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Raspberry Pi OS

Raspberry Pi OS is a free, Debian-based operating system optimized for the Raspberry Pi family of single-board computers, providing a complete Linux environment with support for over 35,000 packages from the Debian repositories. Developed to deliver optimal performance on Raspberry Pi hardware, it serves as the official and recommended operating system from the Raspberry Pi Foundation, suitable for education, hobbyist projects, and embedded applications. Originally launched in 2012 under the name Raspbian as an unofficial community-driven port of Debian ARM for the initial Raspberry Pi models, it was created by developers Mike Thompson and Peter Green to address the need for a lightweight, optimized Linux distribution on the platform's ARM architecture. In 2020, the Raspberry Pi Foundation officially adopted the project, rebranding it as Raspberry Pi OS to reflect its enhanced integration and ongoing development by their in-house team. The OS follows Debian's release cycle with major versions released approximately every two years, including the Bookworm edition on October 11, 2023, based on Debian 12, and the Trixie edition on October 2, 2025, based on Debian 13, each introducing updates to the kernel, desktop environment, and hardware support. Raspberry Pi OS is available in three main editions to accommodate different use cases: Lite, a minimal headless version without a graphical interface for server or embedded applications; Desktop, featuring the PIXEL desktop environment based on LXDE for general computing; and Full, which includes additional recommended software like office suites and multimedia tools. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures, with the 64-bit variant recommended for Raspberry Pi 3 and later models to leverage full hardware capabilities, including up to 8 GB of RAM. Key pre-installed applications include the Chromium web browser, Thonny Python IDE, VLC media player, and libraries like GPIO Zero for hardware interfacing, while package management is handled via APT for easy installation of additional software. The OS receives regular updates for security and features, with major upgrades typically requiring a fresh installation via the Raspberry Pi Imager tool rather than in-place updates.

Overview

Description

Raspberry Pi OS is the official operating system for single-board computers, optimized for architecture and derived from . It provides a complete environment tailored to the resource constraints and hardware features of devices, enabling efficient operation on low-power systems. The primary purposes of Raspberry Pi OS include supporting education, hobbyist projects, embedded systems, and general-purpose computing on compact hardware. Developed by the , it facilitates learning programming and computing fundamentals while serving industrial applications and personal tinkering. Key characteristics of Raspberry Pi OS encompass its free and open-source nature, compatibility with over 35,000 packages, and support for both graphical user interfaces and command-line operations. It arrives pre-configured for hardware, including optimized drivers for peripherals like GPIO pins and cameras, ensuring seamless integration out of the box. Initially released in July 2012 as Raspbian, the operating system has evolved continuously, with the latest version as of October 2025 based on 13 (Trixie).

Development and support

is primarily developed by the , a UK-based educational , in collaboration with an in-house software engineering team at Ltd. The Foundation oversees the core development to ensure the operating system remains optimized for hardware, while the engineering team handles ongoing enhancements and maintains backwards compatibility across all models from the 1 to the 5. Open-source community contributions play a significant role, with developers submitting patches and improvements through public repositories, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that aligns with the Foundation's mission to promote . The support model for Raspberry Pi OS emphasizes accessibility and reliability, with regular updates delivered through the APT package manager using commands like sudo apt full-upgrade to handle package dependencies and security patches. Official documentation is hosted on raspberrypi.com, providing detailed guides for installation, configuration, and troubleshooting, while the Raspberry Pi Forums serve as a primary community hub where users receive assistance from engineering staff and experienced contributors. Raspberry Pi OS adheres to the as a derivative of , ensuring all included software is fully open-source and redistributable. Its is publicly available, with core components such as the and firmware hosted on under licenses including BSD 3-Clause, , and GPL v3, while -sourced packages are accessible via official archives. Close collaboration with the project enables Raspberry Pi OS to port over 35,000 packages for architectures, maintaining compatibility by aligning with 's release cycles—such as basing recent versions on Debian Bookworm and Trixie—and providing tailored ARMhf and ARM64 builds for different models. This partnership ensures seamless integration of upstream improvements while addressing hardware-specific needs like GPU firmware blobs. Development and maintenance are funded through Raspberry Pi Ltd., the commercial entity that generates revenue from hardware sales—exceeding $260 million in FY24—to support software initiatives, including a dedicated team comprising approximately 50% of the company's staff focused on optimizations and innovations. This structure allows the to prioritize educational outreach without direct commercial pressures, while the Ltd. provides the resources for sustained technical advancements.

