Flash the Cheap Yellow Display (CYD)
Install Bruce or ESP32 Marauder on your Cheap Yellow Display (the ESP32-2432S028) directly from this page — nothing to download or install. You need Chrome or Edge on a desktop computer and a USB data cable.
Bruce or Marauder — which one?
Pick the firmware in the Firmware type selector, then choose your board's USB variant in the Version list.
| Firmware | Best for | Radios |
|---|---|---|
| Marauder | Wi-Fi / Bluetooth recon, deauth, probe & beacon work | Uses the CYD's built-in ESP32 radio |
| Bruce | All-round multitool: Sub-GHz, RF, IR, RFID, BadUSB | Most RF features need add-on modules |
Which CYD variant do I have?
Check the USB ports on the bottom edge of the board:
- One micro-USB port → the classic 2432S028.
- A micro-USB plus a USB-C port → the 2USB variant.
They use different firmware images. Select the matching variant in the Version list before flashing.
Which browsers can flash the CYD?
| Browser | Supported |
|---|---|
| Chrome / Edge (desktop) | ✅ Yes |
| Chrome (Android) | ✅ Yes |
| Safari (macOS / iOS) | ❌ No |
| Firefox | ❌ No |
Browser flashing relies on the Web Serial API, which ships only in Chromium-based browsers.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| No port shows in the picker | Use a USB data cable (not charge-only). CYDs use a CH340 or CP2102 bridge — install its driver if your OS doesn't detect the port. |
| "Failed to connect" / sync error | Some clone boards don't auto-reset. Unplug, hold BOOT (IO0), plug USB back in while holding BOOT, release BOOT, then click Connect. |
| Screen blank after flashing | You likely flashed the wrong USB variant. Reconnect and flash the matching variant — it recovers, it is not bricked. |
| Wrong chip detected | Make sure no other app (Arduino IDE, serial monitor) holds the port. |
What are Bruce and Marauder?
Bruce is an open-source ESP32 firmware for wireless and hardware research, published at github.com/BruceDevices/firmware under AGPL-3.0. ESP32 Marauder is an open-source Wi-Fi/Bluetooth analysis suite, published at github.com/justcallmekoko/ESP32Marauder under the MIT license.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Cheap Yellow Display (CYD)?
The CYD is the nickname for a family of low-cost ESP32 development boards with a built-in color touchscreen, popularised by the ESP32-2432S028. All variants covered here use a plain ESP32-WROOM chip and are popular for running Bruce and ESP32 Marauder firmware.
Which CYD variant do I have?
Check the USB port(s) on the bottom edge: one micro-USB = 2432S028. Micro-USB + USB-C = 2USB. A 3.5" screen = 3248S035C (capacitive) or 3248S035R (resistive). Look at your board's silkscreen or PCB label for the exact model number. The 2432W328C variants add a CC1101 header; the 2432W328R and S024R share one image.
Should I flash Bruce or Marauder on my CYD?
Marauder focuses on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth reconnaissance and works out of the box with the CYD's built-in radio. Bruce is a broader multitool (Sub-GHz, RF, IR, RFID, BadUSB) but needs add-on radio modules for most RF features. Pick the firmware in the Firmware type selector, then choose your exact board variant.
I flashed the wrong variant and the screen is blank — did I brick it?
No. The wrong variant boots but the display/touch may not work. Reconnect and flash the correct variant (or hold BOOT while plugging in USB to force download mode), and it will recover.
Does the nm-cyd-c5 (ESP32-C5) work with this flasher?
No. The nm-cyd-c5 uses an ESP32-C5 chip (different architecture, dual-band Wi-Fi) and is not a plain ESP32 variant. It requires a separate firmware and flasher page. We're working on it — check back soon.
Which browsers can flash the CYD?
Chrome or Edge on a desktop computer (and Chrome on Android). Browser flashing uses the Web Serial API, which Safari and Firefox do not support.
WARNING
For educational and lawful network-research purposes only. Comply with all applicable laws in your jurisdiction.