Find firmware safely

Confirm the model before finding firmware

Router-Recovery does not host or mirror firmware files. This page routes you to vendor and trusted project sources after you check the device details.

Check the device first View official firmware sources
Already have the firmware file? Prepare TFTP Recovery on macOS
Router and Mac firmware preparation check illustration

Complete these three checks first

  1. 1

    Exact model

    Copy the complete label, such as Archer AX73 or RT-AX86U.

  2. 2

    Hardware revision / region

    Check Ver, V1/V2, and sales region; similar names are not interchangeable.

  3. 3

    Your recovery goal

    Decide whether you need vendor firmware or OpenWrt / ImmortalWrt.

Choose your task

Start here

Restore vendor firmware

Best when a flash failed, settings are damaged, or you need to return to the vendor system.

Find official firmware

Advanced

OpenWrt / ImmortalWrt

Continue only when the project explicitly supports your exact model and hardware revision.

View open-source sources

Vendor first

Official firmware sources

Start with the vendor model search or download center. Check the model, hardware revision, and region again after leaving this site.

Vendor Check before download Official destination
TP-Link Exact model + hardware version (Ver) + purchase region Open TP-Link model search — Opens the official site in a new tab
ASUS Exact model including suffix + hardware revision + release notes Open ASUS Download Center — Opens the official site in a new tab
NETGEAR Product model + hardware version + release notes Open NETGEAR Downloads — Opens the official site in a new tab
Tenda Exact model + hardware version + current region Open Tenda Download Center — Opens the official site in a new tab
Xiaomi Exact model + region; prefer OTA or the admin page for normal updates Open Xiaomi Router ROM downloads — Opens the official site in a new tab
Vendor / ISP Carrier-customized, enterprise, or devices without a clear public download View the safe support path

Read the release notes and check the publication date. A similar filename or matching extension does not prove compatibility.

Not vendor firmware

Open-source firmware sources

OpenWrt and ImmortalWrt are not the router vendor firmware. Confirm device support before choosing an image type.

Firmware image types

Different files serve different stages. The device and project documentation is the final authority.

Factory

First installation

Usually used to install open-source firmware from vendor firmware; it is not a universal recovery image.

Sysupgrade

In-system upgrade

Used on devices already running OpenWrt / ImmortalWrt; usually not for TFTP recovery.

Initramfs / Recovery

Temporary boot / recovery

Often boots from memory or serves a specific recovery flow; it may not write flash.

Vendor Recovery

Vendor recovery

Used with a vendor recovery mode or tool; follow the exact model instructions.

Advanced: third-party firmware (not vendor official)

Asuswrt-Merlin, FreshTomato, Padavan, and similar projects support selected devices only and may change partitions, wireless drivers, or recovery paths. Do not flash unless the compatibility list includes your hardware revision.

Asuswrt-Merlin — Opens the official site in a new tab FreshTomato — Opens the official site in a new tab Padavan — Opens the official site in a new tab

NEXT: RECOVERY PREPARATION

Firmware downloaded? Check the Mac recovery setup

Before entering recovery mode, prepare Ethernet, the temporary static IP, firmware filename, and TFTP Server folder.

Prepare TFTP Recovery on macOS Not sure about the firmware? Get support