History

Origins

Raspberry Pi OS originated as a community-driven effort to create an accessible operating system tailored for the newly launched hardware, with the primary aim of supporting educational initiatives to revive interest in among schoolchildren. The , established in 2009, sought to address the declining enrollment in computing courses observed in schools during the , by developing low-cost hardware that encouraged hands-on programming and experimentation. This educational motivation drove the need for a stable, that could run efficiently on the resource-constrained boards, enabling teachers and students to explore computing concepts without high barriers to entry. Initially named Raspbian, the operating system was developed as an optimized derivative of Debian Linux, specifically ported to the ARMv6 architecture used in the original Raspberry Pi Model B, which featured the Broadcom BCM2835 system-on-chip. The project was spearheaded by volunteers Mike Thompson, a former CTO at Atomz, and Peter Green, who began rebuilding Debian from source to ensure compatibility with the Pi's unique boot process and hardware limitations. Their work addressed significant early challenges, including the labor-intensive porting of thousands of Debian packages to ARMv6—requiring over 20,000 rebuilds—and optimizing the system for the device's 256 MB of RAM to prevent excessive swapping and ensure smooth performance on basic educational tasks like running Python interpreters or simple simulations. The first limited alpha release of Raspbian became available for download on April 20, 2012, containing about five percent of Debian's packages, sufficient for initial testing and basic functionality. Following the Raspberry Pi's public launch in February 2012, the recognized the potential of Raspbian to fulfill its educational goals and collaborated closely with and to refine the distribution. On July 18, 2012, the announced and released its first official image based on Raspbian, marking a key milestone that integrated the OS more formally with the ecosystem and provided a ready-to-use solution for users. This early version emphasized stability and low resource usage, allowing the to serve as an affordable platform for classroom computing projects, such as exercises and interfacing, thereby laying the groundwork for widespread adoption in educational settings.

Key developments

In 2013, the introduced NOOBS (New Out of the Box Software), an installer designed to simplify the initial setup process for users by allowing easy imaging of the operating system onto an without requiring network access or prior downloads. This tool provided a menu-driven to select and install Raspbian or other compatible operating systems, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for beginners and educators deploying devices in classrooms. In 2016, Raspbian underwent a notable usability enhancement with the adoption of the desktop environment, a customized version of that offered a more polished and intuitive interface compared to the earlier, more basic setup. This shift emphasized lightweight performance suitable for the Raspberry Pi's limited resources while incorporating modern theming, improved file management, and better integration with Pi-specific applications, making the OS more accessible for everyday computing tasks. Between 2016 and 2018, experimental support for 64-bit architecture was added to Raspbian, enabling users to run a 64-bit on compatible like the 3, which helped address memory limitations in resource-intensive applications despite the OS remaining primarily 32-bit for stability. Concurrently, optimizations were implemented for newer models, including the 3 released in 2016, with updates to the and drivers enhancing and , CPU scheduling, and overall responsiveness to leverage the quad-core processor. These efforts extended to the in 2019, where Raspbian Buster incorporated hardware-specific tweaks for its VI GPU and improved support, boosting multimedia and peripheral handling. In 2018, Raspbian began integrating compositor support experimentally through packages like in the upcoming Buster repository, aiming to replace the X11 windowing system for superior graphics rendering and reduced latency on Pi hardware. Additionally, built-in tools for and were refined in the , utilizing raspi-config and applets to streamline device pairing and network setup, particularly benefiting models with onboard wireless capabilities. Community contributions played a pivotal role in these advancements, with developers on the official Raspberry Pi forums and GitHub repositories collaborating to enhance features such as camera module support; for instance, the picamera Python library emerged from community efforts to provide robust interfaces for the CSI-connected cameras, enabling applications in computer vision and media projects. These open-source inputs, often tested and refined through forum discussions, ensured timely integration of hardware-specific fixes and extensions into official releases. Following the rebranding, subsequent major releases continued to advance the OS. The Bookworm edition, released on October 11, 2023, based on 12, introduced as the default display server with the Wayfire compositor, for audio, and improved . The Trixie edition followed on October 2, 2025, based on 13, with kernel version 6.12, enhanced security features, and further optimizations for newer models like the Pi 5.

