===== Balena Etcher (Windows, Linux and MacOS) ===== This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to write an image to an SD card using Balena Etcher. Balena Etcher is a user-friendly and open-source tool designed for flashing operating system images to SD cards, USB drives, and other removable storage devices. It simplifies the process of writing images to storage media like sd-cards. {{ :en:general_information:tutorial:baleneretcher.png?direct&600 | BalenaEtcher UI}} \\ **Prerequisites** * Computer with Windows, Linux or MacOS * Administrator Rights * SD card reader on your computer * Image file to write to the SD card (e.g. .wic, .img, .iso) ==== Step 1: Download and Install Balena Etcher ==== Download and install Balena Etcher on your computer: [[https://www.balena.io/etcher/|Balena Etcher Download]] ==== Step 2: Insert the SD Card ==== Insert the SD card into your computer's SD card reader. ==== Step 3: Open Balena Etcher ==== Launch Balena Etcher on your computer. ==== Step 4: Select the Image ==== - Click on the "Flash from file" button. - Select the image file you want to write to the SD card. ==== Step 5: Choose the Target ==== - Click on the "Select target" button. - Choose your SD card from the list. Make sure you select the correct SD card. The size and name of the card can be used here. ==== Step 6: Start the Flashing Process ==== Ensure that you have backed up any important data on the SD card before starting this process, as it will be overwritten! - Click on the "Flash!" button to start writing the image to the SD card. - Balena Etcher will validate the write process. ==== Step 7: Complete the Process ==== - Once the flashing process is complete, Balena Etcher will display a success message. - Safely eject the SD card from your computer. ===== Write Image to SD Card with dd (Linux) ===== This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to write an image to an SD card using the **dd** command on a Linux system. **Prerequisites:** * Linux computer * SD card reader on your computer * Image file to write to the SD card ==== Step 1: Insert the SD Card ==== Insert the SD card into your computer's SD card reader. ==== Step 2: Identify the SD Card Device ==== Open a terminal and run the following command to list connected storage devices: lsblk Identify your SD card device from the list. It will typically be something like ''/dev/sdX'', where ''X'' is a letter corresponding to your SD card. Make sure you select the correct SD card. You can also write to eMMCs. In this case, the name changes to **/dev/mmcblkX** ==== Step 3: Write the Image Using dd ==== Ensure that you have backed up any important data on the SD card before starting this process, as it will be overwritten! Run the ''dd'' command to write the image to the SD card. Replace ''/path/to/image.wic'' with the path to your image file, and ''/dev/sdX'' with your SD card device: sudo dd if=/path/to/image.wic of=/dev/sdX conv=fsync bs=1M status=progress This command reads the image file (''if'') and writes it to the SD card device (''of''). The ''status=progress'' option provides real-time progress information. ==== Step 4: Verify the Write Process ==== After ''dd'' completes, run the following command to sync and ensure all data is written to the SD card: sudo sync ==== Step 5: Eject the SD Card ==== Eject the SD card from your computer: sudo eject /dev/sdX The SD card is now ready for use.