Learn Pi Imager, How to Use Raspberry Pi Imager

How Does Raspberry Pi Imager Work?

The Raspberry Pi Imager makes the image creation process much easier. It brings together all of the most popular image creation tools and software you need in one package. You don't even need NOOBS to install Raspbian. The Raspberry Pi Imager includes Raspbian as well as a few other operating systems. If something isn't listed, you can use a custom tool to add your own image.

How to install Raspberry Pi Imager

The Raspberry Pi Imager is free to install from the Raspberry Pi's official website. It is available for macOS, Windows, and Ubuntu systems.

Step 1. Go to the Raspberry Pi download page.

Step 2. Download the Raspberry Pi Imager installer for your operating system.

Step 3. Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete setup.

Built-in Raspberry Pi Imager image recording

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You can use the Raspberry Pi Imager to burn images to an SD card for the Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi Imager comes with a number of operating systems to choose from, so you don't have to download anything individually. If you want to install a custom image, you can follow the instructions in the next step.

Step 1. Launch Raspberry Pi Imager.

Step 2. Click Choose OS . This feature partially replaces NOOBS, providing a few basic operating systems like Raspbian.

Step 3. Select an operating system from the list.

Step 4. Click Choose SD card .

Step 5. Choose from the list of SD cards you want to burn to.

Step 6. Click Write to start the image burning process.

Burn a custom image

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Custom Raspberry Pi image files (such as .zip, .img, .tar, .gz, etc.) can be burned using the Raspberry Pi imager. You must download the image file from a third-party source. For example, to install RetroPie you need the image file from the download page on the RetroPie website.

Step 1. Launch Raspberry Pi Imager.

Step 2. Click Choose OS .

Step 3. Select Use custom to write an image that is not listed.

Step 4. Click Choose SD card .

Step 5. Choose from the list of SD cards you want to burn to.

Step 6. Click Write to start the image burning process.

The included operating systems

The Raspberry Pi Imager comes with a handful of operating systems. It does not replace NOOBS, but offers a few operating systems to choose from. You can even install LibreELEC, an open source Linux distribution for Kodi.

The available operating systems include

1. Raspbian
2. LibreELEC
3. Ubuntu

Additional tools

In addition to the operating system, there are several tools available with the Raspberry Pi Imager in the Choose OS option . These tools include:

1. EEPROM Recovery - Only for Raspberry Pi 4
2. Erase tool - This tool is used to format the SD card to FAT32.

Raspberry Pi Imager Alternatives

If for some reason you don't want or can't use the Raspberry Pi Imager, you can choose to use an alternative app. Here are some options that many people have believed in over the years.

1. balenaEtcher - The application runs on Windows, MacOS and Ubuntu.
2. Win32 Disk Imager - Image creation software designed for Windows machines.

Marvin Fry

Update 15 September 2020