Flashing OS to eMMC / accessing eMMC

In short, it’s like this:

  • On a computer with Linux to which you will connect the Blade
sudo apt install libusb-1.0-0-dev
git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/raspberrypi/usbboot
cd usbboot
make
cd recovery
sudo ./rpiboot

If you have a Mac OS you need Homebrew

brew install pkgconfig libusb

  • Slide the USB switch to USB-C. Press Boot (nRPIBOOT) on the Blade and connect it to your Linux/Mac with USB-C cable

  • After that you will be able to mount the Boot partition if present. (it usually happens automatically). Note a stock CM4 has a completely empty eMMC.

You can fix your files/configs or install the OS using the Raspberry Pi Imager

For complete instructions, see Jeff Geerling’s website: instructions