nrfconnect · tomchy · Jun 30, 2025
@@ -87,12 +87,13 @@ nRF52832 Desktop Keyboard (``nrf52kbd``)
       * The board supports ``release`` :ref:`nrf_desktop_bluetooth_guide_fast_pair` configuration (``release_fast_pair`` file suffix).
         The configuration uses the MCUboot bootloader built in the direct-xip mode (``MCUBOOT+XIP``), and supports firmware updates using the :ref:`nrf_desktop_dfu` and the :ref:`nrf_desktop_dfu_mcumgr`.
 
-nRF52840 USB Dongle (``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840``) and nRF52833 USB Dongle (``nrf52833dongle``)
+nRF52840 USB Dongle (``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare``) and nRF52833 USB Dongle (``nrf52833dongle``)
       * Since the nRF52840 Dongle is generic and defined in Zephyr, project-specific changes are applied in the DTS overlay file.
       * The application is configured to act as a dongle that forwards data from both mouse and keyboard.
       * Bluetooth uses Nordic Semiconductor's SoftDevice link layer and is configured to act as a central.
         Input data comes from Bluetooth and is retransmitted to USB.
-      * The configuration with the B0 bootloader is set as default for the ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840`` board and with the MCUboot bootloader is set as default for the ``nrf52833dongle`` board.
+      * For the ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare`` board, the configuration using the B0 bootloader is set as the default.
+        For the ``nrf52833dongle`` board, the configuration using the MCUboot bootloader is set as the default.
 
 nRF52820 USB Dongle (``nrf52820dongle``)
       * The application is configured to act as a dongle that forwards data from both mouse and keyboard.

@@ -40,8 +40,6 @@ CONFIG_BOARD_SERIAL_BACKEND_CDC_ACM=n
 CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN=n
 CONFIG_ASSERT=n
 
-CONFIG_BOARD_HAS_NRF5_BOOTLOADER=n
-
 # Use minimal C library instead of the Picolib
 CONFIG_MINIMAL_LIBC=y
 

@@ -40,8 +40,6 @@ CONFIG_BOARD_SERIAL_BACKEND_CDC_ACM=n
 CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN=n
 CONFIG_ASSERT=n
 
-CONFIG_BOARD_HAS_NRF5_BOOTLOADER=n
-
 # Use minimal C library instead of the Picolib
 CONFIG_MINIMAL_LIBC=y
 

@@ -40,8 +40,6 @@ CONFIG_BOARD_SERIAL_BACKEND_CDC_ACM=n
 CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN=n
 CONFIG_ASSERT=n
 
-CONFIG_BOARD_HAS_NRF5_BOOTLOADER=n
-
 # Use minimal C library instead of the Picolib
 CONFIG_MINIMAL_LIBC=y
 

@@ -40,8 +40,6 @@ CONFIG_BOARD_SERIAL_BACKEND_CDC_ACM=n
 CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN=n
 CONFIG_ASSERT=n
 
-CONFIG_BOARD_HAS_NRF5_BOOTLOADER=n
-
 # Use minimal C library instead of the Picolib
 CONFIG_MINIMAL_LIBC=y
 

@@ -40,8 +40,6 @@ CONFIG_BOARD_SERIAL_BACKEND_CDC_ACM=n
 CONFIG_UART_INTERRUPT_DRIVEN=n
 CONFIG_ASSERT=n
 
-CONFIG_BOARD_HAS_NRF5_BOOTLOADER=n
-
 # Use minimal C library instead of the Picolib
 CONFIG_MINIMAL_LIBC=y
 

@@ -36,9 +36,6 @@ CONFIG_DESKTOP_BLE_QOS_ENABLE=y
 ################################################################################
 # Zephyr Configuration
 
-CONFIG_ROM_START_OFFSET=0
-CONFIG_BOARD_HAS_NRF5_BOOTLOADER=n
-
 CONFIG_SYSTEM_WORKQUEUE_STACK_SIZE=1536
 CONFIG_ISR_STACK_SIZE=1280
 CONFIG_MAIN_STACK_SIZE=840

@@ -47,9 +47,6 @@ CONFIG_DESKTOP_BLE_QOS_ENABLE=y
 ################################################################################
 # Zephyr Configuration
 
-CONFIG_ROM_START_OFFSET=0
-CONFIG_BOARD_HAS_NRF5_BOOTLOADER=n
-
 CONFIG_SYSTEM_WORKQUEUE_STACK_SIZE=1536
 CONFIG_ISR_STACK_SIZE=1280
 CONFIG_MAIN_STACK_SIZE=840

