Banana Pi Resources
Summary
This page serves as a consolidated resource hub for the Banana Pi single-board computer. Here you will find links to all available operating system images, hardware documentation, schematics, GPIO pinout references, and community wiki entries. Whether you are setting up a Banana Pi for the first time or looking for a specific technical reference, this page provides quick access to the most commonly needed resources.
Who This Is For
This resource page is for all Banana Pi users — from first-time buyers unboxing their board to experienced developers looking for quick-reference material. It is especially helpful for those who need a single starting point to navigate the full range of Banana Pi documentation.
What You'll Do
You will use this page to locate and access OS images, hardware specifications, GPIO pinout diagrams, community wiki articles, and quick-start instructions for the most common Banana Pi tasks.
Requirements
- Banana Pi board (any model — M1, M2, M3, or compatible variant)
- A microSD card (8 GB or larger, Class 10 recommended)
- A reliable 5V/2A micro-USB power supply
- A computer with an internet connection for downloading images and documentation
- A microSD card reader for flashing OS images
Download and Verification
All official Banana Pi OS images are hosted on mirror.lemaker.org. Visit the Image Files page for a complete listing of available distributions including Raspbian, Ubuntu, Debian, Arch Linux, Fedora, openSUSE, Android, and more. Each image is accompanied by a SHA-256 checksum file. Always verify your download before flashing by comparing checksums.
Flash Procedure
The standard flash procedure applies to all Banana Pi OS images. On Linux, use dd if=image.img of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress. On Windows, use Etcher or Win32DiskImager. On macOS, use dd with the rdisk device for faster writes. Ensure you select the correct target device and safely eject the card after writing.
First Boot Steps
Insert the flashed microSD card, connect power and peripherals (Ethernet, display, keyboard), and power on the board. Most images will boot to a login prompt or desktop within 30–90 seconds. Default credentials vary by distribution — consult the specific image documentation. On first boot, expand the filesystem if not done automatically, set a new password, and configure your timezone and locale.
Post-Boot Configuration
Common post-boot tasks across all distributions include updating the system packages, enabling SSH for remote access, configuring a static IP address or Wi-Fi, and setting up the SATA port if your board model supports it. For GPIO projects, install the WiringPi library. For headless server use, disable the graphical desktop and unnecessary services to free memory. Consult the specific distribution guide for package manager commands and configuration tools.
Troubleshooting
- Board does not boot: Verify the image was flashed correctly and the checksum matches. Try a different microSD card — not all cards are compatible.
- No display output: Check the HDMI cable and try a different display. Some images require boot configuration changes for certain monitors.
- No network connectivity: Confirm Ethernet cable connection and DHCP availability. For Wi-Fi, ensure a compatible USB adapter is connected and drivers are available in the chosen distribution.
- SATA drive not detected: Check cable connections and power supply adequacy. Not all Banana Pi models include a SATA port.
- Cannot find default credentials: Consult the release notes for your specific image on the downloads page.
Related Guides
Author: LeMaker Documentation Team
Last updated: 2026-02-10