If you want to experience Arch Linux on your Raspberry Pi, Manjaro might be your best choice. It is based on Arch but packaged as a traditional Linux distribution, supporting multiple desktop environments and architectures. Let’s learn how to install it on Raspberry Pi.
What is a Linux Distribution?
https://raspberrytips.com/glossary/distribution/
The easiest way to install Manjaro on Raspberry Pi is to download the latest image file from the official website. Then, you can use tools like Raspberry Pi Imager or Balena Etcher to flash it onto an SD card.
In this tutorial, I will first briefly introduce Manjaro, then show you how to install three different versions: Minimal, XFCE, or KDE Plasma.
If you are a beginner with Raspberry Pi or Linux, I have something that can help you right away!
Download my free Linux command cheat sheet — it is a quick reference guide containing all the basic commands you need to get work done on your Raspberry Pi. Copy the link below and paste it into your browser to get it for free!
https://raspberrytips.com/downloads/?source&lm=2&nab=0
Manjaro is introduced as a fast and user-friendly Linux distribution.
It is based on Arch Linux, a system we don’t often see on Raspberry Pi because its installation is relatively complex (compared to other distributions). Thus, Manjaro brings fresh air to Raspberry Pi and will delight fans of Arch Linux.
This operating system has many versions, suitable for different purposes:
Official Versions: Suitable for Desktop.
Community Versions: Manjaro also supports many community projects to provide more options for end users.
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lCinnamon (same as Linux Mint)
https://raspberrytips.com/linux-mint-on-raspberry-pi/
ARM Architecture: You might have come for these versions, as most single-board computers are supported.
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lRaspberry Pi 4, 400, 3B+, Zero 2
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For this tutorial, I will test the system on my Raspberry Pi 4, but you can also install it on other supported single-board computers (if supported).
Manjaro released its first version in 2011 and remained in testing until 2013.
Thus, it is relatively new in the history of Linux, but it has matured enough to provide us with a stable operating system.
Manjaro now uses a naming convention similar to Ubuntu, including the release year and month along with a codename. For example, the version I tested for this article is 23.02, released in February 2023.
The name Manjaro comes from Mount Kilimanjaro, which you can pronounce as “Man-jar-o” or “Man-ha-ro”.
Manjaro is based on Arch Linux, so it inherits some principles from Arch Linux (such as design simplicity and intuitiveness). Manjaro simplifies the installation process and improves some features of Arch Linux.Manjaro’s official goal has always been to enhance usability and accessibility, ensuring that it can run immediately after installation.
Now, we will try the three versions available on Raspberry Pi and see the results.
Manjaro Minimal Installation
I will start with an important part, directly showing you the operating system without a graphical interface and telling you the main differences between it and Raspberry Pi OS (and most Debian-based distributions).The next two parts will be shorter, only showing the XFCE and KDE versions.
To download the Manjaro image, you need to visit the official website:
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Copy the link below to open the page.
https://manjaro.org/products
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Now select “Raspberry Pi” in the dropdown menu. You can use the same image on Raspberry Pi 3, 400, and Zero 2, but older models are not supported.
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If you click “Image,” the download will start immediately.
I am downloading the Minimal image for this first test, but at this point, the download process for all versions is the same.
Once you have the image on your computer, flash it onto the SD card. This process is similar to other systems.
I will show you the steps using Raspberry Pi Imager, as I guess you have it installed, but feel free to use Balena Etcher or any tool you prefer.
How to install and use Balena Etcher on Ubuntu (the easiest way):
https://raspberrytips.com/install-balena-etcher-ubuntu/
If you are not familiar with this process, here are the steps you need to follow:
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If you haven’t installed Raspberry Pi Imager on your computer yet, download and install it.
https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/
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Click “Next” and confirm to start the writing process. Imager may ask if you want to customize the operating system, but I think it’s incompatible with Manjaro, so your answer to this question doesn’t matter.
In a few minutes, the SD card will be ready. You can eject it and insert it into your Raspberry Pi.
Manjaro Installation and Configuration
Insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi and power it on.After a few seconds, the system will boot up, and a wizard will appear. You will first need to set the keyboard layout:
Then, you will create the first user and password:
Enter the username you want to use and confirm. Then you can add extra groups for the new user. For now, you can leave it blank.
Next, you will need to answer the following questions:
Try not to miss any steps because every time you fail to provide the correct information, the wizard will restart from the beginning, which is quite annoying.
Finally, the wizard will give you a list to confirm all the information.
Confirm that everything is OK
The basic configuration takes just a few seconds. Then, the system will resize the SD card partitions and reboot. After rebooting, the system is ready for use based on your settings.
On a DHCP network, Ethernet connections can be used directly.This is indeed the best way to get internet access.
I found no way to enable Wi-Fi on the minimal version of Manjaro.Every forum, post, and tutorial I found did not work on Raspberry Pi.
