Installing umbrelOS on amd64

umbrelOS runs on most amd64 hardware — mini PCs, desktops, laptops, or servers with a 64-bit Intel or AMD processor. See Running umbrelOS on your own hardware for what to expect.

Minimum requirements

• CPU: Dual-core 64-bit Intel or AMD (quad-core or higher recommended)
• RAM: 4 GB (8 GB+ recommended)
• Storage: 32 GB for umbrelOS, plus any internal drives you want to use for apps and data

Choose where umbrelOS will live

umbrelOS boots from one drive and uses the rest of your drives for apps and data.

• Your device has onboard storage (eMMC) — install umbrelOS on the eMMC. Follow Install on onboard storage or an internal drive.
• Everything else — run umbrelOS from a USB drive, even if your device has a single internal drive. Follow Run from a USB drive.
• You'd rather not keep a USB drive plugged in — install umbrelOS onto an internal drive. umbrelOS then shares that drive with your apps and data, and that drive can't be part of a Storage Manager pool. Follow Install on onboard storage or an internal drive.

Run from a USB drive

1. Download the latest umbrelOS image for amd64.
2. Download and install Balena Etcher on your computer.
3. Connect a USB drive with at least 32 GB of space (it will be erased). A USB SSD is ideal, and a good-quality USB stick also works.
4. Open Balena Etcher, select the umbrelOS image, select your USB drive, and flash it.
5. Plug the USB drive into your device, connect an ethernet cable to your router, and power on.
6. The device should boot from the USB drive. If it doesn't, set USB as the first boot option in your BIOS settings. Leave it that way, since umbrelOS boots from this drive every time.
7. Wait about 5 minutes for the first boot to complete, then open http://umbrel.local in your browser. If your device has internal drives, umbrelOS will ask how you want to use them.

Install on onboard storage or an internal drive

1. Download the latest umbrelOS USB installer.
2. Download and install Balena Etcher on your computer.
3. Connect a USB stick with at least 4 GB of space (it will be erased).
4. Open Balena Etcher, select the umbrelOS ISO, select your USB stick, and flash it.
5. Insert the USB stick into your device, connect a display and keyboard, an ethernet cable to your router, and power on.
6. The device should boot from the USB stick. If it doesn't, you may need to adjust the boot priority in your BIOS settings.
7. The installer will show a drive selection screen. Identify the drive by its capacity — the eMMC is usually the smallest one — enter the corresponding number, and confirm. Everything on that drive will be erased.
8. Once installation is complete, power off the device and remove the USB stick, display, and keyboard.
9. Power on the device. Wait about 5 minutes for the first boot to complete, then open http://umbrel.local in your browser. If your device has other internal drives, umbrelOS will ask how you want to use them.

See Connecting to your Umbrel if you need help accessing it.