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Build a Debian-based ARM64 system for Raspberry Pi 3

Free

Build Debian ARM64 for Raspberry Pi 3

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Visit Website GitHub (40 stars)

About Build a Debian-based ARM64 system for Raspberry Pi 3

RPi-arm64 is an open-source script-based tool for building a Debian-based ARM64 system tailored for Raspberry Pi 3 (including 3 B+). The build process is divided into four stages: kernel preparation (using rpi-4.14.y by default), rootfs construction via debootstrap, installation of bootcode and Raspberry Pi userland, and offline configuration (e.g., adding users). It supports on-board Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (requires manual hciattach), camera (bcm2835_v4l2 with kernel 4.12+), and RPi.GPIO. Users can customize the build via a configuration file (rpi3_defconfig) or use prebuilt images (available via Baidu Netdisk) that include desktop environments like XFCE, i3wm, LXDE, and rpi-chromium. The tool also offers Docker-based builds for reproducibility and is licensed under LGPL-3.0.

Key Features

Four-stage automated build (kernel, rootfs, bootcode, offline config)
On-board Wi-Fi support
Bluetooth support (manual hciattach required)
Camera support via bcm2835_v4l2 (kernel 4.12+)
RPi.GPIO support using UMRnInside/RPi.GPIO
Prebuilt images with desktop environments (XFCE, i3wm, LXDE, rpi-chromium)
Docker build support for reproducibility
Customizable configuration via rpi3_defconfig
Uses debootstrap for rootfs
Supports F2FS filesystem in configuration examples

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Automated build process reduces manual effort
  • Supports multiple desktop environments in prebuilt images
  • Includes support for hardware features (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, camera, GPIO)
  • Docker build option for reproducible environments
  • Open source under LGPL-3.0 license
  • Community maintained with active development (209 commits)
Cons
  • Limited to Raspberry Pi 3 and 3 B+ (not Pi 4 or newer)
  • Bluetooth requires manual hciattach command after boot
  • Camera support requires kernel 4.12 or later
  • Prebuilt images only available via Baidu Netdisk (China-specific)
  • Documentation is limited to README files; may lack troubleshooting depth

Best For

Building a custom Debian ARM64 OS for Raspberry Pi 3Developing embedded Linux systems on Raspberry PiCreating lightweight or desktop environment images for Raspberry PiTesting ARM64 software on Raspberry Pi hardware

FAQ

What Raspberry Pi models are supported?
The tool is designed for Raspberry Pi 3 and 3 B+ (tested on those models).
Is Wi-Fi supported?
Yes, on-board Wi-Fi is supported in the built system.
How do I build the system?
Install dependencies using install_deps.sh, optionally copy a configuration from configExamples, then run build.sh. A Docker build option is also available via build_docker.sh.
What desktop environments are available in prebuilt images?
Prebuilt images include XFCE, i3wm, LXDE, and rpi-chromium.
What license is this project under?
Licensed under LGPL-3.0.