Raspberry Pi Boot From USB – The Ultimate Guide

A Raspberry Pi (RPi) is a powerful minicomputer that can help you accomplish various challenging tasks easily. While most commonly used for learning how to use programming languages like Python or Scratch, it can do virtually everything that a regular desktop computer can. You can easily use it to replace your old PC.

However, you’ll first need to learn how to make RPi boot from USB.

Considering how time-consuming the default microSD boot can be, it’s in your best interest to instead perform a Raspberry Pi boot from USB.

Check out this comprehensive guide on how to boot Raspberry Pi from USB with the utmost ease.

Why Boot Raspberry Pi From USB?

All versions of Raspberry come with a built-in microSD memory card used for booting by default. Only the newer versions of the device, including Raspberry Pi 3 and 4, have introduced USB support that enables you to boot them using external memory – such as USB flash drives or HDDs. This makes it possible to make Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 boot from USB.

Moreover, USB is generally considered a much better option because of its speed boost.

Raspberry Pi’s built-in microSD cards can technically reach read/write speeds of up to 50 Mbps, but in practice, they rarely go over 40 Mbps. By contrast, USBs, depending on your particular device, can easily reach well over 100 Mbps – and often double that.

Here is a comprehensive comparison table for booting RPi from two options:

Things Needed to Boot Raspberry Pi From USB

To let Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 boot from USB is a simple, streamlined process that shouldn’t take you much time. You do, however, need a few extra things to get started.

First and foremost, ensure you have a Raspberry Pi Imager. After all, without it, you wouldn’t be able to install Raspberry Pi (or other) OS on your USB.

In addition to the Imager, you’ll also need a reliable USB drive, an SD card, an SD card reader, and, of course, your Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi Imager

The right imaging software is essential for your RPi USB boot to work. In a nutshell, an imager takes a snapshot of the drive, creating a sector-by-sector copy and replicating essential data such as boot and OS information.

Although you could use various imaging software, it’s in your best interest to use the Raspberry Pi Imager. After all, it was created specifically for Raspberry microcomputers, making it the ideal choice.

You can download it to your computer directly from Raspberry’s website, install it, and prepare for the USB boot.

USB Drive

With your Raspberry Pi Imager ready, it’s time to select the USB drive you’ll use to boot your device. You can use any USB drive you prefer – an SSD or even a USB flash drive. However, it’s in your best interest to go for the former.

An SSD provides excellent speed and performance, making your Raspberry Pi boot with a USB much easier and more convenient. A USB flash drive, on the other hand, could make the process unnecessarily complicated without offering any of the benefits of an SSD. You might even find a USB flash drive to be even slower than the default microSD Raspberry Pi boot.

SD Card

While it might sound off that a Raspberry Pi boot from a USB requires an SD card – since the whole purpose of a USB boot is to avoid using the built-in microSD in the first place – you still need one. If you want to install Raspbian, the native Raspberry Pi operating system, you can only do so with an SD card.

So, you’ll need to put Raspbian on your microSD card first and then enable the USB boot mode later on.

SD Card Reader

Of course, to put Raspbian on your microSD card, you’ll also need an SD card reader on your computer. Depending on your device, you might already have a built-in SD card reader – it’s a small slot opening with “SD” marked on the side. In case your computer doesn’t have one, or in case it doesn’t have one of the right size, you can get yourself an SD card connector or adapter.

SD card reader connectors and adapters come in all shapes and sizes, so simply choose one compatible with your computer and your SD card.

Raspberry Pi

Finally, you’ll need your Raspberry Pi. Remember that, depending on your Raspberry Pi, you might not be able to boot it from USB.

Older versions, including Raspberry Pi 1, Raspberry Pi Zero, and Raspberry Pi Zero W, among others, don’t support USB boot. They will always, by default, use the built-in microSD card with no other alternatives.

The USB boot was first introduced with Raspberry Pi 2 Model B version 1.2, so you can only use the USB boot if you have this or newer version, like Raspberry Pi 3 and Raspberry Pi 4.

Steps to Set Up Raspberry Pi for USB booting

Depending on your Raspberry Pi, you might first need to prepare your device for a USB boot. Newer versions of RPi will have everything in place, ready for you to use a USB boot. However, Raspberry Pi 2B v1.2, Raspberry Pi 3B, 3B+, and 3A+ will need to be set up first:

1. Install Raspbian OS on your SD card;
2. Enter the command sudo apt-get update in the /boot/config.txt file;
3. Enter the command sudo apt-get upgrade;

   

4. Enter the command program_usb_boot_mode=1;
5. Enter the command sudo reboot.

Note: Remember, you will only need to follow these steps and prepare your RPi for booting from the USB if you have versions 2B v1.2, 3B, 3B+, and 3A+. Newer versions can be booted from the USB without these steps.

How to Boot Raspberry Pi from USB

With your Raspberry Pi prepared, you can start booting it from your USB. Just make sure to follow this guide step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Raspberry Pi Imager;
2. Insert the SD card into your computer;
3. Launch the Raspberry Pi Imager and click on Operating System;
4. Left-click Misc utility images;

   

5. Click on Bootloader > USB Boot;
6. Go to Storage and select your microSD card;
7. Select Write;

   

8. When the process is complete, remove the SD card from your computer;
9. 9: Insert the SD card into your Raspberry Pi and turn on the device;
10. Wait for the update to complete;
11. Turn off your Raspberry Pi and remove the SD card;

    

12. Insert an SD card with Raspberry Pi OS into your Raspberry Pi;
13. Boot from the SD card to your desktop;
14. Connect your USB to your Raspberry Pi;
15. Go to the Start menu > Accessories > SD card copier;
16. Under Copy From Device, choose your microSD card, and under , choose your USB;
17. Click Start.

Note: Remember that this process will erase all data from your microSD card.

If you want to protect and back up your SD card, you can use Wondershare Recoverit

Conclusion

Booting your Raspberry Pi using a USB is more convenient than the default microSD card. With USB devices being more reliable and durable, not to mention offering much better speed and performance, you can boot your RPi device with the utmost ease.