A guided TFTP Server recovery tool for macOS
If LuCI no longer opens after an OpenWrt flash, do not keep power-cycling and trying random files. First stabilize the scene: exact router model, factory or recovery firmware, Mac static IP, Ethernet, and the short recovery window.
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 usually exposes only the basics needed to accept firmware.
Bootloader: the small startup program that runs before the normal router system. Many recovery flows are controlled by it.
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.
What to do: check the router label and hardware revision, then download matching recovery firmware. Why: mismatched firmware is a common cause of failed recovery. You should see: a filename, model, and hardware revision that clearly match.
What to do: temporarily set the Mac Ethernet IP to the address required by the guide, such as 192.168.1.254. Why: this lets the Mac communicate with the router while it is in recovery mode. You should see: Ethernet connected, with the Mac IP and router recovery IP in the same local network range.
What to do: select the firmware file and let Router Recovery wait for the router request. Why: the router recovery window may be brief, so the Mac should be ready first. You should see: the app waiting for the router request or showing that a request was detected.
What to do: follow the model guide, usually power off, hold Reset or WPS, then power on. Why: the router must enter recovery mode before it can request or accept firmware. You should see: the documented LED pattern, a brief network response, or the app detecting a firmware request.
Use this page when the router no longer boots normally after a failed OpenWrt or ImmortalWrt flash, LuCI is unreachable, and the device still has a documented Web or TFTP recovery window. If the device never responds on Ethernet, treat that as a separate advanced diagnosis, not a reason to keep retrying blindly.
Do not use a random OpenWrt file because the model name looks close. Match the brand, exact model, hardware revision, target, and image type. A sysupgrade image is usually for an already-running OpenWrt system; a factory or recovery image may be required for bootloader recovery.
Most TFTP recovery flows need a temporary manual Ethernet IP. If the router recovery address is 192.168.1.1, set the Mac to 192.168.1.254 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0. Put the firmware file in the folder served by Router Recovery and use the filename your model expects.
Power off the router, hold the required button such as Reset or WPS, connect power, then release when the LED pattern matches the model guide. Some bootloaders listen only briefly, so the Mac-side TFTP Server should already be waiting.
Router Recovery helps prepare and check the macOS TFTP Server, firmware folder, Ethernet interface, and recovery request. It does not guarantee that a router will accept the firmware, and it does not replace serial TTL, bootloader repair, or hardware recovery judgment.
Recheck the Mac IP, router recovery IP, firmware filename, served folder, firewall permissions, Ethernet port, and whether the router actually entered recovery mode. If these are correct and the router never requests a file, stop and confirm the model-specific recovery method before moving to advanced paths.
No. Many routers support TFTP recovery, but the exact recovery method depends on the bootloader and model. Some devices require Web recovery, vendor tools, serial TTL, or hardware repair.
Use the IP required by your router guide. A common setup is router 192.168.1.1 and Mac 192.168.1.254 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0.
Use the image type required by your model and hardware revision. Do not assume sysupgrade, factory, and recovery images are interchangeable, and do not use a snapshot or custom build unless you know the model requires it.
No. The app prepares and checks the macOS TFTP recovery environment. The router bootloader or recovery program controls whether and how the firmware is accepted.