From Zero to Running Arch Linux on Your Raspberry Pi 4 in Minutes!

Learn how to install the lightweight and versatile Arch Linux operating system on your Raspberry Pi 4 with this step-by-step guide. …

Learn how to install the lightweight and versatile Arch Linux operating system on your Raspberry Pi 4 with this step-by-step guide.

Installing Arch Linux on Raspberry Pi 4

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of installing the powerful and versatile Arch Linux distribution on your Raspberry Pi 4. This operating system is known for its speed, customizability, and minimalist approach, making it an ideal choice for embedded systems like the Raspberry Pi.

Prerequisites:

Before you begin, make sure you have the following items:

• A Raspberry Pi 4 Model B with a microSD card (minimum 8GB)
• An SD card reader and adapter if your computer does not have an SD card slot
• A high-quality power supply for the Raspberry Pi 4 (at least 2.5A)
• An internet connection to download the necessary files
• A keyboard and monitor or SSH access for configuration

Step 1: Prepare the microSD Card

Insert the SD card into your computer’s SD card reader and use a tool like Etcher to flash the latest Arch Linux ARM image onto it. You can download the image from the official website: https://archlinuxarm.org/download

Step 2: Boot the Raspberry Pi 4

Insert the microSD card into your Raspberry Pi, connect a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and power supply. Plug in the ethernet cable if you plan on using wired internet connection, or make sure your WiFi adapter is ready for wireless setup.

Step 3: Log Into Arch Linux

Once the system boots up, log in using the default username “root” and no password. The system will prompt you to create a new root password. Type passwd and follow the on-screen instructions to set a secure password for your Raspberry Pi.

Step 4: Update the System

Now that you have logged in, it’s time to update the system. Run the following commands one by one:

pacman -Syu
pacman -Syyuu
reboot

This will synchronize the package database and upgrade all packages on your Raspberry Pi 4. After the reboot, log in again with the new root password you set earlier.

Step 5: Configure Networking (Optional)

If you want to connect your Raspberry Pi 4 to a wireless network, run iwctl and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WiFi. Otherwise, skip this step if you plan on using a wired connection.

Step 6: Configure System Timezone

Run the following command to set the system timezone:

ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/REGION/CITY /etc/localtime

Replace REGION and CITY with your timezone, e.g., America/New_York. You can find a list of available timezones here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Time#Time_zone_database

Step 7: Locale Configuration

Set the system locale by running:

echo "LANG=en_US.UTF-8" > /etc/locale.conf

If you prefer a different language, replace en_US.UTF-8 with your preferred locale from this list: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Locale

Step 8: Create a New User

It’s not recommended to use the root account for daily tasks on Arch Linux. Run the following command to create a new user and add them to the sudoers group:

useradd -m -g users -G wheel -s /bin/bash USERNAME
passwd USERNAME

Replace USERNAME with your desired username, then follow the on-screen instructions to set a password. Finally, run:

EDITOR=nano visudo

Uncomment the line %wheel ALL=(ALL) ALL and save the file. This will allow members of the wheel group (of which your new user is now a part) to use sudo for administrative tasks.

Step 9: Install the Desktop Environment (Optional)

If you want to run a graphical desktop environment on your Raspberry Pi 4, install one using pacman. For example, to install Xfce:

pacman -S xorg-server xf86-video-fbdev xfce4
systemctl enable xdm
reboot

Once the system reboots, you will see the Xfce desktop environment waiting for your login.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Arch Linux on your Raspberry Pi 4. This versatile operating system provides a powerful and lightweight foundation for any embedded project or home server. With its minimalist approach, you can customize your system exactly the way you want it, giving you full control over the software and hardware on your Raspberry Pi.