How to Dual Boot Raspberry Pi: Ultimate Step-By-Step Guide

Do you wish to operate multiple operating systems on your raspberry pi?

Then, you must first understand how to dual-boot raspberry pi. Also, it would be best if you had an idea of the right software to use.

Besides, the berry boot is a powerful software that can help you install multiple operating systems on your raspberry pi.

It is also equipped with standard features to enable multi-booting. You only need to install it as you think of your preferred operating systems.

Are you ready to dual-boot or multi-boot your raspberry pi? Keep scrolling.

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How To Dual Boot On Raspberry Pi

Many advantages come with running multiple operating systems on your raspberry.

But it would be best to try dual-booting this small computer.

Here is a comprehensive guide on dual boot on raspberry pi using berry boot

Before anything, these items must be ready: power supply, raspberry pi with an SD card, HDMI cable or Wi-Fi Dongle, USB keyboard, and USB mouse.

Step 1: Downloading and Copying the Berrybooth to an SD Card

Check out any online depository and download the berry boot. Remember to download the right version depending on your Raspberry Pi type. Then, you can copy it to the SD card directly from the zip file.

When copying the berry boot, don’t change the location. You can now carefully click remove as you get the SD card out.

After some minutes, you can insert it as you power your pi. It’s time to connect your mouse and keyboard, ready to select your preferred operating systems.

Step 2: Configuring the Berryboot to Enable Dual Booting

After inserting the SD card, observe the monitor, and you will see a configuration screen. Also, there will be a video on the screen and several options concerning network connection.

If you want to configure the video, click Yes. This disables over-scan, but you can enable over-scan by clicking No.  

For network configuration, confirm the network you are using first. If it’s Ethernet, click the wired option; if it’s Wi-Fi, enter the Wi-Fi name and password. After configuration, choose a keyboard layout and time zone.

Confirm if the berry boot is perfectly connected, then press OK.

Step 3: Installing Raspberry Pi Dual Boot Operating Systems

SD card

SD card

After pressing OK, there comes a window to select a location for your preferred operating system. Here, you have an SD card, and on the screen, it’s labeled mmcblko. It is advisable to format an SD card through exFAT. 

This is a way of backing up your SD card. After this, the berry boot will guide you to another window with a list of operating systems.

At this point, select one OS and click OK. You can download the OS directly to the SD card.

After this process, the system will reboot automatically.

Wait until the system reboots, then on the boot menu, click edit. You can now install other operating systems depending on the storage you have.

How Do You Install More Operating Systems?

  • Click Add OS, and choose your preferred one.
  • Select any OS in their respective boxes, and then click OK. 
  • After clicking any OS, click Exit to download.

Step 4: Dual Boot Your Raspberry Pi

You now have operating systems in the berry boot in your raspberry pi. The next thing is to dual-boot the pi with the OSes.

Your pi will always present you with a boot screen to choose another OS to boot.

You can switch through this berry boot from one OS to another, but you must connect your pi with a manual keyboard and mouse.

How to Install Berryboot On Raspberry Pi

After downloading, knowing how to install berry boot on the raspberry pi is vital.

This is important because it downloads in the form of a zip file. So you must extract your berry boot before installing it.

Format the SD card, then directly channel the berry boot file to the formatted SD card.

You now have berry boot in your raspberry pi to use when downloading multiple operating systems.

Raspberry Pi project

Raspberry Pi project

How to Multiboot Raspberry Pi

How to multiboot raspberry pi is a process any raspberry owner needs to know. It is possible to install and boot multiple operating systems in your raspberry using berry boot.

It would help if you had a raspberry pi, power source, sd card adapter, sd card, mouse, and keyboard.

Step 1: Download Berryboot

Go to the internet, type berryboot.com, and download a berry boot version that suits your raspberry pi. You may have raspberry pi 2, pi 3, or pi 4.

The berry boot will be available in the form of a zip file. So, download the zip file.

Step 2: Format the SD Card and Copy The Berryboot

Insert your SD card into your raspberry pi and format it through exFAT. This will erase everything in the storage card.

Then extract the content on the zip file and copy it to your raspberry pi SD card.

For the SD card to boot, ensure the data is copied to the card’s root and not to the directory.

Step 2: Install Berryboot for Raspberry Pi Multiboot

View your raspberry display, and you will see a configuration screen. There are green borders at the top of the screen; you must select YES to disable over-scan, as selecting NO to enable over-scan.

After this, you can choose your preferred network. You can use Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Then, set your time zone.

Step 3: Install Multiboot Raspberry Operating Systems

Your SD card will give options to enable you to select the right destination for your operating systems.

After making a choice, format the SD card. Once formatted, a berry boot menu editor will appear with a list of several operating systems

You can first add one OS and reboot the system. Press OK to install as it downloads. You can now add multiple operating systems. 

How Do You Install Other Operating Systems?

  • Click Add OS, and it will display a list 
  • Click OK
  • Pick your default OS and boot when your raspberry in on
  • Click EXIT to download and install the other OSes

Final Verdict

Berryboot is an outstanding software best for raspberry users. It helps you install more than one operating system.

Again, it can allow you to multiboot your raspberry pi when downloading several operating systems.

How to dual boot raspberry pi is a simple process as long as you have all the requirements.

It’s pretty simple as you only need to download the berry boot, copy and install it to your SD card and download your preferred operating systems. 

Remember to capture every detail on the multiboot raspberry pi as discussed above.