How to Install OSMC on a Raspberry Pi

To install OSMC on a Raspberry Pi, download the official OSMC installer for your computer, use it to prepare a microSD card for your Pi model, then boot the Pi from that card and let the on-device installer finish. Check your model first: as of October 2026, Raspberry Pi 5 is not supported, and OSMC lists only an older 2020 release for the original Pi 1 and first-generation Zero models.

Check your Raspberry Pi and prepare a card

OSMC lists current images for Pi 2, 3, 3+, Zero 2 W, Pi 4, and Pi 400; the latest shown is 2026.05-2. Pi 1 and the original Zero/Zero W have only the 2020.11-1 legacy image, and Pi 5 is not supported. Check OSMC’s supported-device notes, then download the matching image from its official download page.

Gather a microSD card of at least 8 GB (Class 10 recommended), a card reader, HDMI display, and a stable power supply made for your Pi. A keyboard or compatible remote helps. The installer erases the selected card, so back it up first. Avoid TV USB power; an unstable supply can cause freezes or filesystem problems. See the Raspberry Pi FAQ.

Install OSMC on the microSD card

1. Download the desktop installer. On the OSMC Download page, choose the installer for Windows, macOS, or Linux. OSMC currently lists macOS 12.6 or later and a Linux AppImage for AMD 64-bit systems. Install or launch the program on the computer that has the card reader.



2. Select your Pi model and release. In the installer, choose the Raspberry Pi family that matches your board, then select the latest release offered for it. Do not choose an image for a different generation. If you have a Pi 1 or original Zero, use the legacy image linked in the download page’s disk-image section; OSMC does not list a current release for that family.



3. Choose the installation target. For the usual setup, choose the SD card as OSMC’s destination and as the drive for its install files. Verify the drive name and capacity to avoid overwriting another disk.
4. Set network options, then write the card. Configure Ethernet or Wi-Fi if offered; DHCP works for most home networks. Start writing and wait for the completion message before removing the card.

Boot the Pi and complete first-run setup

6. Start the Raspberry Pi from the card. Eject the card, insert it while the Pi is powered off, and connect HDMI, optional Ethernet, and the Pi’s power supply. On first boot, OSMC prepares storage and installs the system. Leave it running; it may restart when finished.



7. Follow the setup prompts. Choose the interface language and complete any device-name or SSH prompts shown. Enabling SSH is optional; leave it disabled if you do not need remote command-line access. The exact screens can vary with the installer version and device.



8. Connect to your network. If you did not preconfigure networking, select Ethernet or Wi-Fi during setup. For Wi-Fi, choose your network name and enter its password. OSMC’s network setup guide explains how to change connection settings later in My OSMC.



9. Finish and check the system. Choose the skin or other preferences offered, then wait for the OSMC home screen. Test the remote or keyboard and confirm that the Pi has network access before adding media libraries or add-ons.

After installation: update and secure OSMC

Check for updates before adding add-ons. If you enabled SSH, change OSMC’s documented default password (osmc) with passwd osmc and do not expose SSH through router port forwarding. See the command-line security guidance.

If the installation does not start

• No boot screen: confirm that your Pi model is supported, the image matches the model, and the card finished writing. Try another Class 10 card or reader if available.
• Install freezes or network drops: use a stable power supply intended for the Pi, not a TV USB port. Check the power and temperature indicators described in OSMC’s FAQ.
• Setup cannot connect: try Ethernet first, re-enter the Wi-Fi password, or finish setup and configure networking later in My OSMC.
• The computer shows only a small card partition afterward: that can be normal. OSMC prepares the card during the Pi’s first boot and uses the remaining space for its system.