How to Install Raspberry Pi Imager on Ubuntu (Full Guide)

Raspberry Pi Imager is now a must-have for any Raspberry Pi user. It allows us to flash a new system to an SD card in seconds, by simply picking the system from a list. It’s available for Ubuntu, and in this article, I’ll show you how to get the most out of it.

Raspberry Pi Imager is now available in the default Ubuntu repository, and so can be installed on recent Ubuntu releases in a few clicks. It’s listed in the “Ubuntu Software” tool, or available via the package manager (APT).

In this article, I’ll guide you through the installation (which is pretty straightforward), but most importantly, I’ll also guide you through the first steps of using this great tool, and the hidden options you should know about.

How to Install Raspberry Pi Imager on Ubuntu

There are basically two main ways to install Raspberry Pi Imager on Ubuntu:

• Use the package manager (Ubuntu Software or APT)
• Download it from the official website.

While using the website may sometimes offer a more recent version, using the repository is faster and keeps the package up-to-date when running system updates.

Recommended: Use Ubuntu Software

As Raspberry Pi Imager is now available in the default repository, the easiest way to install it on Ubuntu is to use “Ubuntu Software”:

• Open “App Center” from the shortcuts in the left menu.
• Search for “raspberry pi imager” and you should find it easily in the first results:
  
• You can then install it in one click, as with any other application listed here.
  
• It will ask for your password to confirm the installation, and a few seconds later, the app will be available in your applications list.

Alternatives: APT or Manual Installation

If you prefer the command line, you can always open a terminal to install Imager.

With APT

Raspberry Pi Imager is available in Ubuntu’s default repository and can be installed with:
sudo apt install rpi-imager

Manual Installation

If for any reason, the previous methods don’t work, or if you want to get the latest version available, you can also visit the official download page, and get the latest package for Ubuntu.

The benefit of this method is that you get the most recently updated version from the source.

Launching the AppImage

Raspberry Pi Imager is now downloaded as an AppImage file.
Here’s how to give it permission to run on your system:

• Open a terminal.
• Install the library needed to run AppImage files:
  sudo apt install libfuse2
• Navigate to the folder where you downloaded Raspberry Pi Imager.
  For example:
  cd ~/Downloads
• Give the AppImage file executable permissions:
  chmod +x imager_2.0.0_amd64.AppImage
• Launch the App:
  sudo ./imager_2.0.0_amd64.AppImage

From now on, if you double-click the AppImage in your file manager, it should open.

Tip: Command lines can be a pain to memorize. I put the essential Linux commands on a printable cheat sheet so you don't have to keep googling them. You can grab the PDF here if you want to save some time.

Creating a Desktop Shortcut

Once you get it loading, maybe you want an easier way to find it in the Ubuntu launcher.
Here’s how to create a desktop shortcut for it:

• Move the AppImage file to where you want to store it on your system.
  For example:
  mkdir -p ~/Applications
mv imager_2.0.0_amd64.AppImage ~/Applications
• Get a PNG file if you want to use it for the shortcut icon:
  wget https://brandslogos.com/wp-content/uploads/images/large/raspberry-pi-logo.png -O ~/Applications/imager.png
• Create a shortcut file:
  nano ~/.local/share/applications/imager.desktop
• Paste these lines in it (don’t forget to replace ‘pat’ with your user):
  [Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=Raspberry Pi Imager 2.0
Exec=sh -c "pkexec env DISPLAY=$DISPLAY XAUTHORITY=$XAUTHORITY /home/pat/Applications/imager_2.0.0_amd64.AppImage"
Icon=/home/pat/Applications/imager.png
Terminal=false
Categories=Utility;
• Save and exit (CTRL+X, Y, ENTER).

It should now appear in the launcher.

How to Use Raspberry Pi Imager

Once Raspberry Pi Imager is installed, it can be used to flash any operating system to an SD card or a USB drive. Some operating systems are directly supported and can be installed in one click. And the other operating systems can be flashed by using a custom image.

Note: The steps below are for the new release of Raspberry Pi Imager, version 2.0+.
The official Ubuntu app store/repository might still be providing the older 1.x versions.

Flash an Operating System from the List

The basic use of Raspberry Pi Imager is to flash a system available from the “OS List” provided.
Here is how to do this:

• The default view of Raspberry Pi Imager looks like this:
  
• There are 3 main choices to make:
  – “Device”, where you can filter the OS list for the device you want to install on (optional).
  – “OS”, where you’ll get the operating system list I’m talking about.
  – “Storage”, to select the storage media you’ll use for your new setup.
• Optional: click on “Choose device” to filter the systems list:
  
  If I pick “Raspberry Pi 5”, I will only see compatible systems in the next step. But if you want to see everything, scroll down to select the “No filtering” option at the end.
• When you click NEXT to get to “OS”, a menu like this will show up:
  
  On the first line, you have Raspberry Pi OS with Desktop (64-bit version), which you’ll probably use most of the time if you have a recent Raspberry Pi. But then, you can also browse the different submenus to find other operating systems that are supported by this tool.
  
