FlashOTG HarmonyOS · Legal

FlashOTG Disclaimer

Version: 1.0.0Last Updated: August 1, 2026Effective Date: August 1, 2026
Language English 中文

Declarant: FlashOTG App Developer (as an individual, hereinafter "the Declarant")
Applicable to: FlashOTG App (hereinafter "the Tool")

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This Tool is NOT developed, endorsed, sponsored by, or affiliated with Arduboy in any way. Arduboy is a registered trademark / product name of its respective rights holder.

PLEASE READ THIS DISCLAIMER CAREFULLY. By downloading, installing, or using the Tool, you acknowledge that you have fully understood and accepted all terms of this disclaimer. If you do not agree, immediately cease use and uninstall the Tool.

I. Nature of the Tool & Functional Positioning

1.1 Pure Utility Tool: The Tool is essentially a firmware flashing and data exporting utility, functionally limited to:

  • a) Writing user-provided .hex, .bin, or .arduboy files to Arduboy's Flash or external flash chip;
  • b) Reading flash content from Arduboy and saving it as BIN files.

1.2 Zero Firmware Hosting Commitment: The Declarant warrants that the Tool's installation package, local cache, and runtime memory contain absolutely no flashable Arduboy game firmware or applications. All firmware files to be flashed are provided solely by the user.

1.3 File Sources Are Entirely User-Determined: The Tool does not review, verify, or warrant the legality, security, integrity, or compatibility of any firmware files provided by the user. Users bear full responsibility for any files they choose to flash.

1.4 Non-Affiliation Statement: The Tool is a third-party utility developed independently for study and community assistance purposes. Any consequences arising from the use of this Tool are unrelated to Arduboy official.

1.5 Prohibition on Use by Minors: The Tool involves low-level hardware flashing, reading, and writing operations that pose safety risks including electric shock, short circuit, overheating, and permanent device damage. Minors under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited from using the Tool independently. If a minor needs to use the Tool, it must be done under the full-time accompaniment, guidance, and supervision of an adult guardian who possesses relevant technical knowledge and safety awareness. The guardian shall bear full legal responsibility for all consequences arising from the minor's use of the Tool (including but not limited to personal injury, property damage, and equipment damage). The Declarant assumes no liability for any damages caused by the use of the Tool by minors.

II. Hardware Operation Risks

Flashing and dumping operations involve direct reading and writing to Arduboy's underlying storage. You must acknowledge the following unavoidable hardware risks, for which the Declarant assumes NO liability:

2.1 Permanent Bricking Risk:

  • a) Incorrect firmware matching (e.g., flashing non-FX firmware to an FX model, or vice versa), unstable power supply, USB disconnection during flashing, incorrect write addresses, or file sizes exceeding device capacity may cause the Arduboy to become permanently unbootable (bricked);
  • b) Some bricking scenarios may require an ISP programmer (e.g., AVR-ISP) via ICSP pins for recovery, and recovery is not guaranteed.

2.2 Bootloader Corruption Risk:

  • a) Flashing incorrect firmware may overwrite or corrupt the Arduboy's bootloader, preventing the device from entering flashing mode properly.

2.3 External Flash Chip (FX Cart) Damage Risk:

  • a) Incorrect BIN file formats or write addresses may corrupt data partitions on the external flash chip, causing the game cart to become unrecognizable or permanently lost;
  • b) SPI Flash chips have limited write endurance (typically ~100,000 cycles). Frequent flashing may accelerate chip wear.

2.4 Data Risks in Export Operations:

  • a) When exporting firmware or EEPROM from the device, communication errors, device power-off, or permission issues may result in incomplete or corrupted BIN files;
  • b) The Declarant does not guarantee that exported BIN files can be successfully used for device recovery.

2.5 Peripheral Hardware Compatibility Risk:

  • a) The Tool is primarily designed for official Arduboy and Arduboy FX models. For DIY/homemade Arduboy devices (e.g., using Pro Micro, SH1106 displays, or other non-standard configurations), hardware differences may cause flashing failures or device damage. Users are responsible for verifying compatibility.

III. Firmware Sources & Intellectual Property

3.1 Users are solely responsible for ensuring that the firmware they use is from legitimate sources, complies with applicable open-source license terms (e.g., GPL, MIT, Apache 2.0), and does not infringe upon any third-party copyrights, trademarks, or other legal rights.

3.2 If the Tool includes redirection links to third-party websites, the Declarant only provides linking services and assumes no obligation to review, guarantee, or be jointly liable for the firmware content pointed to by such links.

3.3 Users may only use firmware files exported from their own Arduboy devices for personal backup, study, or research purposes, and may not distribute them commercially or for infringing purposes.

IV. User Safety Recommendations

4.1 It is strongly recommended to use the Tool's "Export / Backup" function to fully back up device contents before flashing.

4.2 It is strongly recommended to verify the SHA-256 / MD5 checksum of firmware files against official published values before flashing.

4.3 During flashing, ensure your mobile device has sufficient battery power and a stable USB connection. Avoid unplugging the cable or closing the Tool during the flashing process.

V. Privacy & Data

5.1 The Tool does NOT collect, upload, or store your device serial numbers, MAC addresses, flashing log contents, exported firmware data, or any personally identifiable information (PII). All permissions are used solely for the Tool's normal functional operation.

VI. Limitation of Liability

6.1 "AS-IS" Provision: The Tool is provided on an "AS-IS" and "AS-AVAILABLE" basis. The Declarant makes no express or implied warranties, including but not limited to warranties of fitness for a particular purpose, non-interruption, or error-free operation.

6.2 Maximum Liability Cap: Under no circumstances shall the Declarant be liable for:

  • a) Permanent device damage (bricking) or hardware destruction;
  • b) Data loss (including game progress, EEPROM saved data, etc.);
  • c) Lost profits, business interruption, or any indirect or incidental damages.

If the Tool causes any loss to you, liability is capped at the purchase price you paid for the Tool (the Tool is free, so the liability cap is zero).

6.3 User Assumes Final Responsibility: Each click of the "Flash" or "Export" button signifies that you fully acknowledge and voluntarily assume all operational risks. You are solely responsible for your hardware and your actions.

VII. Right of Final Interpretation

7.1 The final right to interpret this disclaimer rests with the Declarant. This clause serves to provide clear guidance in ambiguities and ensure fair implementation, and is not intended to impose unilateral or unreasonable terms.

Final Notice: This Tool is a community-driven free tool designed to facilitate study and research for Arduboy enthusiasts. Exploration comes with risks. Every flash is your own choice as a maker.

Declarant: FlashOTG App Developer
Contact: flashotg@foxmail.com
Publication Date: August 1, 2026