msm8916-openwrt

OpenWrt Project is a Linux operating system targeting embedded devices. Instead of trying to create a single, static firmware, OpenWrt provides a fully writable filesystem with package management. This frees you from the application selection and configuration provided by the vendor and allows you to customize the device through the use of packages to suit any application.

Features

Working Components

Modem: Fully functional with cellular connectivity
- ModemManager Rx/Tx stats not displayed in LuCI (known issue)
WiFi: Complete wireless support
USB Gadget Modes: NCM, RNDIS, Mass Storage, ACM Shell
- Configure via UCI or LuCI app
VPN Ready: TUN driver and WireGuard pre-installed
LED Control: Managed via hotplug.d scripts
- Note: LEDs are swapped in default kernel DTS
- WiFi LED: 99-modem-led
- Modem LED: 99-wifi-led

Storage & Recovery

SquashFS Root: Compressed root filesystem
OverlayFS: ext4 overlay partition for user data
Factory Reset: firstboot mechanism enabled

Additional Packages

Tailscale: LuCI app included in /root (manual installation required)
- Install with: apk add --allow-untrusted /root/luci-app-tailscale*.apk
- Not auto-installed to save space

Prerequisites

Docker installed on your system
Basic knowledge of Linux command line
For flashing: edl tool

Building

Enter the build environment:

cd devenv
docker compose run --rm builder

Configure and build:

cp /repo/diffconfig .config
echo "# CONFIG_SIGNED_PACKAGES is not set" >> .config  # Optional: disable signature verification
make defconfig
make -j$(nproc)

Installation

Flashing from OEM Firmware

Install EDL tool: https://github.com/bkerler/edl
Enter EDL mode: See PostmarketOS wiki guide
Backup original firmware:
```
edl rf backup.bin
```
Flash OpenWrt:
```
./openwrt-msm89xx-msm8916-yiming-uz801v3-flash.sh
```
The script automatically backs up device-specific partitions, flashes the firmware, and restores critical data.

Accessing Boot Modes

Fastboot mode: Insert device while holding the button
EDL mode: Boot to fastboot first, then execute: fastboot oem reboot-edl

Troubleshooting

No Network / Modem Stuck at Searching

The modem requires region-specific MCFG configuration files.

Extract MCFG from Your Firmware

Dump modem partition:
```
edl r modem modem.bin
```

Mount and navigate:

# Mount modem.bin (it's a standard Linux image)
cd image/modem_pr/mcfg/configs/mcfg_sw/generic/

Select your region:
- APAC - Asia Pacific
- CHINA - China
- COMMON - Generic/fallback
- EU - Europe
- NA - North America
- SA - South America
- SEA - South East Asia
Locate your carrier's MCFG: Navigate to your telco's folder and find mcfg_sw.mbn. If your carrier isn't listed, use a generic configuration from the common folder.

Apply the Configuration

Transfer to device (capitalization matters!):

scp -O mcfg_sw.mbn root@192.168.1.1:/lib/firmware/MCFG_SW.MBN
# ... and reboot the device ...

Roadmap

Custom package server for msm89xx/msm8916
- Note: Target-specific modules may require building from source via make menuconfig
- Removed feed: https://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/targets/msm89xx/msm8916/packages/packages.adb
Investigate lpac for eSIM support
Memory expansion: swap/zram configuration

Credits

@ghosthgy - Initial project foundation
@lkiuyu - MSM8916 support, patches, and OpenStick feeds
@Mio-sha512 - USB gadget and firmware loader concepts
@AlienWolfX - Carrier policy troubleshooting guide
@gw826943555 & @asvow - Tailscale LuCI application

readme.md

Table of Contents

About OpenWrt