Learn how to install Chromium OS on your Raspberry Pi 4 and turn it into a powerful, yet energy efficient device.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of installing Chromium OS on a Raspberry Pi 4 and using it as an energy-efficient alternative for everyday computing tasks. …


Updated October 24, 2023

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In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of installing Chromium OS on a Raspberry Pi 4 and using it as an energy-efficient alternative for everyday computing tasks.

Introduction

Chromium OS is a lightweight operating system that runs entirely in the browser, designed with simplicity and security in mind. It’s an ideal choice for anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint or save energy by using a device with low power consumption. Raspberry Pi 4 is one of the most powerful single-board computers available today, making it a perfect fit for running Chromium OS. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of installing Chromium OS on your Raspberry Pi 4 and get it up and running in no time!

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

  • A Raspberry Pi 4 Model B or newer with a power supply and SD card (at least 8GB is recommended)
  • An Ethernet cable or WiFi dongle
  • USB keyboard and mouse (if using a monitor) or SSH access to configure the device remotely
  • A Chromium OS image file for Raspberry Pi 4 (available from https://chromium.woolyss.com/download/#raspberry-pi)

Preparing the SD Card

  1. Download and extract the Chromium OS image file for Raspberry Pi 4 from the link provided above. You’ll get a .zip file containing a .img file.
  2. Insert the SD card into your computer and use an SD card writing tool like balenaEtcher (https://www.balena.io/etcher/) to flash the Chromium OS image onto the SD card. Make sure to select the correct device and image file before starting the process.
  3. Once the image has been written, eject the SD card from your computer and insert it into your Raspberry Pi 4.

Setting up the Device

  1. Connect your Raspberry Pi 4 to a display using an HDMI cable (if you’re using a monitor) or SSH into the device remotely (if you prefer headless setup).
  2. Power on the device and wait for the initial setup process to complete. Chromium OS will automatically detect your network connection and prompt you to set up your WiFi if needed.
  3. When the setup is done, you’ll be presented with the Chromium desktop environment. You can now start using Chromium OS on your Raspberry Pi 4!

Customizing Chromium OS

Chromium OS comes with a minimal set of apps pre-installed, but you can customize it to fit your needs by installing additional apps and extensions. Here are some tips for getting started:

  • To install apps, visit the Chrome Web Store (https://chrome.google.com/webstore) and search for your desired app. Many popular apps are available as Chrome extensions, which can be installed directly from the store.
  • You can also use the shell command to run terminal commands on Chromium OS. For example, to install the vim text editor, type shell in the search bar and then run sudo apt update && sudo apt install vim.
  • To change settings, visit chrome://settings in your browser and configure your preferences. You can also access advanced settings by clicking the three dots in the top right corner of the screen and selecting “Settings”.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Chromium OS on your Raspberry Pi 4. This powerful, energy-efficient device is now ready to run all your everyday tasks, from web browsing to productivity apps, without draining your battery or producing excess heat. Enjoy the faster boot times and snappy performance that Chromium OS has to offer!