Banana Pro Downloads

Banana Pro download and image verification

Summary

This page is the central downloads hub for the LeMaker Banana Pro single-board computer. The Banana Pro is built around the Allwinner A20 dual-core SoC and features onboard WiFi and Bluetooth via the AP6210 module, distinguishing it from the standard Banana Pi. All operating system images, firmware files, and tools listed here are specific to the Banana Pro hardware revision. Using images built for the Banana Pi on a Banana Pro may result in non-functional wireless connectivity or boot failures.

Who This Is For

This guide is intended for Banana Pro owners who need to download, verify, and install a compatible operating system image. It is particularly relevant for users who require WiFi and Bluetooth functionality out of the box. Whether you are configuring a headless IoT gateway or a lightweight desktop, the steps below will ensure you obtain a verified, board-specific image.

Important: Use Banana Pro-Specific Images

The Banana Pro includes the Broadcom AP6210 WiFi/Bluetooth combo module, which requires specific kernel drivers and firmware blobs not present in standard Banana Pi images. Always download images explicitly labelled for the Banana Pro. If you flash a generic Banana Pi image, the board will boot but WiFi and Bluetooth interfaces will not be available. Confirm the image name contains "bananapro" or "BPro" before proceeding.

Download and Verification Guidance

Available operating system images for the Banana Pro include Raspbian-based distributions, Ubuntu Server, Arch Linux ARM, and Android builds. Download only from the official LeMaker resources mirror or verified community sources. Each download includes a SHA-256 checksum file.

Verify the integrity of your download before flashing:

sha256sum bananapro-ubuntu-server.img.zip

Compare the hash output with the published value. Delete and re-download any file with a mismatched checksum. Store verified images on reliable local storage rather than on network shares or cloud-synced folders, which may alter file contents silently.

Flash Checklist

  • Use a Class 10 or UHS-I microSD card with a minimum capacity of 8 GB.
  • Format the card with the SD Card Formatter utility before writing.
  • Extract the image archive if compressed, then write the .img file using balenaEtcher, Win32DiskImager, or dd.
  • Allow the write and optional verification pass to complete fully before ejecting.
  • Insert the card into the Banana Pro with power disconnected.

First Boot Verification

After powering on the Banana Pro, observe the onboard LEDs. A solid green power LED and blinking activity LED indicate the boot sequence is progressing. Connect via HDMI or serial console to verify the OS loads to a login prompt. After logging in with the default credentials from the release notes, test wireless connectivity immediately:

ip link show wlan0

If the wlan0 interface is present and in a DOWN state, bring it up and scan for networks:

sudo ip link set wlan0 up && sudo iw dev wlan0 scan | grep SSID

Seeing nearby network names confirms that the AP6210 module and its firmware are loaded correctly. If wlan0 does not appear at all, you may have flashed a Banana Pi image instead of a Banana Pro image.

Troubleshooting

  • No WiFi interface: Confirm you are using a Banana Pro-specific image. Check dmesg | grep brcmfmac for driver load messages.
  • Bluetooth not detected: Ensure the AP6210 firmware files are present in /lib/firmware/brcm/. Some minimal images omit Bluetooth firmware.
  • Board does not boot: Verify the image checksum. Try a different SD card. Use a 5 V / 2 A power supply.
  • Kernel panic at boot: Re-flash with a fresh download and verify the checksum matches before writing.
  • HDMI no signal: Connect the HDMI cable before applying power. Try a different display or cable.

Related Guides

Author: LeMaker Documentation Team
Last updated: 2026-02-10