Renaming

In May 2020, the Raspberry Pi Foundation rebranded its official operating system from Raspbian to Raspberry Pi OS. This change, announced by Eben Upton, the foundation's CEO, aimed to align the software more closely with the Raspberry Pi hardware brand while distinguishing the foundation's builds from the original independent open-source Raspbian project and any unofficial forks that had proliferated in the community. By unifying the naming convention, the rebranding sought to reduce confusion for new users encountering multiple similar distributions and to encompass both 32-bit and future 64-bit variants under a single, official identity. The announcement coincided with the release of an 8 GB model and the introduction of an early for a 64-bit version of Raspberry Pi OS, specifically tailored as the default recommendation for the Pi 4 to leverage its full ARM64 capabilities. This 64-bit image was built directly against Debian's arm64 port, retaining the same core applications, , and as the established 32-bit edition. Concurrently, the Imager —first launched in March 2020—was updated to streamline of the newly named OS, including support for selecting and the 64-bit directly. Upton emphasized in the announcement that this evolution would ensure long-term support, seamless hardware-software integration, and continued accessibility for the foundation's educational and hobbyist audience. For existing users, the transition was designed to be frictionless, with full preserved through standard upgrade paths like apt update and apt full-upgrade, allowing Raspbian installations to evolve into Raspberry Pi OS without reconfiguration. The rebranding clarified the OS's official provenance, mitigating risks from community-modified versions that could introduce instability or compatibility issues, and reinforced the foundation's commitment to a cohesive . Following the rename, the first major release under the new branding arrived in November 2021, with Raspberry Pi OS based on Debian 11 "Bullseye," which brought updated packages, improved performance, and enhanced multimedia support while upholding the system's Debian roots and Pi-specific optimizations.

Features

User interface

Raspberry Pi OS utilizes the PIXEL desktop environment as its default graphical user interface, a lightweight customization of the LXDE desktop forked and tailored for the platform's resource constraints and educational focus. Introduced in September 2016, PIXEL incorporates Raspberry-themed visual elements, such as custom icons and wallpapers inspired by the Raspberry Pi branding, while maintaining LXDE's modular architecture for efficient performance on low-power hardware. This design emphasizes simplicity and responsiveness, enabling smooth operation even on older Raspberry Pi models. Key components of the PIXEL interface include a customizable taskbar featuring applets for monitoring network connectivity, CPU usage, and system resources, providing users with at-a-glance performance insights. The Chromium web browser is pre-pinned to the taskbar's application launch bar for quick access, reflecting the OS's emphasis on web-based educational tools and browsing. The PCManFM file manager serves as the primary interface for file navigation, optimized to support both keyboard shortcuts and touch inputs, which facilitates seamless interaction in diverse setups like desktops or touchscreen displays. Accessibility is a core design principle in PIXEL, with built-in support for high-contrast themes to enhance visibility for users with visual impairments. The Orca screen reader integrates natively, offering speech synthesis and magnification tools to describe interface elements and support navigation via keyboard or braille displays, particularly beneficial in educational environments. Interfaces are scalable through adjustable DPI settings and theme options, allowing customization for varying screen sizes and user needs without compromising usability. For input handling, Raspberry Pi OS provides an on-screen compatible with headless or touch-oriented configurations, enabling text entry without physical peripherals. Multi-monitor setups are supported through the default compositor, which handles extended displays efficiently while maintaining security and performance. The user interface has evolved from the original implementation in early Raspbian releases prior to 2016, which offered basic lightweight functionality, to the more polished environment that added thematic consistency and improved integration. In the Trixie release of October 2025, based on 13, modern theming advancements include the PiXtrix standard theme and PiXonyx dark variant, with a simple toggle for dark mode to reduce and align with contemporary design preferences.

Software components

Raspberry Pi OS includes a selection of core applications tailored for productivity and educational programming, pre-installed in the full desktop edition. The suite provides comprehensive tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and other document-related tasks, enabling users to handle office workflows directly on the device. For programming, serves as the default (IDE) for , featuring a simple interface with built-in debugger and variable inspector to support beginners in coding. , a block-based developed by the , is also pre-installed to introduce users, particularly children, to through interactive projects. Media handling is supported by essential tools in the default installation. offers versatile playback capabilities for audio, video, and various formats, ensuring compatibility with diverse multimedia content without additional setup. , a powerful open-source image editor, is included for manipulation, providing features like layers, filters, and plugins for photo retouching and digital art creation. Regarding computational software, has been available free of charge for users since 2013 and remains supported in recent editions, including compatibility with 64-bit 13 (Trixie) in 2025; community-maintained alternatives like are also accessible via repositories for those seeking ongoing updates. System utilities enhance usability and hardware interaction within the OS. In recent releases such as Trixie (October 2025), the graphical configuration is handled by the plugin-based Control Centre application, while raspi-config remains accessible in ; these tools allow users to adjust settings such as boot options, network configuration, and interface enabling without manual file editing. For hardware simulation, the provides a to test and develop for the add-on, replicating data and LED functionality in software for educational and prototyping purposes. Package management in Raspberry Pi OS relies on the APT system inherited from , supporting installation of over 35,000 packages from official repositories. These include Raspberry Pi-specific additions, such as picamera2, a Python library for controlling the official camera modules with advanced features like and high-dynamic-range imaging, pre-installed since September 2022 to streamline applications. In the 2025 Trixie edition, based on 13, enhancements include improved package handling and broader 64-bit support, facilitating easier integration of AI and tools like Lite through pre-configured dependencies in the repositories, though full setup may require additional installation for optimized models.