You can try following the instructions on the Arch Linux wiki:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Iwd#Connect_to_a_network
But every operation I tried ended with an “operation failed” error. I do not know what happened specifically.
If anyone knows how to do this, help from the community would be greatly appreciated.
SSH is enabled by default, so if you have another computer, I highly recommend switching to SSH as soon as possible to perform this tutorial.You can connect directly to the newly created user and run admin commands using “sudo.” If you do not know the IP address of your Raspberry Pi, you can find it using the following command:
Then, connect to the Raspberry Pi running Manjaro in the same way as with other distributions.If you need more guidance, you can read my SSH guide.
https://raspberrytips.com/ssh-guide-raspberry-pi/
Are you a bit confused about Linux command line? First, check this article to learn the most important commands to remember and a downloadable cheat sheet for quick reference to these commands.
https://raspberrytips.com/raspberry-pi-commands/
Remember, Manjaro is based on Arch Linux, not Debian, so many commands differ from those you might be used to using on Raspberry Pi.
If you are not familiar with this, here is a quick overview that might help you:
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pacman is the equivalent tool to apt on Manjaro.
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To install a new package:
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To search for a package name:
Find the IP Address of Raspberry Pi
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As mentioned, you can use the following command:
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Since the purpose of this article is not to provide you with a detailed tutorial on how to use Manjaro, if you need any help, I highly recommend checking the Manjaro wiki.
https://wiki.manjaro.org/index.php?title=Main_Page
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If you can’t find Debian commands on Manjaro, check the wiki or the forums here.
https://forum.manjaro.org/
For basic commands, if you are used to Raspberry Pi OS/Debian or any other Linux distribution, these commands should not be a problem for you. If you need help getting started, I have a list of common commands for Raspberry PiOS.
https://raspberrytips.com/raspberry-pi-commands/
Testing the minimal version of Manjaro is a great experience, with a nice wizard helping us through the basic configuration. The main downside is the Wi-Fi configuration (but I believe there must be a solution).
Let’s see how the versions with graphical user interfaces perform, starting with the XFCE version.
Manjaro XFCE Installation
XFCE is a common desktop environment on Linux.It should be user-friendly and lightweight, making it a good choice for Raspberry Pi.
You can download and prepare the SD card in the same way (download page + Raspberry Pi Imager), and the first boot of the XFCE version is very similar to the minimal version I explained earlier.
Download page:https://manjaro.org/products
A wizard will appear, allowing you to configure basic parameters in the same way. Configure user, password, timezone, language, and layout, then proceed. The only difference is that you get a more intuitive interface to accomplish these tasks.
Raspberry Pi will reboot to apply the configuration.
After rebooting, the graphical user interface will start from the login screen (unless you requested the default user to log in automatically). Enter the password you chose and proceed.
You are now in the XFCE desktop and can use it like any other distribution.
Wi-Fi connects well on XFCE.Click the network icon in the lower right corner of the screen (near the clock), select your network, and enter the password.
You can find all the basic software in the start menu on the left. You can install more packages in “System” > “Add/Remove Software”.
Manjaro KDE Plasma Installation
I was also interested in testing KDE Plasma on Manjaro, so I did it
KDE is another desktop environment you will often find on many Linux distributions.It may be more well-known than XFCE as it has always been a direct competitor to GNOME. KDE Plasma is the new version of the environment created by KDE for Linux systems.
On the first boot, you will be asked similar questions as with other versions, but there is a graphical user interface (just like XFCE). Complete the configuration wizard, reboot, and start in graphical mode.
Here’s an overview of what the KDE desktop looks like:
At first glance, it does not differ much from XFCE.You will need to use it frequently to see which one suits you best. It is a matter of personal choice; both run well. It’s more about habit than performance or functionality.
The way to connect wirelessly is the same as on XFCE, in the lower right corner of the screen:
I made a video about the process of installing Manjaro on Raspberry Pi; if you need a more detailed step-by-step guide:
That’s it; now you know how to install and configure Manjaro on Raspberry Pi.This is just an introduction, but I hope you now have a better understanding of this system and will try using it.
Personally, I really like this system. Even though I am not very familiar with Arch Linux, I found it easy to use, especially with a desktop environment.
If you plan to use Raspberry Pi as a desktop computer (especially Raspberry Pi 4), it may be a good choice. This distribution ranks high on my list of best Raspberry Pi operating systems.
https://raspberrytips.com/raspberry-pi-4-desktop-pc/
https://raspberrytips.com/best-os-for-raspberry-pi/
If you are interested in Arch Linux, consider testing EndeavourOS. It is not as intuitive as Manjaro yet, but they are relatively new, so I believe they will work hard in this area.
https://raspberrytips.com/endeavouros-installation/
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2. Send us a private message with your contact information to place an order directly.
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