So you’ve got your eye on a Flipper Zero—but what does it actually do? Beneath its friendly, toy-like exterior, this pocket-sized multi-tool hides some serious capabilities. It can interact with a wide range of devices and systems, which can feel overwhelming at first. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to get real value out of it. There are plenty of fun tools and clever tricks that require minimal knowledge and no extra hardware.
Before diving in, it’s important to understand that the Flipper Zero is a powerful tool—and misusing it can land you in hot water. Interfering with private property or security systems can lead to confrontations or even police involvement. Even if your intentions are harmless, others may not see it that way. Copying key fobs or bypassing access controls can result in revoked privileges, and the stakes are even higher if the system belongs to your workplace. Cloning the access fob to a secure office simply isn’t worth risking your job.
Stick to experimenting with devices and systems you own or have explicit permission to use. Used responsibly, the Flipper Zero can replace a wide range of everyday household devices and provide plenty of useful, low-risk features—no trouble required. With that in mind, here are some fun projects you can easily get started with today.
1. Never Lose a Remote Again
Remotes in my home tend to enter a mysterious in-between realm where they get lost for weeks at a time. If you’re also prone to such disappearances, the Flipper Zero can save you some time searching through couch cushions, as it can read and emulate most simple infrared (IR) devices. Remotes for household appliances like TVs, air conditioners, certain audio players, and projectors fall into that category. The Flipper Zero does come with a few universal options that allow you to interact with common appliances. Just be sure to get permission and exercise some self-control when visiting your local electronics store’s display section.
(Credit: Justyn Newman)
The easiest way to get precise control over your at-home devices is to emulate an existing remote with the Flipper. To get this rolling, you’ll need to navigate to the IR section on your Flipper and select Learn New Remote. Next, point your remote at the flipper’s IR sensor (the small black rectangle) and press the button you want to replicate.
(Credit: Justyn Newman)
Scanning will stop once the Flipper detects the signal, which you can name and save as a new remote. You can add more buttons to an existing remote by clicking the plus sign under the first button you’ve added. Simply rinse and repeat that process for the buttons or remotes you’d like saved. Then just point at your TV and hit the appropriate button on your flipper to control it.
One of my favorite use cases, aside from using the Flipper on my TV, is reading and emulating those cheap addressable LED controllers you get with light strips. They’re easy to lose, and the batteries crap out pretty quick. The same process works on those remotes as well as others that use IR.
2. Back Up Your Access Cards (Responsibly)
A Flipper Zero can interface with and replicate certain badges, fobs, and access cards. However, with great power comes great responsibility. Be cautious and use your best judgment when deciding what you replicate with your Flipper. Copying the wrong device and getting caught can lead to civil or even criminal penalties, depending on the nature of the offense. When in doubt, ask for permission beforehand.
The kind of access tool you have will determine how your Flipper can interact with it. Many fobs for apartments and secure buildings use 125kHz radio frequency identification (RFID). Navigate to your Flipper’s RFID menu, click on 125kHz RFID, and then select Read while holding the fob to the back of your Flipper. You can then save it for later emulation. Once you have it saved, you can even write it to a new blank fob using your Flipper for a handy backup using a T5577 writeable blank. Follow the same steps as above, but instead select your saved fob and choose the Write option.
(Credit: Justyn Newman)
Similarly, iButtons can be read, emulated, and written to. iButtons are small 1-wire chips often used for door or elevator access. The small pins protruding from the back of the Flipper are designed to interface with these electronic keys. It’s not too different from reading an RFID fob, but I recommend following Flipper’s guide since you have to connect the pins in a specific way.
Other options, such as metro passes, digital business cards, and certain access cards, use NFC to communicate with secure systems or payment points. Reading and emulating NFC can be a bit trickier since there is a wide range of types that all use different methods for security and communication. Check out Flipper Zero’s guide on how to get started with NFC cards. Depending on the NFC tool you’re trying to replicate, you can write to a blank Magic Card to get backup copies.
(Credit: Justyn Newman)
3. Emulate USB and Bluetooth Keyboards, Mice, and More
The Flipper Zero can emulate a range of common devices using a wired connection or Bluetooth. It comes pre-loaded with some useful tools that work without any additional configuration, such as a media controller, a keynote presentation clicker, a keyboard, a mouse, and even a TikTok controller. Pair or plug your Flipper Zero to a PC or mobile device to enable this functionality. From there, just navigate to the appropriate menu (USB or Bluetooth), select Remote, and then pick the type of remote you’d like to use. That’s it!
4. Monitor Your PC’s Vitals at a Glance
A good way to dip your toes into simple applications that aren’t preinstalled on the Flipper is to set up a PC resource monitor. You’ll need the aptly named PC Monitor app from Flipper Lab. It provides active statistics for your PC’s CPU, RAM, GPU, and VRAM. It can be installed via qFlipper or by using the Flipper mobile app.
(Credit: Justyn Newman)
This app requires a backend process on your PC, which you can find on GitHub. Once you have both installed, it’s as simple as connecting the Flipper Zero via Bluetooth and running the PC Monitor app on the Flipper. It’s a useful app for tracking resource consumption without needing a separate window.
