How to Install balenaEtcher on Linux Mint 21 or 20

This guide will demonstrate the process of installing balenaEtcher on Linux Mint 21 or 20. It will focus on obtaining the latest .deb package via the command-line terminal and ensuring its successful installation on your desktop.

BalenaEtcher has become a popular tool for creating bootable USB drives, offering a straightforward and efficient approach. Its appeal lies in its simplicity, making it a go-to choice for both beginners and seasoned users. The software stands out for its compatibility with various image files and operating systems.

Key Features of balenaEtcher:

  • Easy-to-Use Interface: User-friendly design that simplifies the process of creating bootable USB drives.
  • Wide Compatibility: Supports a range of image formats, including ISO, IMG, and BIN, and is compatible with multiple operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Validation Function: Incorporates an automatic verification process to check the integrity of the written image, ensuring a reliable boot process and reducing the risk of corrupted drives.
  • Open Source: The open-source nature of balenaEtcher encourages transparency and community-driven improvements, fostering an environment of continuous enhancement.
  • Advanced Drive Selection: Avoids drive selection mistakes with a clear interface, ensuring the correct target drive is selected for writing the image.
  • Seamless Writing and Flashing: Efficiently writes images to SD cards and USB drives with minimal user input, streamlining the bootable drive creation process.
  • Continuous Version Updates: Regularly updated to support the latest operating systems and hardware, ensuring compatibility and performance improvements.

BalenaEtcher not only simplifies the process of creating bootable USBs but also ensures a high success rate, minimizing common errors associated with this task. It’s a tool designed to make the complex task of image writing accessible to everyone.

Now, let’s dive into the technical steps to install balenaEtcher on Linux Mint, covering everything from obtaining the latest .deb package via the command-line terminal to ensuring its successful installation on your desktop.

Update Linux Mint Before balenaEtcher Installation

Ensuring System Updates

To prepare for the balenaEtcher installation, start by updating your Linux Mint system. This step is crucial to prevent potential conflicts by ensuring your system has the latest updates and packages. Open your terminal and execute the command below:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This command performs two actions sequentially. sudo apt update refreshes your system’s package list, sourcing the latest versions from configured repositories. Following this, sudo apt upgrade installs the newest versions of the packages currently on your system.

Download the balenaEtcher .deb File on Linux Mint

Acquiring the balenaEtcher Debian Package

To install balenaEtcher on Linux Mint, your initial step involves downloading the Debian package (.deb file). Since balenaEtcher’s APT and RPM repositories are not actively maintained due to cost implications, you need to manually download and update this software.

Visit the official balenaEtcher release page to access the latest .deb file. This approach requires the use of the wget command, a utility for non-interactive downloading of files from the web. Utilize the command format below:

wget https://github.com/balena-io/etcher/releases/download/vx.x.x/balena-etcher_x.x.x_amd64.deb

In this command, replace “x.x.x” with the specific version number of the balenaEtcher release you wish to download. It is important to regularly check the release page, as balenaEtcher often receives updates.

Once you substitute the placeholders with the actual version number, your command should be updated accordingly.

For instance only, for version 1.19.3, your command would be:

wget https://github.com/balena-io/etcher/releases/download/v1.19.3/balena-etcher_1.19.3_amd64.deb

Remember, this command is an example. Always replace the version number with the latest one available on the balenaEtcher releases page.

Install balenaEtcher on Linux Mint via DPKG Command

Executing the Installation

To install balenaEtcher on Linux Mint, use the DPKG (Debian Package) command. This is a standard tool in Debian-based systems like Linux Mint for managing software packages. After downloading the .deb file, open your terminal and execute one of the following commands:

If you’re in the directory containing the downloaded file:

sudo dpkg -i balena*

This command tells the system to install (-i) the balenaEtcher package. The asterisk (*) acts as a wildcard, matching any file starting with ‘balena’.

Alternatively, specify the full path of the downloaded .deb file:

sudo dpkg -i balena-etcher_1.19.13_amd64.deb

Ensure to replace “1.19.3” with the version number of the balenaEtcher package you have downloaded from the official release page.

Navigating Installation Errors

It’s common to encounter errors related to missing dependencies during the installation. These errors indicate that balenaEtcher requires certain packages to function properly that are not currently installed on your system.

Screenshot showing dependency issues when installing balenaEtcher on Linux Mint
Troubleshooting Dependency Issues During balenaEtcher Install

Resolving Installation Dependencies

To fix these dependency issues, use the APT package manager with the --fix-broken install option. This command locates and installs the missing dependencies automatically:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

After running this command, re-execute the dpkg installation command. This should resolve any previous dependency issues and complete the balenaEtcher installation on your Linux Mint system successfully by re-running the DPKG installation command.

