RP2350 Flashing and Wiring Instructions (USBLiter8)
This guide explains how to place a supported RP2350 board into its built-in USB bootloader and copy the matching .uf2 firmware file. Always use the firmware whose filename exactly matches your board.
| RP2350 Boards | Firmware File |
|---|---|
|
Waveshare RP2350 USB-A |
usbliter8.waveshare_rp2350_usb_a.uf2 |
|
Raspberry Pi Pico 2 |
usbliter8.pico2.uf2 |
|
Waveshare RP2350 Zero |
usbliter8.waveshare_rp2350_zero.uf2 |
|
Pimoroni TINY2350 |
usbliter8.pimoroni_tiny2350.uf2 |
RP2350 Flashing Instructions
Requirements :-
Supported Board
Reliable USB Data Cable
Windows PC or Mac
Correct UF2 file from the download package
Important Safety Notes
- Do not disconnect the board while the UF2 file is copying.
- Do not rename one board’s firmware and use it on another board.
- Use USB cable that supports data transfer (Note:- charge-only cables will not show the boot drive).
1. Waveshare RP2350 USB-A
Correct Firmware :- usbliter8.waveshare_rp2350_usb_a.uf2
Boot Button :- BOOT
USB Drive Name :- RPI-RP2 or RP2350
Flashing Steps :-
Disconnect the board from the computer.
Press and hold the BOOT button.
While continuing to hold the button, connect the board to the computer with a USB data cable.
Release the button after the RPI-RP2 or RP2350 USB drive appears.
Copy usbliter8.waveshare_rp2350_usb_a.uf2 onto that drive.
Wait until the copy completes. The drive should disconnect automatically as the board reboots.
Reconnect the board normally without holding the boot button.
Board Note:-
This model includes a USB-A host connector. Use the USB-C connector to connect the board to the computer for flashing.
2. Raspberry Pi Pico 2
Correct Firmware :- usbliter8.pico2.uf2
Boot Button :- BOOTSEL
USB Drive Name :- RPI-RP2
Flashing Steps :-
Disconnect the board from the computer.
Press and hold the BOOTSEL button.
While continuing to hold the button, connect the board to the computer with a USB data cable.
Release the button after the RPI-RP2 USB drive appears.
Copy usbliter8.pico2.uf2 onto that drive.
Wait until the copy completes. The drive should disconnect automatically as the board reboots.
Reconnect the board normally without holding the boot button.
Board Note:-
Use the firmware only for the standard Raspberry Pi Pico 2 shown here. Do not assume it is suitable for unrelated RP2350 boards.
3. Waveshare RP2350 Zero
Correct Firmware :- usbliter8.waveshare_rp2350_zero.uf2
Boot Button :- BOOT
USB Drive Name :- RPI-RP2 or RP2350
Flashing Steps :-
Disconnect the board from the computer.
Press and hold the BOOTÂ button.
While continuing to hold the button, connect the board to the computer with a USB data cable.
Release the button after the RPI-RP2 or RP2350 USB drive appears.
Copy usbliter8.waveshare_rp2350_zero.uf2 onto that drive.
Wait until the copy completes. The drive should disconnect automatically as the board reboots.
Reconnect the board normally without holding the boot button.
Board Note:-
Confirm that the board is the RP2350-Zero model, not an RP2040 Zero. The firmware is not interchangeable.
4. Pimoroni TINY2350
Correct Firmware :- usbliter8.pimoroni_tiny2350.uf2
Boot Button :- BOOT
USB Drive Name :- RPI-RP2
Flashing Steps :-
Disconnect the board from the computer.
Press and hold the BOOTÂ button.
While continuing to hold the button, connect the board to the computer with a USB data cable.
Release the button after the RPI-RP2 USB drive appears.
Copy usbliter8.pimoroni_tiny2350.uf2Â onto that drive.
Wait until the copy completes. The drive should disconnect automatically as the board reboots.
Reconnect the board normally without holding the boot button.
Board Note:-
Use the button marked BOOT. The second button is RESET (Do not hold RESET by itself when entering bootloader mode).
Troubleshooting
No USB drive appears
Use another USB data cable and USB port. Hold BOOT or BOOTSEL before connecting the board. Avoid charge-only cables.
The drive appears, then disappears immediately
Repeat the bootloader procedure. Make sure the button is held before power is applied.
Windows asks to format the drive
Cancel the format prompt. Disconnect the board and retry bootloader mode.
- The UF2 file will not copy
Confirm the file is fully extracted from the ZIP archive and is not still being opened inside a compressed-folder viewer.
The board does not reboot
Wait at least 10 seconds, disconnect it, then reconnect normally. Re-enter bootloader mode and flash again if necessary.
Wrong firmware was copied
Re-enter bootloader mode and copy the correct UF2 file for the exact board model.
RP2350 Wiring Instructions
- For boards without an onboard USB-A host connector
Use the cut Lightning end of a Lightning-to-USB-A cable. The Waveshare RP2350 USB-A board does not require soldered wiring; connect the Lightning cable directly to its USB-A port.
