How to Install balenaEtcher on Linux Mint 21 or 20

balenaEtcher is a user-friendly and efficient tool widely used for creating bootable USB drives and SD cards and works well on Linux Mint-based distributions. Its popularity stems from its ease of use, reliability, and robust features that simplify creating bootable media. Compared to other tools like Ventoy and Rufus, balenaEtcher offers a clean and intuitive interface, cross-platform support, and constant updates thanks to its open-source nature.

Summary of balenaEtcher features include the following:

• Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux: “balenaEtcher” supports multiple platforms, making it accessible to a broader range of users.
• User-friendly interface with a simple drag-and-drop interface: “balenaEtcher’s” interface is easy to use, with a simple drag-and-drop system for creating bootable media.
• Supports a wide range of file systems, including ISO, IMG, and DMG: balenaEtcher supports several file systems, making it easy to use with different operating systems.
• Open-source and constantly updated for the latest features and bug fixes: balenaEtcher is open-source, ensuring that it is continually being improved and updated for the best possible user experience.
• Verifies the data written to the USB drive or SD card for reliability: balenaEtcher verifies the data written to the media to ensure that the process is completed correctly.
• Ability to flash multiple drives simultaneously for increased efficiency: balenaEtcher allows users to flash various drives simultaneously, increasing efficiency and reducing the time spent creating bootable media.

This guide will walk you through the process of installing balenaEtcher on either Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20. You will download the official bash script and use the APT package manager to install your system’s latest stable version of balenaEtcher. Additionally, we will show you how to update and remove the software through the command line terminal if needed.

Step 1: Update Linux Mint

Before beginning the tutorial, it is recommended to make sure your system has the latest updates and packages installed.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Dependencies

To ensure a successful installation of balenaEtcher, the following packages must be present on your system.

sudo apt install curl apt-transport-https

Step 3: Import the balenaEtcher Repository

The initial step is to import the official balenaEtcher repository. To streamline the installation process, a bash script is provided for this purpose. Simply open your terminal and run the following command to download the script.

curl -1sLf 'https://dl.cloudsmith.io/public/balena/etcher/setup.deb.sh' | sudo -E bash

By executing the command, you are engaging the bash command to initiate the script and import the official balenaEtcher repository. If the package “apt-transport-https” is missing, the command will automatically attempt to install it. Upon successful completion, you will be presented with instructions at the end of the terminal output.

Example:

Step 4: Install balenaEtcher

Before beginning the installation process of balenaEtcher, it is recommended to run an update on the APT package manager to ensure that it is aware of the newly added repository.

sudo apt update

Next, use the following command in the terminal to initiate the installation process of balenaEtcher on your system.

sudo apt install balena-etcher

It’s crucial to note that the “balena-etcher-electron” package should not be installed, as it’s outdated and might not work optimally. The package is likely to be deprecated soon, so it’s advisable to either execute the command provided or uninstall the package and install “balena-etcher.”

Step 5: Launch balenaEtcher

With the successful installation of balenaEtcher, you can now launch the application on your desktop. To do so, follow the path in your system’s menu or search for “balenaEtcher” in your application search bar and click on the icon to open the program.

Taskbar > Accessories > balenaEtcher.

Example:

With balenaEtcher installed on your Linux Mint system, you are now equipped with a powerful and user-friendly tool for creating bootable USB drives. You can quickly flash operating system images to your USB drive or SD card, allowing you to create a backup, install a new operating system, or troubleshoot problems on your computer. It’s essential to select the right image file, select the target drive, and click the Flash button to start the process.

To get the most out of balenaEtcher, it’s a good idea to format your drive to a supported file system and ensure it has enough storage capacity to accommodate the image file. Remember to double-check the target drive selection, as writing to the wrong drive could result in data loss. With these tips in mind, you are ready to use balenaEtcher and easily create bootable media.

Example:

Additional Commands & Tips

Update balenaEtcher

To keep your balenaEtcher installation up-to-date, you can use the same APT package manager you used to install it in the first place. Simply run the command “sudo apt update” then “sudo apt upgrade” in your terminal, and it will check for any available updates for balenaEtcher and other installed packages on your system. Using the APT package manager, you can ensure that your software stays up-to-date with the latest features and bug fixes, providing you with a smooth and reliable experience when creating bootable USB drives.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Remove (Uninstall) balenaEtcher

To remove balenaEtcher, the process is relatively simple. To begin, use the following command in your terminal.

sudo apt remove balena-etcher --purge

This will completely uninstall balenaEtcher and any associated components. If you also want to remove the repository from your system, execute the following command.

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/balena-etcher.list

Conclusion

BalenaEtcher is a powerful tool that makes it easy to create bootable USB drives and SD cards. Installing balenaEtcher on Linux Mint 21 or 20 is a straightforward process, but it’s important to follow the steps carefully to avoid any mistakes. With this guide, you should have no trouble installing balenaEtcher on your system and using it to create bootable media.

Frequently Asked Questions