Hardware integration

Raspberry Pi OS is optimized for seamless integration with hardware, providing native drivers and configuration options that leverage the board's specific interfaces and components for efficient operation. This tailoring ensures low-latency access to peripherals and power-efficient performance across the device's ARM-based architecture, distinguishing it from general-purpose distributions. The operating system includes built-in support for the General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pins through the RPi.GPIO library, which allows users to control the 40-pin header for digital , and PWM functions directly from Python scripts without requiring privileges in many cases. This library is pre-installed in Raspberry Pi OS and supports all GPIO modes, including event detection for buttons and sensors. Compatibility with the wiringPi library is maintained via community forks, enabling legacy C/C++ projects to interface with GPIO pins on models up to the 5, though official recommendations favor gpiozero or libgpiod for newer hardware. Peripheral integration is facilitated by native kernel drivers and device tree overlays, particularly for Hardware Attached on Top (HAT) add-ons that connect via the GPIO header and use I2C or SPI for communication. HATs are auto-detected through EEPROM identification, loading appropriate overlays from /boot/firmware/overlays/ to configure pins and resources without manual intervention. For imaging peripherals, the Camera Serial Interface (CSI) is supported via libcamera, a framework that handles camera modules like the official Raspberry Pi Camera Module series, enabling high-resolution video capture up to 1080p30 with minimal CPU overhead. Display outputs benefit from integrated drivers for the Display Serial Interface (DSI) on official touchscreens and dual HDMI ports, supporting resolutions up to 4K on compatible models while allowing multi-monitor configurations through config.txt settings. Audio handling utilizes the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA) as the core driver, overlaid with PulseAudio in the desktop edition for features like Bluetooth audio routing and multi-stream mixing, ensuring compatibility with 3.5mm jacks, HDMI audio, and USB sound cards. Power management features in Raspberry Pi OS address the hardware's thermal and voltage constraints, particularly on newer models. Thermal throttling is implemented in the , reducing CPU clock speeds starting at 80°C to prevent damage, with further throttling at 85°C on the 5; users can monitor this via vcgencmd commands and adjust fan configurations for . While official support focuses on overvolting via config.txt (over_voltage=1-8 for stability under load), community tools enable undervolting by setting negative values to reduce power draw and heat on the Pi 5, though this risks instability and is not endorsed by the . The boot process is streamlined through an updatable , which users can refresh using rpi-eeprom-update to incorporate optimizations like faster initialization and enhanced PCIe support, reducing startup times to under 10 seconds on modern hardware. On the 5, this enables direct booting from NVMe SSDs connected via the PCIe Gen 2 x1 using compatible HATs, bypassing microSD cards for improved I/O up to 900 MB/s read speeds after configuring boot_order=0x2 in EEPROM settings. Raspberry Pi OS maintains full compatibility with all Raspberry Pi models from the original Model 1 (2012) to the 5 (2023), including ARMv6-based originals like the Pi 1 and through a 32-bit edition that compiles binaries for the older architecture. For legacy ARMv6 devices, a dedicated "Legacy" branch based on Buster provides ongoing support with the 5.10 until at least 2026, ensuring deprecated software and hardware features remain functional without requiring upgrades to newer models.

Technical architecture

Base distribution

Raspberry Pi OS is derived from , achieving full binary compatibility with the Debian stable release, and is available in both armhf (32-bit hard float) and arm64 (64-bit ) architectures to support a wide range of models. This compatibility allows seamless use of over 35,000 Debian packages via the APT package manager, ensuring that standard Debian software and tools function without modification on Raspberry Pi hardware. The package repositories follow Debian's organization into main (free software meeting Debian's guidelines), contrib (free software depending on non-free components), and non-free ( or restricted software) sections, configured in /etc/apt/sources.list. Additionally, a Raspberry Pi-specific repository at archive.raspberrypi.org/debian/ provides an overlay for hardware-optimized packages, including the raspberrypi-firmware package which delivers essential GPU , bootloader, and configuration tools. The default file system for Raspberry Pi OS installations is , formatted on the microSD card during imaging, providing robust journaling and performance suitable for general-purpose computing. For embedded or industrial applications requiring resilience against power loss, the system supports configuration of a read-only file system (rootfs) by remounting the partition read-only and using or overlays for writable directories like /var and /tmp. Raspberry Pi OS utilizes as its system, adopted starting with the Raspbian Jessie release in 2015 and fully integrated since the 2018 updates, with custom systemd services such as those in /lib/systemd/system/ for handling Raspberry Pi-specific hardware initialization like GPIO and clock setup. This setup enables parallel service startup and dependency management tailored to the platform's boot process. To facilitate efficient deployment, particularly in offline or resource-constrained environments, the minimal base installation (Raspberry Pi OS Lite) occupies under 2 GB of storage after initial expansion, excluding additional packages. APT supports offline package caching by downloading and storing .deb files in /var/cache/apt/archives/, allowing reuse without and cleanup via apt clean to reclaim space.