@@ -46,9 +46,6 @@ CONFIG_DESKTOP_BLE_QOS_ENABLE=y
 ################################################################################
 # Zephyr Configuration
 
-CONFIG_ROM_START_OFFSET=0
-CONFIG_BOARD_HAS_NRF5_BOOTLOADER=n
-
 CONFIG_SYSTEM_WORKQUEUE_STACK_SIZE=1536
 CONFIG_ISR_STACK_SIZE=1280
 CONFIG_MAIN_STACK_SIZE=840

@@ -34,9 +34,6 @@ CONFIG_DESKTOP_BLE_QOS_ENABLE=y
 ################################################################################
 # Zephyr Configuration
 
-CONFIG_ROM_START_OFFSET=0
-CONFIG_BOARD_HAS_NRF5_BOOTLOADER=n
-
 CONFIG_SYSTEM_WORKQUEUE_STACK_SIZE=1536
 CONFIG_ISR_STACK_SIZE=1280
 CONFIG_MAIN_STACK_SIZE=840

@@ -44,9 +44,6 @@ CONFIG_DESKTOP_BLE_QOS_ENABLE=y
 ################################################################################
 # Zephyr Configuration
 
-CONFIG_ROM_START_OFFSET=0
-CONFIG_BOARD_HAS_NRF5_BOOTLOADER=n
-
 CONFIG_SYSTEM_WORKQUEUE_STACK_SIZE=1536
 CONFIG_ISR_STACK_SIZE=1280
 CONFIG_MAIN_STACK_SIZE=840

@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ Depending on the development kit you use, you need to select the respective conf
 
       .. table-from-rows:: /includes/sample_board_rows.txt
          :header: heading
-         :rows: nrf52840dongle_nrf52840, nrf52833dongle_nrf52833, nrf52820dongle_nrf52820
+         :rows: nrf52840dongle_nrf52840_bare, nrf52833dongle_nrf52833, nrf52820dongle_nrf52820
 
    .. tab:: DK
 
@@ -437,15 +437,15 @@ The application supports the following build types:
      - Debug version of the application with the support for the B0 bootloader enabled for `Works With ChromeBook (WWCB)`_.
    * - Triple Bluetooth LE connection
      - ``3bleconn``
-     - ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840``
+     - ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare``
      - Debug version of the application with the support for up to three simultaneous Bluetooth LE connections.
    * - Quadruple LLPM connection
      - ``4llpmconn``
-     - ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840``
+     - ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare``
      - Debug version of the application with the support for up to four simultaneous Bluetooth LE connections, in Low Latency Packet Mode.
    * - Release quadruple LLPM connection
      - ``release_4llpmconn``
-     - ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840``
+     - ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare``
      - Release version of the application with the support for up to four simultaneous Bluetooth LE connections, in Low Latency Packet Mode.
    * - LLVM
      - ``llvm``

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Complete the following steps to configure the module:
      * Product ID (PID)
      * Peer type (:c:enumerator:`PEER_TYPE_MOUSE` or :c:enumerator:`PEER_TYPE_KEYBOARD`)
 
-   For an example of the module configuration, see :file:`configuration/nrf52840dongle_nrf52840/ble_discovery_def.h`.
+   For an example of the module configuration, see :file:`configuration/nrf52840dongle_nrf52840_bare/ble_discovery_def.h`.
 
    .. note::
         The module configuration example uses ``0x1915`` as Nordic Semiconductor's VID.

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ The option selects :kconfig:option:`CONFIG_BT_HCI_VS_EVT_USER`, because the modu
 You can use the :ref:`CONFIG_DESKTOP_BLE_QOS_STATS_PRINTOUT_ENABLE <config_desktop_app_options>` Kconfig option to enable real-time QoS information printouts through the USB CDC ACM port.
 The :ref:`CONFIG_DESKTOP_USB_STACK_LEGACY <config_desktop_app_options>` Kconfig option must be enabled.
 Also, the selected USB CDC ACM instance must be enabled, and specified in the devicetree using the ``ncs,ble-qos-uart`` DT chosen.
-For an example of configuration that specifies the ``ncs,ble-qos-uart`` DT chosen, see the :file:`configuration/nrf52840dongle_nrf52840/app.overlay` file.
+For an example of a configuration that specifies the ``ncs,ble-qos-uart`` DT chosen, see the :file:`configuration/nrf52840dongle_nrf52840_bare/app.overlay` file.
 This option automatically selects other Kconfig options needed to handle statistics printouts over the USB CDC ACM port:
 
 * :kconfig:option:`CONFIG_USB_COMPOSITE_DEVICE`

@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ Complete the following steps to enable the |ble_scan|:
    By default, the nRF Desktop central connects and bonds with only one mouse and one keyboard.
 #. Define the Bluetooth name filters in the :file:`ble_scan_def.h` file that is located in the board-specific directory in the application configuration directory.
    You must define a Bluetooth name filter for every peripheral type the nRF Desktop central connects to.
-   For an example, see :file:`configuration/nrf52840dongle_nrf52840/ble_scan_def.h`.
+   For an example, see :file:`configuration/nrf52840dongle_nrf52840_bare/ble_scan_def.h`.
 
