What is the best way to install UmbrelOS on Raspberry Pi 5?

1

I saw the documentation and they recommend a USB drive, however the videos I watch use the micro SD…
By the way, if I install on a USB drive, can I still use an SSD?

2

I’d follow the path to creating a flash or usb, whatever you have - as you’ll typically use it just once (USB). From there, you’ll install Umbrel onto the flash or SSD, and that’s where it will boot in the future. The usb will just be a backup. Umbrel needs to run on the ssd for quick read/write of the file system.

3

Let’s walk through installing Umbrel on your Raspberry Pi 5 with a USB drive, flash drive, and 2 TB SSD. I had to make a few assumptions. :slight_smile:

What You’ll Need

  • Raspberry Pi 5 (powered off for now)
  • USB drive or flash drive (at least 8 GB; we’ll use this to boot umbrelOS)
  • 2 TB SSD (for storing data, connected via USB)
  • Computer (to prepare the drive)
  • Ethernet cable (for a stable internet connection)
  • Official Raspberry Pi power supply (third-party ones can cause issues)
  • MicroSD card reader (if your computer needs it to access the USB/flash drive)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Download umbrelOS and Balena Etcher

  1. On your computer, go to umbrel.com and find the download section for umbrelOS for Raspberry Pi 5. It’s usually labeled clearly, like “umbrelOS for Raspberry Pi 5.”
  2. Download the latest umbrelOS image file (it’ll be a .zip file).
  3. Next, download Balena Etcher from balena.io/etcher. This tool flashes the umbrelOS image onto your USB or flash drive. Install it on your computer.

Step 2: Flash umbrelOS to the USB or Flash Drive

  1. Plug your USB drive or flash drive into your computer. (I’ll assume you’re using the USB drive for this, but the process is identical for the flash drive.)
  2. Open Balena Etcher.
  3. Click “Flash from file” and select the umbrelOS .zip file you downloaded.
  4. Click “Select target” and choose your USB drive. Double-check it’s the right one—everything on it will be erased!
  5. Click “Flash!” and wait. It’ll take a few minutes. When done, Etcher will say “Flash Complete.” Safely eject the USB drive from your computer.

Step 3: Set Up the Raspberry Pi 5

  1. Insert the flashed USB drive into one of the USB ports on your Raspberry Pi 5 (any port works, but use a blue USB 3.0 port for speed).
  2. Connect your 2 TB SSD to another USB port on the Pi (again, a blue USB 3.0 port is best).
  3. Plug the Ethernet cable into the Pi and your router for internet.
  4. Connect the official power supply to the Pi and plug it in. The Pi will power on and start booting from the USB drive.

Step 4: Access Umbrel

  1. Wait 5-10 minutes for the Pi to boot up and install umbrelOS. It’s setting itself up on the USB drive and will format the 2 TB SSD to store data (like the Bitcoin blockchain if you use that app).
  2. On your computer (connected to the same network), open a web browser and type http://umbrel.local in the address bar. Hit Enter.
  3. If it loads, you’ll see the Umbrel setup page! Follow the on-screen instructions to create a password and set up your node. You’re done!

Step 5: Verify It’s Working

  1. Once set up, the Umbrel dashboard should show your 2 TB SSD as the storage drive. You can install apps like Nextcloud or a Bitcoin node from the App Store on the dashboard.
  2. If it’s running smoothly, congrats—you’ve got Umbrel installed!

What Ifs: Troubleshooting Common Issues

What If http://umbrel.local Doesn’t Work?

  • Fix: The .local address sometimes fails depending on your network. Find your Pi’s IP address instead:
    1. Log into your router (usually via 192.168.1.1 in a browser; check your router’s manual for the exact address).
    2. Look for connected devices and find the Raspberry Pi’s IP (e.g., 192.168.1.100).
    3. In your browser, type http://[that IP address] (e.g., http://192.168.1.100) and try again.
  • Why: Network settings can block .local resolution, but the IP always works.

What If the Pi Doesn’t Boot?

  • Fix: No lights or activity on the Pi means it’s not booting from the USB drive.
    1. Double-check the USB drive is plugged in securely.
    2. Re-flash the USB drive with Etcher—sometimes the first flash fails silently.
    3. Ensure you’re using the official power supply; underpowered Pi’s won’t boot.
  • Why: The Pi 5 prioritizes booting from USB if it’s set up right, but a bad flash or power issue can stop it.

What If Umbrel Says “No External Drive Found”?

