** [Flash RB5 software](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-88500-5/topic/prepare_rb5_kit_for_flashing.html)
Last Published: Nov 25, 2025
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