    .. note::
       The Bluetooth device name for given peripheral is defined as the :kconfig:option:`CONFIG_BT_DEVICE_NAME` Kconfig option in the peripheral's configuration.

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ tests:
       - nrf52833dk/nrf52833
       - nrf52833dongle/nrf52833
       - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
       - nrf52840gmouse/nrf52840
       - nrf5340dk/nrf5340/cpuapp
       - nrf54l15dk/nrf54l05/cpuapp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ tests:
       - nrf52833dk/nrf52833
       - nrf52833dongle/nrf52833
       - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
       - nrf52840gmouse/nrf52840
       - nrf5340dk/nrf5340/cpuapp
       - nrf54l15dk/nrf54l05/cpuapp
@@ -115,28 +115,28 @@ tests:
       - nrf52833dk/nrf52833
       - nrf52833dongle/nrf52833
       - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
       - nrf52840gmouse/nrf52840
     integration_platforms:
       - nrf52kbd/nrf52832
       - nrf52833dk/nrf52833
       - nrf52833dongle/nrf52833
       - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
       - nrf52840gmouse/nrf52840
     extra_configs:
       - CONFIG_DESKTOP_SHELL=y
   applications.nrf_desktop.zdebug_3bleconn:
     build_only: true
-    platform_allow: nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+    platform_allow: nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
     integration_platforms:
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
     extra_args: FILE_SUFFIX=3bleconn
   applications.nrf_desktop.zdebug_4llpmconn:
     build_only: true
-    platform_allow: nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+    platform_allow: nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
     integration_platforms:
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
     extra_args: FILE_SUFFIX=4llpmconn
   applications.nrf_desktop.zdebug_dongle:
     build_only: true
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ tests:
       - nrf52833dk/nrf52833
       - nrf52833dongle/nrf52833
       - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
       - nrf52840gmouse/nrf52840
       - nrf5340dk/nrf5340/cpuapp
       - nrf54h20dk/nrf54h20/cpuapp
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ tests:
       - nrf52833dk/nrf52833
       - nrf52833dongle/nrf52833
       - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
       - nrf52840gmouse/nrf52840
       - nrf5340dk/nrf5340/cpuapp
       - nrf54h20dk/nrf54h20/cpuapp
@@ -257,20 +257,20 @@ tests:
       - FILE_SUFFIX=release_fast_pair
   applications.nrf_desktop.zrelease_4llpmconn:
     build_only: true
-    platform_allow: nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+    platform_allow: nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
     integration_platforms:
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
     extra_args: FILE_SUFFIX=release_4llpmconn
   applications.nrf_desktop.zdebug.usb_next:
     build_only: true
     platform_allow:
       - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
       - nrf52840gmouse/nrf52840
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
     integration_platforms:
       - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
       - nrf52840gmouse/nrf52840
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
     extra_configs:
       - CONFIG_DESKTOP_USB_STACK_NEXT=y
   applications.nrf_desktop.zdebug_dongle.usb_next:
@@ -293,10 +293,10 @@ tests:
     build_only: true
     platform_allow:
       - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
     integration_platforms:
       - nrf52840dk/nrf52840
-      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840
+      - nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare
     extra_args: FILE_SUFFIX=release
     extra_configs:
       - CONFIG_DESKTOP_USB_STACK_NEXT=y

@@ -46,11 +46,23 @@ While the board name is always present, other elements, such as the board revisi
   Check the Product Specification of the given SoC for more information about the available CPU clusters.
 
