BalenaEtcher is an open-source cross-platform tool used to flash OS images such as .img and .iso files onto USB drives and SD cards in a safe and easy way. It comes with a user-friendly interface that allows you to seamlessly specify the OS image you want to burn.
Basically, After downloading an .iso image for any operating system, you need to first create an installation media by flashing the image on an SD card or a bootable flash drive.
Here at LinuxAPT, we regularly help our Customers to perform related Linux .iso queries as part of our Server Management Services.
In this context, we shall look into how you can install the BalenaEtcher tool on Debian 11 Bullseye.
1. Add balenaEtcher repo to the system
balenaEtcher is not available on the default Debian 11 repositories. You need to add the official repository to the Debian package with the below command:
$ curl -1sLf 'https://dl.cloudsmith.io/public/balena/etcher/setup.deb.sh' | sudo -E bash2. Perform System Update
Next, update packages to let the system know of the new additional repo added with the command:
$ sudo apt update3. Install balenaEtcher on the system
Now, install Etcher on Debian 11 with the below command:
$ sudo apt-get install balena-etcher-electronAfter that, confirm the installation was successful, use the following apt-cache policy command:
$ sudo apt-cache policy balena-etcher-electronNow that balenaEtcher is successfully installed on your system, launch it from the activities menu. Click on the icon to open Etcher.
Now we are ready to flash OS images using etcher on Debian 11.
After launching etcher, you will be taken to the dashboard.
Click on the flash from file button . After choosing your installation image, click on 'Select Target'.
A new window will then pop up, choose the USB you wish to use as the target to burn the image.
Finally, select the "Flash" button to finish and start creating a bootable USB installation image disk.
To remove balenaEtcher is a relatively straightforward process.
1. First, in your terminal, use the following command:
$ sudo apt remove balena-etcher-electron --purgeType Y, then press the ENTER KEY to proceed with the removal.
This will thoroughly remove the application and any dependencies.
2. Next, if you no longer want the repository on your Debian system, use the following command:
$ sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/balena-etcher.list3. Now finish up by using the last command to refresh your repository:
$ sudo rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
$ sudo apt updateThis article covers how you install and create a bootable disk drive using balenaEtcher on Debian 11 bullseye. In fact, balenaEtcher is a free and open-source flashing utility tool famous for writing image files such as .iso and .img files and zipped folders onto storage media to create live SD cards and USB flash drives.
How to Keep balenaEtcher Updated ?
To update balenaEtcher, use the apt-update command just as you would with any APT package or system update check:
$ sudo apt updateIf an available update is listed, use the apt-upgrade command to proceed:
$ sudo apt upgrade
