ZeroTrace HID
Installation & Setup
Flash firmware, connect to the device, verify it's ready
Three steps: flash, connect, verify. Devices ship pre-flashed, flashing only matters when you reset or update.
What you need
- ZeroTrace Kit, Mini, or Ghost
- USB-C data cable (most charge-only cables fail silently)
- Chrome, Edge, or any Chromium-based browser (Web Serial requirement)
- Windows 10+, macOS 11+, or any modern Linux
1. Flash firmware (only if needed)
Pre-flashed devices skip this. Flash when updating firmware or recovering a wedged unit.
- Connect the device's COM port to your computer with a USB-C data cable.
- Open the ZeroTrace Web Flasher in Chrome or Edge.
- Click Connect, pick the device's serial port, click Flash Firmware.
- Wait ~2 minutes. Don't unplug.
- Unplug, then re-power.
Linux serial permissions. If the browser shows Failed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort':
# Debian / Ubuntu / Pop / Mint
sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER
# Arch / Manjaro
sudo usermod -a -G uucp $USER
Log out and back in.
2. Pair with the mobile app
ZeroTrace HID is driven from the ZeroTrace mobile app over Bluetooth, there is no on-board web UI.
- Install the ZeroTrace app on your phone (iOS App Store or Android APK).
- Power the device via the COM port (or any 5 V USB-C source).
- Open the app and pair the device, it scans for ZeroTrace hardware over Bluetooth and bonds in a guided wizard.
Once paired, you have the script Executor, live keyboard / mouse / gamepad, the file browser, and device settings. See Mobile app HID control.
3. Plug the target
The USB port talks to the host you're injecting into.
- Plug a USB-C cable from the device's USB port into the target.
- The target enumerates the device as a keyboard, mouse, gamepad, or MSC (depending on
hid_mode). - The OS-detection feature populates
_@detectedOSwithin ~1 s.
The COM port is now optional, the unit can run from target power alone.
LED status reference
| Color | Pattern | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Solid | Powered on, ready |
| Magenta | Solid | Script running |
| Cyan | Solid | Autostart script running |
| Orange | 3 blinks | Script execution canceled |
| Red | 3 blinks after script | Wrong USB port or charge-only cable on USB side |
| Red | Solid | File-system error, reflash |
Troubleshooting first connect
| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| Device doesn't appear in the app's Bluetooth scan | Wait 30 s after power-on; verify the device is powered (LED on) and your phone's Bluetooth is on; reset and retry. See Pairing. |
| Device pairs but keeps dropping | Keep the phone in range; see Connection. |
| Web flasher can't see the device | You're on the USB port, switch to COM. |
| Target OS doesn't see a keyboard | You're on the COM port, switch to USB. |
| Red LED blinks after every script | Cable on the USB side is charge-only; swap to a data cable. |
If WiFi never appears, perform a factory reset by holding the BOOT button while power-cycling, then re-flash firmware.
Next
- Mobile app HID control, pair over Bluetooth and drive the device from your phone.
- Day-1 walkthrough, first authorized injection in 15 minutes.