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Install System to MicroSD Card

This guide explains how to install the operating system onto a MicroSD card.

warning

Installing the system will format the MicroSD card. Please back up any important data in advance!

Hardware Requirements​

Prepare the following hardware in advance:

  • Boot media: MicroSD card
  • Card reader: MicroSD card reader

Hardware Connection​

  1. Insert the MicroSD card into the card reader
  2. Connect the card reader to a USB port on your PC

Software Preparation​

Use the open-source image flashing tool Etcher to write the system image to the MicroSD card.

Download System Image​

Go to the Downloads page to download and extract the system image file to your PC.

Download Etcher​

Download the appropriate version of Balena Etcher for your operating system from the official website: balenaEtcher.

Using Etcher​

Using Etcher​

After downloading, double-click to open the Etcher application.

tip

  • Windows

    • The downloaded file will be an *.exe installer. Double-click to run the program.

  • Linux

    • It's recommended to download the *.zip archive. After extraction, double-click the program to run it.

  • macOS

    • Download the appropriate *.dmg file for your system architecture. After opening, drag the application to your Applications folder to install. Then double-click the app icon to run it.
Etcher installation instructions

Installing the System Image​

  1. Select the system image
    • Click the Flash from file button
    • Choose the downloaded and extracted system image file
Selecting system image in Etcher
  1. Select the target device
    • Click the Select target button
    • Choose the disk device corresponding to your connected card reader
danger

Be extremely careful to select the correct disk! Etcher will format the selected disk, which could result in permanent data loss if you choose the wrong one!

Selecting target disk in Etcher

① Select the disk device where you want to install the system image

② Click Select 1 to confirm your device selection

Confirming disk selection in Etcher
  1. Write the system image
    • Click the Flash! button
    • Wait for the software to write and verify the system image
Starting the flash process in Etcher

Writing system image...

Writing system image progress

Verifying system image...

Verification in progress
  1. After successfully writing the system image, close the Etcher application.

System Information​

When using our provided system image for the first time, you'll need to log in with the default credentials:

  • Username: radxa
  • Password: radxa