---
title: Raspberry Pi Installation
slug: litmusedge-v2/quickstart-guide/installation-and-deployments/raspberry-pi-installation
description: Learn how to install Litmus Edge with Raspberry Pi. 
docTags: 
createdAt: 2024-01-09T15:48:38.674Z
---

You can install Litmus Edge on a Raspberry Pi (version 3 or 4) by using [balenaEtcher](https://etcher.balena.io/) (recommended for Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu) or terminal commands (for advanced users on Linux-based systems). 

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**: You can't upgrade Litmus Edge versions on Raspberry Pi. You must reinstall newer Litmus Edge versions. See [Backup/Restore](docId\:YNGBydWN0kRmFsyD_5J_Y) to learn more about backing up your data and managing templates before reinstalling a newer version. 
:::

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/kTXM_GkgQ5_5XYygKzZPk_rpi4.jpg" size="80" width="3047" height="2171" position="center" caption="Raspberry Pi 4 Model B" showCaption="true"}

# Before You Begin

- Make sure you use Raspberry Pi version 3 or 4. We recommend a minimum of 4 GB of RAM, with 8 GB of RAM being ideal for optimal performance.
- Contact support\@litmus.io to get a Litmus Edge license. 
- Download the appropriate Litmus Edge image file (`litmusedge-std_[version number]-arm64.gz`) from the [Litmus Central Portal](https://central.litmus.io/).
- You will need to format an SD card (minimum of 16GB). See the steps below.

## Format SD Card

1. Remove the SD card from the Raspberry Pi and insert it into your computer.
2. Format the SD card to one partition using the FAT32 file system with a formatting tool such as [GParted](https://gparted.org/) or [Windows Disk Management](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-and-format-a-hard-disk-partition-bbb8e185-1bda-ecd1-3465-c9728f7d7d2e).

# Installation Using balenaEtcher

balenaEtcher is a user-friendly, graphical tool for writing images to SD cards, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu. 

**To install using balenaEtcher:**

1. [Download](https://etcher.balena.io/#download-etcher) and open balenaEtcher on your computer. 
2. Click **Flash from file**, then select the Litmus Edge image file you downloaded.
   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/NS7CYlyrzwl7Kz53IIDoK_balenaetcher01.png" size="80" width="800" height="505" position="center" caption="Flash from file option" showCaption="true"}
3. Click **Select target** and select your SD card.
   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/RLWy2F3jmnns0y1D5SoN0_balenaetcher02.png" size="80" width="798" height="478" position="center" caption="Select target option" showCaption="true"}
4. Click **Flash **to start, then wait for balenaEtcher to finish.
   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/hjGoIbphhOYq-sMKpTPg4_balenaetcher03.png" size="80" width="798" height="478" position="center" caption="Flash option" showCaption="true"}
5. Once balenaEtcher shows the completed screen, safely eject the SD card from your computer.
   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/2I5fEwktOXVyGxCspykim_balenaetcher04.png" size="80" width="798" height="478" position="center" caption="Flash completed screen" showCaption="true"}
6. Insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi and power up the Raspberry Pi. 
7. Litmus Edge will boot and the Litmus Edge Terminal User Interface (TUI) will appear if a monitor is connected to the Raspberry Pi. 

## Log in to Litmus Edge

Once the Litmus Edge TUI loads, you can log in to Litmus Edge. 

- See [Access the Terminal User Interface](docId\:gsDVWB7QWhdhuQf7fkAHC) for instructions on how to navigate and log in for the first time.
- See [Access the Litmus Edge Web UI](docId\:Y_HKza2PmC4IRUk-EBOuK) for details on logging in. 

# Installation Using Terminal 

Complete the following steps to install Litmus Edge using terminal commands. 

**To import the LE image from the terminal:**

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Use `df -h` to identify the mount point of your SD card.
3. Copy and run the commands below with your SD card's path and the downloaded Litmus Edge image file name. Replace `/dev/sde` with the correct mount path, and replace `litmusedge-std_3.11.0-arm64.gz` with the correct file name and Litmus Edge version based on the file you downloaded. 
   - The first two commands are used to set environment variables for the SD card mount and LE image file paths.
   - The third command unzips the image and writes it to the SD card.

```linux
SDCARD_SLOT=/dev/sde
GZ_SDCARD_IMAGE=litmusedge-std_3.11.0-arm64.gz
gzip -cd ${GZ_SDCARD_IMAGE} | sudo dd of=${SDCARD_SLOT} bs=4M conv=notrunc,noerror status=progress ; sync
```

     4\. Once the *gzip* command completes, safely eject the SD card from your computer.
     5\. Insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi and power up the Raspberry Pi.
     6\. Litmus Edge will boot and the Litmus Edge Terminal User Interface (TUI) will appear if
         monitor is connected to the Raspberry Pi. 

## Log in to Litmus Edge

Once the Litmus Edge TUI loads, you can log in to Litmus Edge. 

- See [Access the Terminal User Interface](docId\:gsDVWB7QWhdhuQf7fkAHC) for instructions on how to navigate and log in for the first time.
- See [Access the Litmus Edge Web UI](docId\:Y_HKza2PmC4IRUk-EBOuK) for details on logging in.