IMMORTALWRT ROUTER RECOVERY · MACOS

ImmortalWrt Router Recovery Guide

If an ImmortalWrt flash went wrong, prepare the Mac, firmware file, IP settings, and recovery check before retrying. Keep the process calm and model-specific.

Router Recovery helps prepare and check the Mac-side environment; the model, bootloader, and recovery mode still determine whether firmware is accepted.

STABILIZE BEFORE RETRYING

Confirm four conditions before recovery

ImmortalWrt and OpenWrt share concepts, but recovery still depends on the exact device and bootloader. Confirm the target, hardware revision, image type, and recovery entry point.

ImmortalWrt recovery readiness

This is a preparation checklist, not live device detection.

  • Device and target Exact model, hardware revision, and target must match Confirm
  • ImmortalWrt image Use a trusted matching build and the correct image type Confirm
  • Mac network Direct Ethernet plus the temporary IP required by the model Prepare
  • Bootloader recovery Confirm whether the device expects Web, TFTP, or another method Device step

Green items can be prepared on the Mac; amber or red items require verification first.

QUICK ANSWER

Finish these checks before another power cycle

  • ImmortalWrt recovery usually follows the device startup recovery program, often called the bootloader, not the web UI.
  • Use the firmware image that matches the exact device and hardware version.
  • Common recovery IPs include 192.168.1.1, but the model can override this.
  • Set your Mac to a compatible temporary manual IP before starting the recovery check.

RECOVERY PROCESS

Move from diagnosis to recovery mode

Complete each step before moving on. If one step lacks evidence, stop there and verify it instead of forcing a flash.

  1. Step 1

    Confirm model and target

    Record the exact model, hardware revision, and ImmortalWrt target before choosing a build.

  2. Step 2

    Verify image and source

    Separate factory, recovery, and sysupgrade images and prefer official or listed trusted sources.

  3. Step 3

    Prepare the Mac side

    Use Ethernet and verify the temporary IP, firmware folder, filename, and firewall before powering on.

  4. Step 4

    Trigger device recovery

    Only after the Mac is ready, follow the bootloader documentation for Web, TFTP, or another recovery mode.

PLAIN-LANGUAGE TERMS

Terms you will see during recovery

TFTP

A simple local file-transfer method. In recovery, the router may ask your Mac for one firmware file.

Recovery mode

A temporary rescue state used when the router cannot start normally. It exposes only the basics needed to accept firmware.

Bootloader

The small startup program that runs before the normal router system and controls many recovery flows.

Static IP / same subnet

A temporary Mac address such as 192.168.1.254 so the Mac can talk to a router waiting in recovery mode.

RECOVERY DETAILS

Rule out the wrong path one check at a time

1

What is ImmortalWrt recovery?

ImmortalWrt recovery is the process of restoring a router that cannot boot normally after a failed flash or configuration problem. In many cases the recovery path is inherited from the router bootloader and is similar to OpenWrt-style recovery.

2

ImmortalWrt and OpenWrt relationship

ImmortalWrt is an OpenWrt fork, so many concepts are familiar: device targets, firmware images, LuCI, failsafe, and recovery workflows. Still, always match the exact ImmortalWrt build to your device.

3

Common router recovery IP settings

A frequent pair is router 192.168.1.1 and Mac 192.168.1.254. Other routers ask for 192.168.0.66, 192.168.0.100, or vendor-specific values.

4

Prepare Router Recovery on Mac

Place the firmware in the folder served by the app, start the recovery check, then power the router into recovery mode while connected by Ethernet. Watch for the router request rather than repeatedly changing files blindly.

5

Choose the firmware file

Use the file name and image type requested by your device. Some bootloaders require a specific filename; others request any matching file from the served folder.

6

Troubleshooting checklist

If recovery does not start, recheck the temporary Mac IP, Ethernet port, firewall, firmware filename, and whether the router actually entered recovery mode.

FINAL CHECK

Check once more before recovery

  • Router is in recovery mode
  • Mac IP is set correctly
  • Firmware is in the served folder
  • Filename matches the device requirement
  • Firewall is not blocking local TFTP
  • Ethernet is connected to the correct port

IMMORTALWRT · MACOS

Prepare the Mac side before retrying ImmortalWrt recovery

Router Recovery helps check local TFTP, the temporary Mac IP, firmware folder, and recovery readiness; the device must still support the chosen method.

FAQ

ImmortalWrt recovery questions

Is ImmortalWrt recovery the same as OpenWrt recovery?

Often the concepts are similar, but the device model and bootloader decide the exact recovery steps.

Can I use any ImmortalWrt firmware file?

No. Use the exact build and image type for your router model and hardware revision.

What does the app do during recovery?

It helps run the TFTP server and organize the recovery environment on macOS.