# A Simplified ESP32 Boot Process Using Single-Image Binaries

DevFeed: [A Simplified ESP32 Boot Process Using Single-Image Binaries](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/simple-boot-explained-13707.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://developer.espressif.com/blog/2025/06/simple-boot-explained/>)

Author: John Lee

Published: 2025-06-30T00:00:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Blog on Developer Portal](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/blog-on-developer-portal.md>)

Topics: [Boot Process](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/boot-process.md>), [ESP32](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/esp32.md>), [Embedded Systems](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/embedded-systems.md>), [Development](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/development.md>), [Code](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/code.md>)

Tags: [article](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/article.md>), [blog](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/blog.md>), [boot-process](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/boot-process.md>), [bootloader](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/bootloader.md>), [development](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/development.md>), [embedded-systems](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/embedded-systems.md>), [esp-idf](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/esp-idf.md>), [esp32](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/esp32.md>), [flash](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/flash.md>), [nuttx](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/nuttx.md>), [simpleboot](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/simpleboot.md>), [speed](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/speed.md>), [zephyr](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/zephyr.md>)

## AI overview

This article explains how to create a simplified ESP32 bootable image by integrating essential bootloader functionality into the application image. The single-image approach can reduce build and flashing time for development workflows, but it sacrifices features such as OTA updates.

## Source excerpt

In this article, we explore a simplified ESP32 boot process using single-image binaries to speed up build and flash times -- ideal for development workflows. This approach sacrifices features like OTA updates but enables faster iteration.