  • Fix: Umbrel needs the 2 TB SSD to store data and might not see it.
    1. Unplug the SSD, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back into a different USB port (preferably blue).
    2. Restart the Pi by unplugging and replugging the power.
    3. If it still fails, the SSD might need reformatting. Plug it into your computer, use Disk Utility (Mac) or Disk Management (Windows) to erase it to exFAT or NTFS, then retry.
  • Why: Umbrel expects a compatible, empty drive. Some SSDs have weird partitions from prior use.

What If the Setup Hangs or Takes Forever?

  • Fix: If it’s stuck for over 30 minutes:
    1. Power off the Pi, remove the USB drive, and re-flash it with Etcher.
    2. Check your internet connection—plug the Ethernet directly into your modem if possible.
    3. Start over with the SSD unplugged, then plug it in after the dashboard loads.
  • Why: A bad flash or network hiccup can stall the initial setup.

What If I Want to Use the Flash Drive Instead of the USB Drive?

  • Fix: No change needed! Just use the flash drive in Step 2 instead of the USB drive. The process is the same.
  • Why: Both work as boot drives; it’s just a matter of which you prefer.

Tips for Success

  • Use the 2 TB SSD for data—it’s big enough for heavy apps like a Bitcoin node (which needs 1 TB+).
  • Stick to the USB drive or flash drive for booting; microSD cards wear out faster and aren’t recommended for umbrelOS.
  • If you’re nervous, watch a YouTube tutorial (search “Umbrel Raspberry Pi 5 setup”) alongside these steps for visuals.

That’s it! You should be up and running with Umbrel. If anything else goes wrong, let me know what you see, and I’ll guide you through it simply—no Linux wizardry required.

4

Hi,

Is Umbrel on a Raspberry Pi still a thing? Where are the instructions on umbrel.com? I don’t see them anymore?

5

Here GitHub - getumbrel/umbrel: A beautiful home server OS for self-hosting with an app store. Buy a pre-built Umbrel Home with umbrelOS, or install on a Raspberry Pi or any x86 system.

6

Just a quick question. I have a 2TB usb drive and a 2TB external SSD drive.

After I boot the Pi5 from the USB how will I ensure that everything else is stored on the 2TB SSD?

Or should I just flash the Umbrel OS onto the external SSD and skip using the USB drive?

7

I’d use the SSD for speed and the USB as backup. So get the OS over to the SSD like so…

Flash Umbrel OS Directly to the External SSD (Recommended)

This approach skips the USB drive entirely, flashing Umbrel OS onto the 2TB external SSD and using it for both booting and data storage. This is my preferred method, and here’s why I’m bullish on it: SSDs are faster, more reliable, and better suited for Umbrel’s demanding workload.

Steps to Set Up:

  1. Flash Umbrel OS to the SSD:
  • Connect the 2TB external SSD to your computer via a USB port.
  • Download the latest Umbrel OS image for Raspberry Pi 5.
  • Use Balena Etcher to flash the image onto the SSD. Select the SSD as the target drive, flash, and safely eject when complete.

  1. Connect and Boot:
  • Attach the SSD to a USB 3.0 port on the Raspberry Pi 5.
  • Ensure no bootable microSD card is inserted to avoid boot priority issues.

  • Power on the Pi with the official 27W power supply. Umbrel OS will boot from the SSD and automatically partition it to store both the OS and data (e.g., Bitcoin blockchain, app data).

  1. Access and Verify:
  • Wait a few minutes, then access Umbrel OS at http://umbrel.local. Complete the setup wizard.
  • Confirm that data is being stored on the SSD by checking storage usage (df -h via SSH or within Umbrel’s dashboard if available). The SSD’s full 2TB (minus OS overhead) should be available for data.
  1. Optional: Optimize Boot Order:
  • If you encounter boot issues, update the bootloader firmware to ensure USB boot compatibility. Boot from a temporary microSD card with Raspberry Pi OS, run sudo rpi-eeprom-update -d -a, and set the boot order to prioritize USB via raspi-config (Advanced Options > Boot Order > USB Boot).

  • Remove the microSD card after updating.

Pros:

  • Performance: SSDs offer faster read/write speeds (up to 300-400 MB/s on USB 3.0 vs. 20-100 MB/s for USB drives), making Umbrel OS run smoother, especially for blockchain syncing.

  • Durability: SSDs handle frequent writes better than USB drives, reducing the risk of failure.

  • Simplicity: No need to manually configure data storage; Umbrel OS automatically uses the SSD for everything.

  • Frees Up Ports: Only one USB port is used, leaving others for peripherals.

Cons:

  • If the SSD fails, you lose both OS and data (mitigate with regular backups).
  • Slightly more expensive if you’re already invested in the USB drive.
8

Thank you so much for the reply. Appreciate your help.