Running fix-broken-install command to resolve balenaEtcher installation issues on Linux Mint
Executing fix-broken-install Command for balenaEtcher

Launch balenaEtcher on Linux Mint

Starting balenaEtcher from the Desktop Environment

After installing balenaEtcher, you can easily access it through your Linux Mint desktop environment. The method to launch balenaEtcher varies slightly depending on your desktop environment.

For Cinnamon, XFCE, KDE, and Similar Environments:

  1. Navigate to your system’s taskbar.
  2. Click on the ‘Accessories’ section.
  3. Select ‘balenaEtcher’ from the list of applications.

This method is common in desktop environments like Cinnamon, XFCE, and KDE, where applications are categorized and easily accessible from the taskbar menu.

For GNOME Desktop Environment:

In GNOME, which is known for its distinct and streamlined interface, the process of launching applications differs:

  1. Open the ‘Activities’ overview by clicking on ‘Activities’ or pressing the ‘Super’ key (often labeled as the Windows key).
  2. Type ‘balenaEtcher’ in the search bar.
  3. Click on the balenaEtcher icon to launch the application.

The GNOME desktop environment emphasizes a search-oriented approach to accessing applications, making it efficient to find and launch software like balenaEtcher.

Launching balenaEtcher via Command Line Interface (CLI)

Alternatively, you can start balenaEtcher directly from the command line. This method is particularly useful for users who prefer working within the terminal or for troubleshooting purposes.

To launch balenaEtcher’s graphical user interface via CLI, enter the following command:

balenaetcher
balenaEtcher application icon displayed in the Linux Mint taskbar
balenaEtcher Successfully Installed and Visible in Taskbar

First-Time Tips for balenaEtcher on Linux Mint

Now that you have successfully installed balenaEtcher on Linux Mint, here are some first-time tips on getting started with the software:

General Tips for New Users

  • Check Image Compatibility: Ensure that the image file you intend to use (ISO, IMG, or BIN) is compatible with balenaEtcher. This software supports a wide range of image formats, making it versatile for various tasks.
  • Use High-Quality USB Drives: To avoid errors during the writing process, opt for reliable USB drives. Poor quality drives can lead to failed operations or corrupted data.
  • Ensure Sufficient Storage Space: Verify that your USB drive has enough storage capacity for the image file. Running out of space during the writing process can cause issues.
  • Disconnect Unnecessary Drives: Before starting the flashing process, disconnect any external drives not being used. This prevents accidental overwriting of important data.

Customization and Usage

  • Adjust Settings: Explore balenaEtcher’s settings to customize your experience. You can enable or disable error reporting, auto-unmount on success, and other options to suit your preferences.
  • Verifying the Write: Always use the ‘Validate write on success’ option. This ensures the integrity of the written image, reducing the chances of boot errors.
  • Using Multiple Drives: balenaEtcher allows you to flash multiple drives simultaneously. This is particularly useful when you need to create several bootable drives for the same image file.

Other Useful Tips

  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts for efficiency. For example, Ctrl + Shift + I opens the developer tools, which can be handy for advanced users.
  • Image Writing Speed: Note that the speed of writing the image to the USB drive depends on the USB drive’s quality and the size of the image file. Patience is key, especially with large files.
  • Safe Ejection: After the flashing process is complete, safely eject the USB drive from your Linux Mint system. This ensures that all writing processes are properly finalized, preventing data corruption.
balenaEtcher application open and operational on Linux Mint
balenaEtcher Open and User-Ready on Linux Mint

Managing balenaEtcher on Linux Mint

Uninstalling balenaEtcher

Removing balenaEtcher from your Linux Mint system is a straightforward process. To uninstall the application, open your terminal and execute the following command:

sudo apt remove balena-etcher

This command initiates the removal of balenaEtcher using the APT package manager. The sudo prefix grants administrative privileges, necessary for making system-level changes like software removal. The apt remove command specifically targets the balena-etcher package for uninstallation, effectively removing it from your system.

Wrapping Up

In this guide, we’ve walked through the essentials of installing, managing, and utilizing balenaEtcher on Linux Mint. From updating your system, downloading and installing the software, to the finer points of launching and using it effectively, we’ve covered the crucial steps to get you started. As you embark on your journey with balenaEtcher, remember to always check for compatible image files and use high-quality USB drives for the best experience. We hope this guide simplifies your task of creating bootable drives and enhances your overall experience with Linux Mint. Happy flashing!

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