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Wikipedia

Wikipedia2026-06-15T14:26:57+00:00

The Kiwix Hotspot brings you Wikipedia, your personal gateway to the world’s largest encyclopaedia, putting millions of articles and language resources in your hands, no matter where you are or what challenges you face.

Designed for knowledge preservers, freedom seekers, and lifelong learners, this package empowers you to access, share, and safeguard information when it matters most.

With Kiwix Hotspot, you’re not just accessing Wikipedia, you’re investing in lifelong learning, resilience, and the freedom to know.

Unlocking the world’s knowledge, Offline, anytime.

What you need to know

Uninterrupted access to knowledge

The complete English Wikipedia (6.7 million articles, including images) and Wiktionary (7.9 million entries in 4,200 languages) are always available, even without internet connectivity.

Build your own offline information hub ideal for archiving, education, or sharing with your community. Take control of your learning, research, and preservation efforts without relying on external networks or authorities.

Circumvent restrictions and ensure access to unbiased, global information. Whether you’re facing internet shutdowns, censorship, or living in a remote area, you can stay informed and help others do the same.

Equip your home, classroom, or local network with a comprehensive, up-to-date library. Support education, curiosity, and resilience for everyone; children, students, and adults alike.

Who benefits from the Kiwix Wikipedia Hotspot?

This Hotspot is very popular for educational purposes or for those going without internet for prolonged periods of time.

Digital archivists and knowledge preservers
For those who value safeguarding information for the future, this package offers a robust offline library—perfect for building a personal or professional knowledge repository.

Censorship affected and information sharers
Ideal for individuals living in restrictive environments or under threat of internet censorship. This solution enables private, secure access to unbiased information and makes it easy to discreetly share resources with trusted networks.

Remote learners and off-grid families
A reliable educational resource for those in rural or remote areas with limited or unreliable internet. It ensures that learning, problem-solving, and curiosity never have to pause due to connectivity issues.

But also:

  • Schools and libraries in areas with limited or no internet access

  • Humanitarian and emergency response teams

  • Remote communities and travellers

  • Time-capsules

What’s in the package

  • Image size: 200GB

Kiwix Hotspot

  • Complete Kiwix Hotspot, pre-installed with Wikipedia content

  • Charger (Choice of EU/US/UK at checkout)

  • Setup guide

  • Requires 5 days to ship

OS only

  • Raspberry Pi image containing our Kiwix Hotspot system pre-installed with Wikipedia content

  • Direct download link sent upon purchase

Setup guide

OS Only setup guide2026-06-24T13:29:53+00:00

Here is the quick setup guide. For more detailed information and potential troubleshooting, please check the more detailed guidelines further down.

  1. Flash your .img file onto a microSD card using Raspberry’s Pi imager. Do not edit parameters at it locks the boot system.
  2. Insert your card into the Raspberry and power it up.
  3. First run: after 1-8 minutes (depending on the device and disk) a “Kiwix Hotspot” network (or whatever name you chose on Imager service) will appear. Connect to it. A captive portal will appear.
  4. Follow the instructions from the captive portal that appears or simply type http://goto.kiwix.hotspot (or http://network-name.hotspot if you changed it in Imager service) in your favourite browser. Beware to type the full address with http://, and not https!
  5. That’s it. Browse, and enjoy!

———

Downloading and flashing the image file
  • We highly recommend that you download via torrent as it checks again file corruption. Make sure to use Transmission (4.11+) or another webseed client so it does not wait for other peers before starting to download.
  • When flashing your image onto the microSD card with the Raspberry Pi imager, make sure you have enough space on your card to allow for the instsallation (image size listed at the top of this webpage) and let it go through the full verification step so as to make sure the image is copied correctly.
  • Do not change any of the settings (network name or whatnot) as it bricks the system.
  • If your card isn’t new then maybe try with another one. These things are pretty fragile and tend to wear off over time, might be worth checking out. See also below for hardware testing.
Running the Raspberry Pi
  • Remember: the Raspberry Pi zero 2W is not supported yet.
  • You need to give it 5-8 minutes for the first boot to unpack everything and show a network, after that it’ll be much smoother.
Check your hardware
  • Download the Free Image from the Content Bundles Page. It’s a smaller download that speeds up testing. Please use the torrent link to ensure there is no issue with the download (it downloads from the same HTTPs location but it ensures it’s not corrupt).
  • Insert your SD-card onto your computer (again, ensure you have sufficient space on the card).
  • Launch the Raspberry Pi Imager software.
    • Don’t use the Choose device button
    • Select the downloaded image file via Choose OS -> Use custom (filename should be demo_yyyy-mm_xxxxxxxx.img or similar)
    • Select the SD-card using Choose storage button
    • Click Next button
    • Select No when asked about OS customisation
    • Select Yes at the warning to confirm your SD-card will be erased
    • Let the process complete, including the verification part.
At this point the SD card should contain exactly what it’s supposed to.
    • Insert the card in the Pi.
    • Make sure the power supply is appropriate:
      • 12.5W (2.5A) for Pi Zero2W, Pi3B and Pi 3B+.
        Pi3B accepts 2.1A but we recommend the more common 2.5A.
      • 15W (3A) for Pi 4 and Pi 400
      • 27W (5A) for Pi 5.
    • Plug the power cord, lights should turn on.
    • Wait 15 good minutes (to be safe), so 900 seconds.
    • Using another device, look for an SSID named “Kiwix Hotspot”. It’s an open network and it is not providing Internet access so depending on your testing system, it may not be a suggested SSID.

Follow the instructions from the captive portal that appears or simply type http://goto.kiwix.hotspot (or http://network-name.hotspot if you changed it in Imager service) in your favourite browser. Beware to type the full address with http://, and not https!

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