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5. Automated Mouse Movement That Looks Human
There are plenty of reasons why you might want your mouse to move at random intervals while you’re away from your PC. Maybe you have a long-running task on your computer and want to avoid accidental sleep cycles. Perhaps you want to be shown as always active on a messaging platform. Whatever the reason, the Flipper Zero can emulate a mouse jiggler through Bluetooth or USB.
(Credit: PCMag/Flipper Zero)
The Flipper comes with a basic jiggler, but it only moves the mouse back and forth rather than in a random pattern. The latter is important if your mouse movements need to appear human. I recommend installing the Flipper Lab mouse jiggler app if you need a random-input option. Be sure to follow the install instructions and download the required FAP file. Connect your Flipper, launch the mouse jiggler app, and click start. Now, you can walk away from your computer with peace of mind.
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6. Carry Your Entire Amiibo Collection in Your Pocket
Amiibo are collectible figures and cards for the Nintendo Switch 1 & 2 that can be used to unlock in-game rewards. It may not be obvious, but Amiibos communicate with the Switch via near-field communication (NFC), which the Flipper can read and emulate. You don’t need any extra apps or software to get started. Just go to the NFC menu on your Flipper Zero, click Read, and then hold your Amiibo to the back of the device.
(Credit: Justyn Newman)
A successful scan will display your Amiibo’s name and give you the option to save or emulate it. I recommend saving it for later use, as you can emulate it whenever you like. You can use it on your Switch by going back to the NFC menu, navigating to the Saved menu, then clicking the right Amiibo to emulate it. Scan it as you would any other Amiibo by touching it to the right-hand analog stick of your Nintendo Switch.
7. Help Reunite Lost Pets With Their Owners
It’s not every day that you run across a lost pet, but having a Flipper handy can save you an inconvenient trip to the vet for a microchip scan. The Flipper can extract microchip information through its RFID sensor. Navigate to RFID, select 125kHz RFID, go to Extra Actions, and then pick the Read ASK option.
(Credit: Justyn Newman)
Be warned, the range is pretty limited and requires you to get right next to the chip. It can take a bit of trial and error, but I found that scanning close to my cat’s neck and shoulder blades worked after a few minutes of fiddling. The resulting information will include an ID that can be entered into an online microchip database, such as the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), to determine which company the pet is registered with. From there, you can call and present the pet’s microchip number to try and notify the owner. However, it’s still best to consult a veterinarian if you are unsuccessful or cannot locate a chip.
8. Open Tesla Charging Ports
Make sure you own the Tesla in question or have permission beforehand, as the last thing anyone wants is to get a hard time from a persnickety owner. After all, you likely wouldn’t want someone messing with your personal property, either. This tool is good for learning how the Flipper Zero’s file system works. Sometimes you’ll need to download certain files and place them in the correct directory to unlock additional features. To enable your Flipper to pop open Tesla ports, follow the steps below:
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Connect your Flipper to a PC via USB.
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Launch qFlipper.
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Click on the paper icon in the top-left corner of the dashboard.
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Double-click the SD Card option.
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Double-click the subghz folder.
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Download the appropriate BIN files from this user repository (there are multiple options depending on your region; these files work with a range of US models).
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Drag and drop those files into the open subghz folder in qFlipper.
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Launch the subGHz app, go to Saved, and select one of the files to send the signal.
Note that it’s not a guarantee that either option will work with your Tesla model. If you want to prevent your Tesla’s charging port from being susceptible to this sort of hack, you can set it to Car Wash Mode to disable remote access to the charging port, though that also turns off other important features, such as the security system. Since Tesla’s charging port uses a simple radio signal for opening, it isn’t possible to disable it without an external modification or third-party software. However, the port will close on its own within a couple of minutes.
Where to Go After the Basics
The projects above barely scratch the surface and don’t cover nearly all that there is to do with the Flipper Zero. There’s a deep ecosystem you can explore beyond these basic hacks if you’re willing to put in some time to learn more about the device and don’t mind picking up some extra tools. It can run custom scripts, act as a macro pad, work as a gyroscopic mouse, and even detect nearby radiation with the right tweaks and expansions. I recommend following your interests and picking a project that sounds fun or useful. If you don’t know where to start, I would check out the community forum. The users are supportive, and you may stumble across a few interesting projects worth tackling. I know I have.
About Our Expert
Justyn Newman
Senior Writer, Security
Experience
My writing journey started in 2012 and has taken me through various niches, but my main focus has always been on tech. I contributed to several growing PC hardware and software sites, focusing on gaming, peripherals, and privacy.
As the amount of information we put out on the internet has grown, so have the threats and the tools we use to combat them. With VPNs gaining traction in the late 2010s as a tool for the public instead of just an option for business security, I found myself reviewing countless options in this continuously changing landscape.
This led to my role before PCMag over at WizCase, where I honed my knowledge of VPNs and privacy tools and eventually oversaw all of the content produced. I led a talented team of fellow writers and editors to evaluate VPNs, password managers, antivirus, and parental controls.
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