Raspberry Pi Imager

Raspberry Pi Imager prepares boot media for Raspberry Pi computers. Choose a device and operating system, select a microSD card or other supported storage, optionally configure first-boot settings, and write a bootable image. It is useful for first-time setup, headless systems and reimaging existing Raspberry Pi storage.

Features

• Select Raspberry Pi OS and other operating systems from the image catalogue.
• Write a local custom image when it is appropriate for the target device.
• Configure supported images with a hostname, user credentials, Wi-Fi and locale.
• Set up SSH and optional Raspberry Pi Connect before the first boot.
• Verify written images and reuse settings when preparing another device.
• Use advanced Compute Module provisioning and secure-boot workflows where supported.

Installation and first use

Install the Mac application with brew install --cask raspberry-pi-imager, or download the official DMG and move Raspberry Pi Imager.app to Applications. Connect a suitable card reader and insert the target storage. Select the Raspberry Pi model, OS and storage device, then review available customisation settings. Features depend on the selected image; an arbitrary custom image does not necessarily support the same first-boot settings as Raspberry Pi OS.

Writing an image overwrites all data on the selected storage device, including its existing partitions. Back up anything you need and carefully verify the device name and capacity before accepting the erase-and-write confirmation. Grant an administrator prompt for storage access only after checking the target. Wait for writing and verification to finish, then safely remove the media and insert it into the Raspberry Pi. Reimaging replaces the existing system rather than updating it in place.

Requirements and platform support

The recorded Mac cask requires macOS 13 Ventura or later and has no explicit architecture restriction, additional formula dependency or cask conflict. Upstream provides macOS, Windows and Linux downloads, with Raspberry Pi OS installation also documented. An SD card reader or suitable connection to the chosen boot medium is needed; the target device and operating system determine which storage types and capacities are appropriate.

Internet access is needed to fetch catalogue images and use online services; a previously downloaded local image can be selected instead. Allow enough host disk space for downloads and sufficient target capacity for the selected OS. No universal RAM or installed-space minimum was established. The official 2.0.11.1 Mac DMG is 51,904,566 bytes; that is a download size, not the required boot-media capacity or installed space.

Accounts, price and license

Imager is a free download and ordinary image writing does not require a Raspberry Pi account. The optional Raspberry Pi Connect setup requires signing in to a Raspberry Pi ID and creating a temporary authentication key. Boot the configured device and connect it to the internet before that key expires. Connect organisation services and third-party operating systems have their own terms and account requirements.

The main application code is licensed under Apache License 2.0 by Raspberry Pi Ltd; bundled third-party components have their own open-source licenses. Anonymous usage statistics are enabled by default according to the tagged README. You can disable them in App Options using the telemetry toggle.

The official README screenshot depicts version 2.0.7 with Linux-style window controls. It illustrates device selection and is not a fresh screenshot of the current Mac release.

Sources: Official downloads, Setup and erase confirmation, Tagged README and telemetry, License terms.