OS Only setup guide

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!

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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.

• • 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!