yes open-hardware router ASUS ASUS RT-AC88U ASUS RT-AC88U
ASUS RT-AC88U
Router · ASUS
Yes Difficulty
Hard
Brick risk
High
Legal risk
Medium
High brick risk. A bad flash, unlock, or downgrade can permanently disable the device. Read the specialist guide for this exact model and firmware before you touch it.
How-to
Notes
OpenWrt current release 24.10.4, target bcm53xx.
OpenWrt unsupported functions: White WAN LED.
FreshTomato note: Supported from r2022.6 (forum thread) This image supports only ports LAN1–4 + WAN; the RTL8365MB switch (ports LAN5–8) are not supported. r2024.4 and later add basic support for LAN Ports 5 - 8.
Asuswrt-Merlin also lists it (legacy, no longer supported).
Check the exact hardware revision on the label before flashing.
SourcesLast verified Oct 22, 2026
- https://openwrt.org/toh/asus/rt-ac88u openwrt.org
- https://wiki.freshtomato.org/doku.php/hardware_compatibility wiki.freshtomato.org