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Flash guide · Method 2 of 5

Flash via SD card

~5 min Easy X3 (locked or unlocked)

On a locked Xteink X3, copy update.bin to an SD card, hold two buttons, and the OEM bootloader flashes firmware from the card. USB is for power only. This is the locked-unit path that works from stock.

Works on the X3 only

The button combo in step 3 does not engage from Xteink X4 stock firmware. On a locked X4, use the OTA Unlocker.

How to flash the Xteink X3 from an SD card

About five minutes. The X3 OEM bootloader writes the firmware from the card.

  1. Copy update.bin to the SD card root

    The file must sit at the top level of the card, not in a subfolder.

  2. Insert the card and plug in USB power

    Plug USB in for power only. The X3 still flashes from the card.

  3. Hold the left-side button + power button together

    Keep both held until the OEM bootloader screen appears on the X3.

  4. Let it flash

    The bootloader detects update.bin and flashes it.

USB flashing stays locked. This installs firmware. It does not re-enable USB flashing on a locked unit.

After the flash, load books

Once the X3 boots, send books with Calibre or OPDS. Fonts, themes, and sleep screens come after.

Load your books Fonts and themes

SD card flash troubleshooting

If the X3 boots normally or the buttons do nothing, start here.

Device boots normally, doesn't flash
update.bin is probably in a subfolder. It must sit at the card root, named exactly update.bin, not firmware.bin or update (1).bin.
Button combo does nothing on X4
That combo only works on the X3 from stock firmware. For a locked Xteink X4, use the OTA Unlocker.
In-app SD update refuses to run
The in-app SD update is a CrossPoint feature from 1.3.0 (PR #1786). This page is the stock-bootloader path. It needs no CrossPoint and works from stock on the X3. On a locked X4, use the OTA Unlocker.
Flash completes but device won't boot
Hold power for 5 to 10 seconds to force a reboot. If the Xteink stays stuck, the update.bin may be corrupt. Re-download it and retry.

Other errors are in the Xteink firmware help & FAQ.

Owner kit

A light and a case after setup

X3 and X4 ship without a front light. A clip-on is the usual first add-on.

  • eReader Magnetic Reading Light

    eReader Magnetic Reading Light

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  • X4 Pro Magnetic Case

    X4 Pro Magnetic Case

    Official
    $8.99
    Buy

Kit it on accessories .