- Board-Specific Pin Mapping
| Board | Red +5V | Black GND | Green D+ | White D- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Raspberry Pi Pico 2 |
VBUS (pin 40) |
GND (pin 38) |
GP12 (pin 16) |
GP13 (pin 17) |
|
RP2350 Zero |
VBUS / 5V |
GND |
GP12 |
GP13 |
|
Pimoroni TINY2350 |
5V / VBUS |
GND |
GP2 |
GP3 |
- Important
Do not connect the red +5V wire to a 3V3 pin. Use only VBUS or the pad marked 5V.
- Verify The Cable
Wire colors are typical, not guaranteed. Identify +5V, GND, D+ and D- with a multimeter before soldering.
- Data Pin Difference
TINY2350 firmware uses GP2 for D+ and GP3 for D-. It does not use GP12/GP13.
1. Raspberry Pi Pico 2 Wiring (D+ = GP2 - D- = GP3)
Correct Firmware :- usbliter8.pico2.uf2
Power :- Red -> VBUS physical pin 40; Black -> GND physical pin 38
USB D+ :- Green -> GP12 physical pin 16
USB D- :- White -> GP13 physical pin 17
Wiring Steps :-
Flash usbliter8.pico2.uf2 using BOOTSEL and the RPI-RP2 drive.
With the rear silkscreen facing you and the USB connector on the right, use VBUS at the upper-right corner and the nearby GND pad.
Connect green D+ to GP12 and white D- to GP13 on the lower edge. GP12 and GP13 are adjacent.
Verify continuity from the Lightning plug to all four solder joints before use.
Board Note:-
Do not use VSYS or 3V3 for the red cable wire. The required power connection is VBUS.
2. Waveshare RP2350 Zero Wiring (D+ = GP12 - D- = GP13)
Correct Firmware :- usbliter8.waveshare_rp2350_zero.uf2
Power :- Red -> VBUS / 5V; Black -> GND
USB D+ :- Green -> GP12
USB D- :- White -> GP13
Wiring Steps :-
- Flash the matching RP2350 Zero UF2 before soldering or testing the Lightning lead.
- Solder red to the pad marked 5V/VBUS and black to the adjacent GND pad near the USB-C connector.
- Solder green D+ to GP12 and white D- to GP13. Keep the exposed data wires short.
- Check for shorts between 5V and GND, and between GP12 and GP13, before applying power.
Board Note :-
Confirm the board is RP2350-Zero, not RP2040-Zero. The firmware is not interchangeable.
3. Pimoroni TINY2350 (D+ = GP2 - D- = GP3)
Correct Firmware :- usbliter8.pimoroni_tiny2350.uf2
Power :- Red -> 5V/VBUS; Black -> GND
USB D+ :- Green -> GP2
USB D- :- White -> GP3
Wiring Steps :-
Flash usbliter8.pimoroni_tiny2350.uf2 before connecting the cut Lightning cable.
With USB-C at the top, connect red to the top-left 5V pad and black to the GND pad directly below it.
Connect green D+ to GP2 and white D- to GP3 on the right edge. These are the third and fourth GPIO pads from the USB end.
Inspect for solder bridges and verify that GP2 and GP3 are not shorted together.
Board Note :-
This board is different: its firmware configures D+ on GP2 and D- on GP3.
Final Checks, Operation & Troubleshooting
Complete these checks before connecting a device:
Multimeter Checklist
- No short between VBUS/5V and GND.
- No short between D+ and D-.
- Red wire reaches the Lightning cable power conductor.
- Black wire reaches the Lightning cable ground conductor.
- Green and white data wires reach the correct conductors.
- No loose strands or exposed wire can touch another pad.
After Flashing and Wiring
Put the Apple device into normal DFU mode while connected to a Mac or PC.
Disconnect it from the computer and connect the Lightning lead to the RP2350 board.
The operation normally completes in about 0.7 to 1.2 seconds.
After success or failure, reboot the RP2350 board before trying again.
Reconnect the Apple device to the computer and verify the PWND marker.
LED Status Reference :-
| State | RGB LED Board | Single-Color LED Board |
|---|---|---|
|
Booting |
Blinking Orange |
Slow Blink |
|
Ready |
Steady Orange |
Breathing |
|
In Progress |
Blue |
Rapid Blink |
|
Failure |
Red |
Off |
Common Problems :-
No Board LED / No Power
Recheck VBUS/5V and GND. Confirm the cut cable conductors with a meter.
Device does not Respond
Confirm the correct UF2, correct data pins, DFU mode, and that D+ / D- are not reversed.
Red LED or LED Turns Off
Reboot the RP2350 board, inspect solder joints and retry with a shorter Lightning lead.
- TINY2350 Fails with GP12/GP13
Move D+ and D- to GP2 and GP3; the TINY2350 build uses those pins.
Note :-
Use only on devices you own or are explicitly authorized to test. Keep the board disconnected while changing wiring.
