How to Install balenaEtcher on Fedora 40 or 39

balenaEtcher stands out as one of the most popular and reliable tools for creating bootable USB drives, making it an essential utility for users across different platforms.

Key Features of balenaEtcher:

User-Friendly Interface: The tool boasts a clean and intuitive UI, making it accessible for users of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced users.
Flash from File: balenaEtcher allows users to flash from image files such as .iso, .img, and compressed formats, providing flexibility and convenience.
Drive Selection Safety: The tool automatically checks drive selection to prevent potential data loss, ensuring that users flash the correct drive every time.
Open Source: balenaEtcher is open-source and encourages community contributions and transparency, fostering continuous improvement and trust.

Now that we’ve covered the key features for new balenaEtcher users, let’s demonstrate how to install this essential USB creation software on Fedora Linux.

Install balenaEtcher via RPM Download

Update Fedora Before Installing balenaEtcher

Before installing balenaEtcher, you must update your Fedora system. This step ensures that all existing packages are up-to-date, reducing the risk of conflicts during the installation process.

Execute the following command to update your system:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

This command refreshes your system’s package database and upgrades all the packages to their latest versions.

Download the balenaEtcher RPM File

Since balenaEtcher’s APT and RPM repositories are not actively maintained, manual installation is necessary for each update. Begin by downloading the RPM package for balenaEtcher, which contains the necessary files for installation.

Navigate to balenaEtcher’s official GitHub release tag page to find the latest version. The following command will download the most recent balenaEtcher RPM file:

wget https://github.com/balena-io/etcher/releases/download/v1.18.13/balena-etcher-1.18.13x.86_64.rpm

Verifying that you are downloading the latest version is essential, as is regularly checking the BalenaEtcher release page. This step ensures you install the most up-to-date version of balenaEtcher, including the latest features and security updates.

Install balenaEtcher via DNF command

After downloading the RPM file, you can install balenaEtcher on your Fedora system. This step involves executing a command in the terminal that instructs Fedora’s package manager (DNF) to install the software.

Use the following command to initiate the installation:

sudo dnf install balena-etcher-1.18.13.x86_64.rpm

Note: Modify the version number to ‘1.18.13’ if you have downloaded a different version of the RPM file. It’s important to note that the version mentioned in the command above is merely an example and may become outdated rapidly, as balenaEtcher frequently updates to new stable releases.

Alternatively, you can employ a more generalized command that doesn’t require specifying the exact version of the RPM file. This approach is beneficial if you are sure that the downloaded file is the only balena-etcher-* RPM file in the directory.

Execute the following command:

sudo dnf install balena-etcher-*

Launching balenaEtcher

CLI Command to Launch balenaEtcher

To open balenaEtcher, enter the following command in your terminal:

balena-etcher

GUI Method to Launch balenaEtcher

For users who are more comfortable with a graphical interface, balenaEtcher can also be launched using Fedora’s GUI. This method involves navigating through the system’s applications menu.

Here are the steps to follow:

Click on “Activities” at the top left corner of your screen.
Select “Show Applications” to view all installed applications.
Scroll through the applications or use the search function to find “balenaEtcher.”
Click on the balenaEtcher icon to launch the application.

First-Time Tips with balenaEtcher

Now that you’ve installed balenaEtcher on Fedora, it’s time to explore some key tips to make the most of this powerful tool.

Understanding the balenaEtcher Interface

Familiarize yourself with the UI: BalenaEtcher’s user interface is straightforward. Spend a few minutes navigating through to understand the layout.
Locate Key Features: Identify the main functions like ‘Select image,’ ‘Select drive,’ and ‘Flash!’. Knowing where these are will streamline your workflow.

Effective Image Selection and Verification

Choosing the Right Image: Ensure you select the correct image file (like ISO or IMG) for your task. BalenaEtcher supports various formats, but the right choice is crucial.
Verify Image Integrity: Before flashing, verify the integrity of your image file by checking its checksum against the source.

Drive Selection and Safety

Careful Drive Selection: When choosing a drive to flash, double-check to avoid selecting the wrong drive. This prevents accidental data loss.
Use of Safe Writing: BalenaEtcher automatically validates the writing process to ensure the integrity of your bootable drive.

Customizing Settings for Enhanced Experience

Accessing Settings: Explore the settings menu to customize your experience. You can find options like error reporting and auto-unmount.
Setting Preferences: Adjust settings like successful validation notifications or auto-unmount post flashing based on your preferences and workflow.

Utilizing Advanced Features

Multi-Write Functionality: For advanced users, balenaEtcher offers multi-write functionality. This allows you to flash multiple drives simultaneously, saving time.
Explore Pro Features: If your tasks are more complex, consider exploring balenaEtcher Pro, which offers additional capabilities tailored for professional use.

Managing balenaEtcher

Update balenaEtcher

Given the current setup, updating balenaEtcher necessitates a manual approach. To ensure you’re using the latest version, revisit the download and installation steps periodically.

Remove balenaEtcher

The process is straightforward if you wish to remove balenaEtcher from your Fedora system. Execute the command below in your terminal:

sudo dnf remove balena-etcher

This will effectively uninstall balenaEtcher from your system.

Conclusion

That wraps up our guide on installing and getting started with balenaEtcher on Fedora Linux. We’ve covered all the essentials, from updating your system and downloading the correct files to smoothly launching and using the software. Remember, whether creating bootable USB drives or exploring advanced features, balenaEtcher’s user-friendly interface makes the process a breeze. Don’t forget to double-check your drive selections and image files to keep your data safe.

Useful Links

Here are some valuable links related to using Etcher:

Etcher GitHub Repository: Visit the official Etcher GitHub repository to access the source code, report issues, and contribute to the development.
Etcher Releases: Check out the latest releases of Etcher to download the most recent versions and view release notes.
Etcher Official Website: Explore the official Etcher website for an overview of features, the latest news, and download options.
Balena Documentation: Access detailed Balena documentation, including guides and tutorials for using Etcher and other Balena products.
Balena Forums: Join the Balena community forums to discuss issues, share solutions, and get support from other users.