  For example, under the “Raspberry Pi OS (other)” section, you’ll find all the other versions of Raspberry Pi OS (Lite, Full, etc.). Under “Other general-purpose OS”, you’ll find well-supported distributions like Ubuntu or Manjaro, with submenus for all their different flavors.
  
  These are all images for usage on a Raspberry Pi, if you plan to use Raspberry Pi Imager for a traditional PC, jump to the next section in this article: “Flash a custom image”.
  
• To continue this example, let’s click on “Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit)”.
  Click the NEXT button to move on to the next step.
• Insert the media you’ll use to install your new system.
  It can be an SD card if you have an SD card reader (integrated or via a USB adapter like this one), a USB drive (like the flash disk I use all the time or even an SSD plugged into the computer via USB).
• On the “Storage” menu, pick the corresponding drive from the list.
  
  Make sure not to select media storage that you use for something else (the one used for the current OS is hidden, but if you have a backup drive or anything like that it may be listed).
• The ‘Customisation’ section will provide extra choices if the OS being installed supports it.
  • It allows you to set default settings directly before the first boot (hostname, username and password, SSH, etc.). More about this later.
  • This part is purely optional. You can click SKIP CUSTOMISATION at the bottom if you want.
• On the “Write” section, you’ll see a summary of your choices.
  Click WRITE to start.
  
• The flashing process will then begin.
  The storage device will be formatted, and all system files copied to it.

The installation will take a few minutes. It may take more time if you are flashing a specific image for the first time or if you have a slow internet connection.

That’s because Raspberry Imager will first download the image from the system maintainer and then flash it onto your media storage. The second time you flash the same image, it will already be cached on your disk and will be installed faster (no download required).

It will be mentioned under the image name if the file is already cached on your computer:

Flash a Custom Image

But the great thing about Raspberry Pi Imager is that it’s not limited to the OS list: it can be used to flash any image (whether it’s for a Raspberry Pi or a normal PC).

Even if a distribution or architecture is not listed, you can still use Imager to create bootable media with it.

For example, if you have downloaded an image manually from the official website of any distribution, you can also use Raspberry Pi Imager to flash it:

• When you get to “OS” section, select “Use custom” at the bottom of the list.
  
• A window will show up, asking you to pick the image you want to use.
  All file formats are supported, you don’t even need to extract the image file.
• Then follow the same steps previously mentioned, picking the media you intend to use and clicking on “WRITE” to start the installation.

Raspberry Pi Imager Advanced Options

Since this tool was first released, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has remained focused on its development and has continued adding new features regularly.

Let’s take a look at some interesting features you can try with Raspberry Pi Imager.

Special Features Available in the OS List

You may have noticed that the OS list not only includes Linux distributions but also other tools:

• Misc utility images: In this subsection, you’ll find ways to update and change the bootloader on your Raspberry Pi, without having to install Raspberry Pi OS first. This can be useful if you want to switch from SD to USB boot or if you intend to try the new network boot feature on your Raspberry Pi.
  You’ll also find PINN OS there, which is a great tool for multi-boot (more details here).
  
  
• Erase: Quickly format your SD card or USB drive with this feature. You could also use Gparted as explained here, but Raspberry Pi Imager has this feature built-in.

OS Customization

Last, but not least, if you use this tool for a Raspberry Pi, you can pre-configure your system before the first boot with the advanced options available for some distributions (especially for Raspberry Pi OS and Debian-based distributions).

With the latest version of Raspberry Pi Imager, it’s pretty hard to miss these options, but let’s take a moment to explain what it is and why you should use them.

By accepting to edit them, you can set up the default settings for your new system. For example, you can create the first user and password (which is now a mandatory step on new installations), enable SSH or change the localization options (keyboard layout and time zone).

I encourage you to use this feature, especially if you regularly flash Raspberry Pi OS again and again. Personally, I do it almost every day, and I save a lot of time by filling out this form. These settings are saved so you can apply them quickly the next time you flash another image.

If you set a username and password (don’t use “pi”), it’ll skip the first boot wizard that has been added for security reasons in the latest versions.

This is particularly useful for a headless installation of a Raspberry Pi, but can save you time in most cases.

Whenever you're ready, here are other ways I can help you:

Master Linux Commands: Overwhelmed with Linux commands? This book is your essential guide to mastering the terminal. It includes practical tips, real-world examples, and a bonus cheat sheet to keep by your side.

The RaspberryTips Community: Need help with Linux or want to chat with people who actually get it? Join the RaspberryTips Community and get access to private forums, exclusive lessons, and direct support.

You can also find all my recommendations for tools and hardware on this page.