jmfwolf
jmfwolf
Software Engineer
Feb 18, 2023 2 min read

How to Flash Armbian with Balena Etcher

Armbian is a Debian-based operating system designed for ARM-based devices. It is an excellent choice for those who want to run a lightweight and efficient operating system on their single-board computer or other ARM-based devices. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to flash Armbian onto a memory device using Balena Etcher.

Step 1: Download Armbian The first step in flashing Armbian onto a memory device is to download the Armbian image from the official website. Navigate to the “Download” section of the website, and select the appropriate image for your device. Once the download is complete, extract the image file from the zip file.

Step 2: Download Balena Etcher The next step is to download Balena Etcher, a free and open-source utility that allows you to flash operating system images onto memory devices. Balena Etcher is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Visit the Balena Etcher website and download the appropriate version for your operating system.

Step 3: Insert your Memory Device Insert the memory device that you want to flash with Armbian into your computer’s USB port. Note that all data on the device will be erased during the flashing process, so make sure to backup any important data before proceeding.

Step 4: Open Balena Etcher Launch Balena Etcher on your computer. It should automatically detect your memory device. If not, click on the “Select target” button to choose your memory device manually.

Step 5: Select the Armbian Image Click on the “Select image” button in Balena Etcher and navigate to the location where you saved the Armbian image file. Select the image file and click on “Open.”

Step 6: Flash the Armbian Image Once you have selected the image file, click on the “Flash!” button in Balena Etcher to begin the flashing process. The process may take a few minutes, depending on the speed of your memory device.

Step 7: Eject the Memory Device Once the flashing process is complete, eject the memory device from your computer and insert it into your device. You can now boot up your device and start using Armbian.

In conclusion, flashing Armbian onto a memory device using Balena Etcher is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few minutes. Balena Etcher is a simple and reliable tool that makes the process of flashing operating system images onto memory devices a breeze. With Armbian, you can run a lightweight and efficient operating system on your single-board computer or other ARM-based devices.