macOS TFTP router recovery
Use this checklist when an OpenWrt-style router needs TFTP firmware recovery from a Mac.
TFTP recovery is useful when a router no longer boots normally after a firmware flash, cannot reach LuCI, or waits for a firmware file during bootloader recovery. OpenWrt devices vary by model, so always confirm the device page and bootloader instructions before sending firmware.
Many workflows ask the computer and router to sit on the same local subnet. A common setup is router 192.168.1.1 and Mac 192.168.1.254 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0, but some brands use different addresses.
OpenWrt failsafe and recovery documentation often references 192.168.1.1. Treat it as a common starting point, not a universal promise. If your router model specifies another recovery IP, follow the model-specific value.
On macOS, set the Ethernet adapter to a manual IPv4 address in the same subnet. 192.168.1.254 avoids conflicting with the router address while keeping your Mac reachable during recovery.
Use the recovery image or factory image required by your model and hardware revision. Wrong files, wrong filenames, and archived files that were not extracted are common causes of failed recovery.
Choose the folder containing the firmware, start the TFTP server, connect Ethernet directly if possible, then power the router into recovery mode. The app helps prepare and run the TFTP environment; it does not guarantee every router can be recovered.
No. 192.168.1.1 is common in OpenWrt failsafe and many recovery workflows, but the recovery IP depends on the device and bootloader.
It places your Mac in the same subnet as a router using 192.168.1.1 while avoiding the router address itself.
No. It helps prepare and run the TFTP recovery environment. The actual flashing behavior depends on your router recovery mode.