Can J-Link Edu Mini be used with nrfConnect?

[Scerion]

I have just started a project using an nrf52833DK for evaluation (first time using a Nordic chip). Using the nrfConnect and Toolchain manager with VSCode. I have flashed test code to the dev board ok, but now wish to flash to a custom board with the same MCU using a J-Link Edu Mini programmer. However the NRF Connect addon to VSCode cannot see the J-Link as a connected device. I started a new project, and created a custom board type with the correct MCU but nothing else selected. It builds ok, but cannot flash as the J-Link is never found. The J-Link is powered, shows in device manager, and I did a firmware update on it today.

Can the NRF Connect VSCode addon use a J-Link programmer, or is it designed just for development kits? Should I be using some other commercial software to Flash custom boards. If I have to pay for expensive commercial software then it probably won't be worth using a Nordic MCU for this project.

[Patrick]

I use the j-link edu mini with many different custom nordic devices, both in nrf connect and within VSCode to program and debug. Have you confirmed that the edu mini shows up in J-Link Configurator?

[Scerion]

Yes, it shows up in configurator, and I believe I used that tool to update its firmware. Then unplugged and plugged it back in. I have also tried rebooting the PC. The J-Link appears in device manager fine, but VSCode cannot see it as a connected device.

[Scerion]

I think I found the problem. I found another thread from a few months ago mentioning a bug when updating the nrfConnect SDK to 2.4.0 that changes the setting  "Nrf-connect: Device Provider" from nrfjprog to nrfutil. So when that happens VSCode can no longer see any devices. It seems weird that the setting is even in there, but the fix is to change it back to nrfjprog.