7 useful things the Flipper Zero can do that still blows my mind – two years later

The sub-GHz wi-fi antenna can choose up indicators from units resembling wi-fi doorbells and automobile key fobs, making the Flipper Zero a helpful device for testing if wi-fi transmitters are working correctly. I exploit mine to check if the fobs are working and to check their vary. 

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And sure, the Flipper Zero can report the codes transmitted by automobile key fobs, however retransmitting these codes to a contemporary automobile will not unlock it as a consequence of a characteristic referred to as ‘rolling codes’ that adjustments the code with every use. On older vehicles — these 20 years outdated and extra — you possibly can use a code captured to unlock the car (however do not try this until it is your automobile or you have got permission!), however you continue to could not drive away with it.

On the flip facet — pun meant — retransmitting the codes to a wi-fi doorbell will trigger the bell to ring, as most of those techniques haven’t got a mechanism to guard towards such annoyances.

NFC is all over the place these days, and the Flipper Zero permits you to work with this wi-fi protocol. It is constructed into plastic playing cards and fobs and used for all kinds of issues, from unlocking lodge room doorways to controlling boundaries.

However this doesn’t suggest you may trigger chaos on the planet, as a result of to unlock belongings you most of the time want entry to the NFC key. 

NFC indicators may be learn by the Flipper Zero, and plenty of NFC playing cards will also be copied and cloned (this is determined by the safety used for the cardboard, so I can not provide you with any arduous and quick guidelines about which NFC units may be cloned). I’ve used my Flipper Zero to repeat my lodge room card now and again when the lodge solely offers you a single card or when we’ve a number of rooms and do not wish to juggle a handful of playing cards.

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Nonetheless, observe that whereas the Flipper Zero can learn NFC playing cards and fobs, it can’t decode the cardboard’s encrypted safety code used on credit score and debit playing cards, to allow them to’t be cloned.

Together with NFC, the Flipper Zero can learn and clone RFID playing cards and fobs, together with lodge playing cards as proven within the image above.

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RFID playing cards and tags may be locked to stop them from being overwritten or having their safety keys extracted, however the Flipper Zero can bypass many of those mechanisms. For instance, it may well supply to unlock the cardboard if you happen to current it to a sound reader (such because the lock it has been programmed to open). This lets you clone the cardboard and unlock the door utilizing each the cardboard and the Flipper Zero. 

The Flipper Zero has a built-in infrared module that may be programmed to function a variety of units, from TVs to AC models. 

Just about any client system with an IR distant management interface may be managed utilizing the Flipper Zero.

One other cool use of this performance is to check if infrared distant controls are working. Merely level the distant management on the Flipper Zero in ‘learn IR’ mode, and it’ll detect the indicators.

I exploit this characteristic on a regular basis to check distant controls that I’ve fastened after battery leaks have broken the system. It is an extremely helpful characteristic!

Sure, the Flipper Zero can bypass the safety on some Sentry Protected digital safes utilizing an output from the GPIO. 

That is undoubtedly not one thing you wish to be doing if it is not your secure or you do not have permission, however it goes to indicate simply how insecure the “complimentary” safes present in lodges, spas, and Airbnbs truly are.

Flipper Zero can act as a BadUSB device, which signifies that when linked to a port it’s seen as a Human Interface Machine (HID), resembling a keyboard. 

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A BadUSB system can change system settings, open backdoors, retrieve information, provoke reverse shells, or do something that may be achieved with bodily entry. These duties are accomplished through the use of a set of instructions written within the Rubber Ducky Scripting Language, often known as DuckyScript. 

The Flipper Zero can use the GPIO to output electrical indicators and act as a sign generator. I final used this to simulate an antilock braking system module on a car to substantiate that each one the wiring and computer systems within the automobile had been working.

The Video Sport Module is powered by the RP2040 microcontroller developed by Raspberry Pi and provides a bunch of gaming-related performance.

First, it provides a DVI video output port to the Flipper Zero, permitting it to ship video to exterior shows. That is important because the tiny LED panel constructed into the Flipper Zero is not superb for gaming. This functionality is not restricted to gaming, although. The flexibility to beam video output to a bigger show is nice for varied different functions, resembling testing or coaching.

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The Video Sport Module additionally contains an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) that includes a TDK ICM-42688-P sensor, which provides a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer to the package deal, permitting it to sense tilting or shaking.

In case you’re not into gaming, that is no downside. The RP2040 microcontroller can run functions programmed in C, C++, or MicroPython, making it a flexible addition to the Flipper Zero.