Raspberry Pi OS: Flash a microSD Card With Pi Imager
Raspberry Pi OS (via Raspberry Pi Imager)
Developer: Raspberry Pi Ltd (opens in a new tab)
The download link points to the program’s official source; the file is not hosted on this site. Link address: raspberrypi.com
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Raspberry Pi OS is the free operating system maintained by Raspberry Pi Ltd for Raspberry Pi computers. It is installed with Raspberry Pi Imager, a free tool for Windows, macOS and Linux that writes the system to a microSD card and can preconfigure user, Wi-Fi and SSH.
Raspberry Pi OS is the operating system the Raspberry Pi team builds and tests for its boards. The simplest and officially recommended way to install it is Raspberry Pi Imager, which runs on your regular computer and prepares the microSD card for you.
What you need
- A computer with an SD card reader, running Windows, macOS or Linux (x86_64 AppImage).
- A microSD card (all of its contents will be erased).
- Raspberry Pi Imager from the official software page; on Raspberry Pi OS itself it is available through apt.
Step by step
- Open Imager and choose your Raspberry Pi model in the Device tab.
- In the OS tab, pick an operating system. The recommended system for your model is at the top of the list; you can also load a custom image.
- Select the storage device, and take care to choose the correct one.
Customise before writing
When the OS supports it, Imager opens a customisation tab where you can set the hostname, time zone and keyboard layout, the username and password, Wi-Fi network details and SSH access. Raspberry Pi strongly recommends doing this now; for a Pi without a screen it is essential so the board can join the network on first boot. If you skip it, the system asks for the same details at first startup.
Good habits
Imager downloads the image itself, so there is no separate ISO to check. Keep a copy of any data on the card before you start, and update the system after the first boot. If you want to try a different board-friendly system, Ubuntu also publishes Raspberry Pi images.
Pros
- Official tool picks the right image for your model
- Wi-Fi, user and SSH can be set before first boot
- Imager available for all major desktop systems
Cons
- Writing erases the whole card
- Needs an SD card reader on the computer
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up Wi-Fi and SSH before the first boot?
Yes. Raspberry Pi Imager's customisation options let you enter Wi-Fi details, a username and password, and enable SSH before writing the card.
Which computers can run Raspberry Pi Imager?
Imager is available for Windows, macOS and Linux (x86_64), and can be installed on Raspberry Pi OS with apt.
Raspberry Pi OS (via Raspberry Pi Imager)Free
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