 * :ref:`Variant <zephyr:glossary>` - You can use this board qualifier to build for a particular type or configuration of a build for a combination of SoC and CPU cluster.
-  In the |NCS|, variants are used for indicating the usage of Cortex-M Security Extensions (CMSE) (security by separation):
+  In the |NCS|, board variants are used for the following purposes:
+
+  * Changing the default memory map:
+    This applies to the entry for the nRF52840 Dongle with the ``*/bare`` variant (``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare``).
+    When you select this target, the firmware does not account for the onboard USB bootloader.
+    This corresponds to using :zephyr:board:`flashing option 3 with an external debug probe <nrf52840dongle>`.
+
+  * Indicating the use of Cortex-M Security Extensions (CMSE), also known as security by separation:
+
+    * Variants without ``*/ns`` (for example, ``cpuapp``):
+      When you select this target, you build the application core firmware as a single execution environment without CMSE.
+      See :ref:`Trusted Firmware-M (TF-M) <ug_tfm>` for more information.
+
+    * Variants with ``*/ns`` (for example, ``cpuapp/ns``):
+      Recommended for enhanced security.
+      When you select this target, you build the application with CMSE enabled, using security by separation.
 
-  * Entries without ``*/ns`` (for example, ``cpuapp``) - When you choose this target, you build the application core firmware as a single execution environment that does not use CMSE (:ref:`Trusted Firmware-M (TF-M) <ug_tfm>`).
-  * Entries with ``*/ns`` (for example, ``cpuapp/ns``) - Recommended for more security.
-    When you choose this target, you build the application with CMSE using security by separation.
     The application core firmware is placed in Non-Secure Processing Environment (NSPE) and uses Secure Processing Environment (SPE) for security features.
     By default, the build system automatically includes :ref:`Trusted Firmware-M (TF-M) <ug_tfm>` in SPE and merges it with NSPE.
 
@@ -125,6 +137,8 @@ Also see the :ref:`zephyr:boards` section in the Zephyr documentation.
 |                   |            | :ref:`nrf52840dk <zephyr:nrf52840dk_nrf52811>`      | ``nrf52840dk/nrf52811``                                               |
 +-------------------+------------+-----------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | nRF52840 Dongle   | PCA10059   | :zephyr:board:`nrf52840dongle <nrf52840dongle>`     | ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840``                                           |
+|                   |            |                                                     |                                                                       |
+|                   |            |                                                     | ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare``                                      |
 +-------------------+------------+-----------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | nRF52833 DK       | PCA10100   | :zephyr:board:`nrf52833dk <nrf52833dk>`             | ``nrf52833dk/nrf52833``                                               |
 |                   |            |                                                     |                                                                       |

@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ Zephyr and the |NCS| provide support and contain board definitions for developin
      - `Product Specification <nRF52805 Product Specification_>`_
    * - :zephyr:board:`nrf52840dongle`
      - PCA10059
-     - ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840``
+     - | ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840``
+       | ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare``
      - | `Product Specification <nRF52840 Product Specification_>`_
        | `User Guide <nRF52840 Dongle User Guide_>`_
    * - :zephyr:board:`nrf21540dk`

@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@
 
 | :ref:`nRF52840 Dongle <ug_nrf52>` | PCA10059 | :zephyr:board:`nrf52840dongle <nrf52840dongle>` | ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840`` |
 
+.. nrf52840dongle_nrf52840_bare
+
+| nRF52840 Dongle (:ref:`variant without onboard USB bootloader <app_boards>`) | PCA10059 | :zephyr:board:`nrf52840dongle <nrf52840dongle>` | ``nrf52840dongle/nrf52840/bare`` |
+
 .. nrf9160dk_nrf9160
 
 | :ref:`nRF9160 DK <ug_nrf9160>` | PCA10090 | :ref:`nrf9160dk <zephyr:nrf9160dk_nrf9160>` | ``nrf9160dk/nrf9160``  |

@@ -208,7 +208,9 @@ nRF5340 Audio
 nRF Desktop
 -----------
 
-|no_changes_yet_note|
+* Updated:
+
+  * The ``bare`` variant of the nRF52840 Dongle board target to indicate that the application does not use the onboard USB bootloader and will overwrite it.
 
 nRF Machine Learning (Edge Impulse)
 -----------------------------------

@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ manifest:
     # https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/zephyr/guides/modules.html
     - name: zephyr
       repo-path: sdk-zephyr
-      revision: 476ad665287a8b92e90ba1ec9a1ebd3241018b7a
+      revision: pull/3007/head
       import:
         # In addition to the zephyr repository itself, NCS also
         # imports the contents of zephyr/west.yml at the above
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ manifest:
           compare-by-default: true
     - name: mcuboot
       repo-path: sdk-mcuboot
-      revision: 1b1a37fb7abf8b6e5f7d1e05daacd0081ce2844e
+      revision: pull/469/head
       path: bootloader/mcuboot
     - name: qcbor
       url: https://github.com/laurencelundblade/QCBOR