How to Create a Bootable Armbian Image for Rockchip RK3318

This guide explains how to prepare and flash an Armbian image to a Rockchip RK3318/RK3228 TV Box using Multitool.

---

🧰 Requirements

• A MicroSD (at least 4 GB)
• A computer with Windows, Linux, or macOS
• Tools for flashing images, such as:
  • Balena Etcher
  • Rufus
  • Win32 Disk Imager
• Files to download:
  • multitool.xz
  • The Armbian image for Rockchip RK3318 (e.g., Armbian_XX.xx_Rk3318.img.xz)
  • Find Here Release Page

---

⚙️ Steps

1. Download the Required Files

Download both:

• multitool.xz
• Your preferred Armbian image for Rockchip RK3318.

---

2. Create a Bootable Multitool in MicroSD

1. Open Balena Etcher, Rufus, or Disk Imager.
2. Select the downloaded file multitool.xz as the source.
3. Choose your MicroSD as the target.
4. Start the flashing process.

5. Once the flashing process completes, insert the MicroSD into your TV Box and turn it on once so Multitool automatically expands the partition to use all unallocated SD space.
6. Insert the MicroSD back into your PC. If the MULTITOOL drive does not appear, open Disk Management, right-click the MULTITOOL partition, and assign it a drive letter.

---

3. Copy the Armbian Image

1. Open the MULTITOOL partition.
2. Inside, open the images folder.
3. Copy the downloaded Armbian image file (e.g., Armbian_XX.xx_Rk3318.img.xz) into the images folder.

---

4. Safely Eject the MicroSD

After the copy process finishes:

• Eject the MicroSD safely from your computer.

---

5. Boot the TV Box & Flash to eMMC

1. Insert the prepared MicroSD into your RK3318 TV Box.
2. Power on the TV Box.
3. The Multitool menu will appear:
   • (Optional) Backup flash to back up your stock firmware.
   • Erase flash (eMMC).
   • Choose Burn Image to flash.
   • Select the Armbian image you copied (e.g. Armbian_XX.xx_Rk3318.img.xz) and press OK.
   • Wait until the flashing process is complete, then press OK.
   • Return to the main menu and select Shutdown.
   • Eject the MicroSD card.
   • Power on the TV Box to boot into Armbian from eMMC.
   • Complete initial setup (username, password, etc.).

---

6. Troubleshooting & Post-Install Setup

1. Fix Wi-Fi Connection

If Wi-Fi networks are visible but connection fails, replace the Broadcom firmware configuration file:

1. Remove the default firmware configuration:

   sudo rm -f /usr/lib/firmware/brcm/brcmfmac4334-sdio.rockchip,rk3318-box.txt
   

2. Create and edit the file, pasting the contents from rk3318_fix_wifi.txt:

   sudo nano /usr/lib/firmware/brcm/brcmfmac4334-sdio.rockchip,rk3318-box.txt
   

3. Reboot the TV Box:

   sudo reboot
   

4. Connect to Wi-Fi via Armbian config tool:

   sudo armbian-config
   

   (Navigate to Network > WiFi)

---

2. Fix Bluetooth (SP2734C / AP6334 Chips)

Many RK3318 TV Boxes use the SP2734C Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chip (compatible with AP6334). To enable Bluetooth support:

1. Open the Armbian configuration utility:

   sudo armbian-config
   

2. Navigate to System > Hardware.
3. Enable the hardware overlay: rk3318-box-wlan-ap6334 (press Space to select, then Save).
4. Reboot the TV Box:

   sudo reboot
   

5. Check Bluetooth status:

   sudo systemctl status bluetooth
   # or scan devices with:
   bluetoothctl
   

---

3. Working LED Control

Manage the blue status LED behavior via sysfs:

• Turn off the blinking LED:

  echo 0 | sudo tee /sys/devices/platform/gpio-leds/leds/working/brightness
  

• Turn the LED permanently on:

  echo 1 | sudo tee /sys/devices/platform/gpio-leds/leds/working/brightness
  

• Set LED to blink with system activity (CPU load):

  echo activity | sudo tee /sys/devices/platform/gpio-leds/leds/working/trigger
  

---

✅ Done!

You’ve successfully created a bootable Armbian image for your Rockchip RK3318 TV Box using Multitool.
You can now proceed with installing or testing Armbian on your device.

---

🔗 Useful Links

• Armbian Official Website
• Armbian Forum (TV Box Section)
• Balena Etcher Download