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Installing the OS on an NVMe SSD

If you are using an NVMe SSD and have an adapter to connect the NVMe SSD to your computer for system installation, you can use the following tutorial for a quick installation.

Required Components

  • A Personal Computer

  • A NVMe SSD

  • A NVMe to USB Adapter

  • Micro SD Card and Reader

1. Install Raspberry Pi Imager

  1. Visit the official Raspberry Pi Imager download page: Raspberry Pi Imager. Download the correct installer for your operating system.

    ../../_images/imager_download2.png

  2. Follow the installation prompts (language, install path, confirmation). After installation, launch Raspberry Pi Imager from your desktop or applications menu.

    ../../_images/imager_install2.png

2. Update the Bootloader

First, update the Raspberry Pi 5 bootloader so it tries to boot from NVMe first, then USB, and finally the SD card.

Note

It is recommended to use a spare Micro SD card for this step.

  • Method 1 (Recommended): Write the bootloader to a Micro SD card, insert it into the Raspberry Pi, and boot once to apply the setting.

  • Method 2: Write the bootloader directly to the NVMe SSD. Afterward, connect the NVMe to a computer to install the OS, then put it back into the Raspberry Pi.

  1. Insert the spare Micro SD card or NVMe SSD into your computer using a card reader or adapter.

  2. When Raspberry Pi Imager opens, you will see the Device page. Select your Raspberry Pi 5 model from the list.

    ../../_images/imager_device2.png

  3. Click OS.

    • Scroll down and select Misc utility images.

      ../../_images/nvme_misc2.png

    • Select Bootloader (Pi 5 family).

      ../../_images/nvme_bootloader2.png

    • Choose NVMe/USB Boot to set the boot order, then click NEXT.

      ../../_images/nvme_boot2.png

  4. In Storage, select the correct Micro SD card or NVMe SSD, then click NEXT.

    Note

    Make sure the correct device is selected. Disconnect other storage devices if needed.

    ../../_images/imager_storage2.png

  5. Review the settings and click WRITE to start.

    ../../_images/nvme_write2.png

  6. Confirm the warning and allow Raspberry Pi Imager to erase and write the bootloader.

    ../../_images/imager_erase2.png

  7. Wait until Write complete! appears, then safely remove the storage device.

    ../../_images/nvme_finish2.png

  8. Insert the Micro SD card into the Raspberry Pi and power it on once to apply the bootloader update.

    ../../_images/os_sd_to_pi2.jpg

  9. Wait at least 10 seconds after the Raspberry Pi finishes booting, then power it off and remove the Micro SD card or NVMe SSD.

The Raspberry Pi 5 is now ready to boot from NVMe.

3. Install OS to NVMe SSD

Now you can install the operating system on your NVMe SSD.

  1. Insert the NVMe SSD into your computer using an adapter.

  1. When Raspberry Pi Imager opens, you will see the Device page. Select your Raspberry Pi 5 model from the list.

    ../../_images/imager_device2.png

  2. Go to the OS section and choose the recommended Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) option.

    ../../_images/imager_os2.png

  3. In the Storage section, select your NVMe SSD.

    ../../_images/nvme_storage2.png

  1. Click Next to continue to the customization step.

    Note

    • If you will connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse directly to your Raspberry Pi, you may click SKIP CUSTOMISATION.

    • If you plan to set up the Raspberry Pi headless (Wi-Fi remote access), you must complete the customization settings.

    ../../_images/imager_custom_skip2.png

  2. Set Hostname

    • Give your Raspberry Pi a unique hostname.

    • You can connect to it later using hostname.local.

    ../../_images/imager_custom_hostname2.png

  3. Set Localisation

    • Choose your capital city.

    • Imager will auto-complete the time zone and keyboard layout based on your selection, though you can adjust them if needed. Select Next.

    ../../_images/imager_custom_local2.png

  4. Set Username & Password

    Create a user account for your Raspberry Pi.

    ../../_images/imager_custom_user2.png

  5. Configure Wi-Fi

    • Enter your Wi-Fi SSID (network name) and password.

    • Your Raspberry Pi will automatically connect on first boot.

    ../../_images/imager_custom_wifi2.png

  6. Enable SSH (Optional but Recommended)

    • Enabling SSH allows you to remotely log in from your computer.

    • You may log in using your username/password or configure SSH keys.

    ../../_images/imager_custom_ssh2.png

  7. Enable Raspberry Pi Connect (Optional)

    Raspberry Pi Connect allows you to access your Raspberry Pi desktop from a web browser.

    • Turn on Raspberry Pi Connect, then click OPEN RASPBERRY PI CONNECT.

      ../../_images/imager_custom_connect2.png

    • The Raspberry Pi Connect website will open in your default browser. Log in to your Raspberry Pi ID account, or sign up if you don’t have one yet.

      ../../_images/imager_custom_open2.png

    • On the New auth key page, create your one-time auth key.

      • If your Raspberry Pi ID account isn’t part of any organisation, select Create auth key and launch Raspberry Pi Imager.

      • If you belong to one or more organisations, choose one, then create the key and launch Imager.

      • Make sure to power on your Raspberry Pi and connect it to the internet before the key expires.

      ../../_images/imager_custom_authkey2.png

    • Your browser may ask to open Raspberry Pi Imager — allow it.

      • Imager will open on the Raspberry Pi Connect tab, showing the authentication token.

      • If the token doesn’t transfer automatically, open the Having trouble? section on the Raspberry Pi Connect page, copy the token, and paste it into Imager manually.

      ../../_images/imager_custom_connect_token2.png

  8. Review all settings and click WRITE.

    ../../_images/imager_writing2.png

  9. If the card already contains data, Raspberry Pi Imager will show a warning that all data on the device will be erased. Double-check that you selected the correct drive, then click I UNDERSTAND, ERASE AND WRITE to continue.

    ../../_images/imager_erase2.png

  10. Wait for the writing and verification to finish. When it is done, Raspberry Pi Imager will show Write complete! and a summary of your choices. The storage device will be ejected automatically so you can remove it safely.

    ../../_images/imager_finish2.png