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Yes. Many Raspberry Pi models can run without an SD card by booting from a USB drive or SSD. Depending on the board, you can also boot from NVMe storage connected over PCIe, use network boot, or—in some Compute Module configurations—use onboard eMMC. The Pi still needs somewhere to store or access its operating system, and the right setup depends on your exact model and revision.
Identify your Raspberry Pi before choosing a boot method
Boot support varies across Raspberry Pi generations and board revisions. Check the model printed on the board or identify it from your current system before following model-specific instructions. Raspberry Pi’s boot media documentation describes the available storage routes; its hardware boot documentation and boot-order guide explain model-dependent configuration.
In practical terms, USB mass-storage boot is the broadest general-purpose alternative to an SD card. NVMe is an option for compatible newer hardware, network boot requires server-side infrastructure, and onboard eMMC applies only to certain Compute Modules.
Boot from a USB drive or SSD
Raspberry Pi documentation lists USB mass-storage boot support for Zero-series boards from Zero 2 W onward, Compute Modules from CM3 onward, and flagship boards from Raspberry Pi 2B revision 1.2 onward. The setup is not identical across those devices: some older models require USB host boot to be enabled, while Pi 4 and newer flagship devices use an EEPROM bootloader whose boot order must include USB.
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Write the operating system and set the boot order
- Use Raspberry Pi Imager to write a Raspberry Pi OS image to the USB drive or SSD.
- Connect the USB storage device to the Pi. If your model requires a bootloader or USB host boot configuration, follow the instructions for that exact model and revision in the USB mass-storage boot guide and boot-order guide.
- Power on the Pi and allow it to try the configured boot device. If it does not start, check the board-specific boot requirements and the drive, adapter, and power supply before changing settings.
Early Raspberry Pi 4 and early CM4 units may need a bootloader update. For older boards that require the one-time-programmable (OTP) setting program_usb_boot_mode=1, understand the consequence before applying it: the change is permanent and cannot be undone. Raspberry Pi specifically warns that enabling it on the 3A+ also permanently prevents USB device mode. Confirm the board and follow the official instructions rather than applying the setting as a generic USB-boot step.
Choose storage and troubleshoot power or adapter issues
A USB flash drive or SSD needs enough capacity for the operating system and your files, and its interface and any adapter must work with the Pi. Raspberry Pi recommends checking that a USB storage device works correctly under Linux; some USB-to-SATA adapters can behave differently in boot firmware and Linux UAS mode. A hard disk may need a powered hub, and multiple disks may need external power. These are conditional needs, not requirements for every USB setup. See Raspberry Pi’s USB boot guidance.
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Other ways to run without an SD card
| Method | What it needs | Best fit and trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| USB mass storage | A compatible USB flash drive or SSD; model-specific boot support and configuration | The broadest practical option. The drive is local, but adapter behavior and power can affect booting. |
| NVMe over PCIe | A compatible newer Pi, PCIe HAT, and NVMe drive | A local-storage option for supported newer hardware. Check the board, HAT, and SSD combination; compatibility is not universal. |
| Network boot | Supported hardware and network services, including DHCP and TFTP, plus a network-hosted root filesystem | A way to boot without a local boot drive, but it requires server and network setup rather than simply plugging in storage. |
| Compute Module eMMC | A Compute Module configuration that includes onboard eMMC | Storage is built into that module; this does not mean standard Raspberry Pi boards have internal storage. |
The official documentation describes supported methods and setup, but does not establish comparable benchmark results for these options. Choose based on board compatibility, extra hardware, setup complexity, power needs, and whether you have suitable network infrastructure.
NVMe over PCIe
Raspberry Pi’s boot media guidance identifies storage connected through a PCIe HAT as an option on newer models. The boot-order documentation for Pi 4 and later includes an NVMe/USB boot-order mode. This route requires compatible board hardware and a PCIe HAT; check the specific HAT and SSD combination for your model before buying or configuring it.
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Network boot
Network boot moves the boot process and system storage onto the network. Raspberry Pi describes a sequence in which the bootloader gets an IP address and TFTP server details through DHCP, firmware loads via TFTP, firmware then loads the kernel and command line through TFTP, and the kernel mounts the root filesystem over NFS or another mechanism. That requires suitable server-side services and networking, so it is not a simple plug-in replacement for a drive. Raspberry Pi labels IPv6 netboot experimental and says it works only on Raspberry Pi 4 and CM4. See the network boot documentation.
Compute Module eMMC
Some Compute Modules have onboard eMMC that can hold the operating system, eliminating the need for an SD card as system storage. This is a feature of particular Compute Module configurations, not standard Raspberry Pi boards generally. Raspberry Pi also documents using a USB mass-storage connection to expose Compute Module storage for programming. Details are in the Compute Module eMMC documentation.
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Which option should you choose?
- Choose USB if your board supports it and you want a straightforward local drive. Confirm whether your model needs USB host enablement or an EEPROM boot-order change.
- Consider NVMe if you have a newer compatible board and are prepared to use a PCIe HAT. Verify all three components—the board, HAT, and SSD—before relying on the combination.
- Use network boot if you can provide the DHCP, TFTP, and network-root setup it requires.
- Use eMMC only if your Compute Module configuration includes it.
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