Kernel and drivers

Raspberry Pi OS in its Trixie release of October 2025 employs version 6.12, a branch that incorporates functionality for real-time applications through configurable full preemption. The kernel uses a custom (.config) tailored for hardware, enabling GPU support via the CONFIG_BCM_VIDEOCORE option and including loadable modules for key peripherals such as Ethernet (bcmgenet), USB controllers, and I2C/ interfaces. Graphics processing leverages the open-source Mesa vc4 driver for 3.1 compatibility on IV and VI GPUs, while hardware-accelerated video decoding utilizes the Video4Linux2 (V4L2) framework, supporting codecs like H.264 via stateful decoders and HEVC through stateless APIs. For the 5's VII GPU, graphics processing uses the open-source Mesa V3D driver, supporting 3.1 and . Kernel updates follow a rolling model, with stable releases delivered through the APT (sudo ) and experimental bleeding-edge versions available via the rpi-update tool, which also backports features for newer hardware like the 5's I/O controller to ensure compatibility with PCIe, , and GPIO expansions. For driver debugging, Raspberry Pi OS includes the raspi-gpio utility, which allows querying and modifying GPIO pin states, alternate functions, and pull-up/pull-down configurations directly from the command line to test hardware interactions.

Security features

Raspberry Pi OS emphasizes from the initial setup by prompting users to create a non-root user account with privileges and set a password during the first , which allows administrative tasks without direct access and adheres to the principle of least privilege. This approach, implemented since the Bullseye release in , eliminates default credentials to enhance security. To further secure remote access, Secure Shell (SSH) is disabled by default in Raspberry Pi OS, reducing the risk of exploitation from network-based attacks; it can be enabled manually through the raspi-config tool under the Interfacing Options menu or by placing an empty "ssh" file on the boot partition during installation. This configuration encourages users to explicitly opt into remote capabilities only when needed. The operating system supports automatic application of security patches through the unattended-upgrades package, a Debian-derived tool that downloads and installs updates for vulnerabilities without requiring manual intervention, though it must be installed and configured post-setup for full functionality. Additionally, Raspberry Pi OS inherits Debian's security infrastructure, including the ability to deploy AppArmor profiles for confining key services like web servers or databases, provided the kernel is compiled with AppArmor support—users may need to enable this via custom kernel builds for enhanced mandatory access control. For data protection, Raspberry Pi OS provides full disk encryption support via LUKS (), enabling users to encrypt the root filesystem and protect sensitive data at rest, with optimizations like the algorithm in the kernel to mitigate performance impacts on hardware. On and later models, secure boot is facilitated through the One-Time Programmable (OTP) memory, where up to 256 bits can store a device-specific private key to verify integrity and prevent tampering during startup. In the 2025 Trixie release, based on 13, Raspberry Pi OS incorporates the 6.12 kernel, which includes bolstered security enhancements such as improved cryptographic support and mitigation for common exploits, building on prior versions for greater overall resilience. collection, introduced in earlier releases for usage statistics, remains optional with clear mechanisms during installation via the Raspberry Pi Imager. Vulnerabilities are handled proactively, with the Raspberry Pi Foundation issuing Pi-specific advisories and patches for (CVEs) through their official blog, such as the 2016 fix for the bug affecting the . These updates ensure alignment with security teams while addressing hardware-unique issues, often released alongside firmware improvements. Regular CVEs in Pi OS components are tracked and resolved via standard apt updates. These measures integrate with kernel-level security modules, providing a layered defense that ties into the broader technical without relying on general installation procedures.

Versions and releases

Editions

Raspberry Pi OS is available in several editions tailored to different user needs and hardware capabilities, primarily distinguished by the inclusion of a (GUI) and additional software packages. The standard editions include Raspberry Pi OS with desktop and recommended software, commonly referred to as the "Full" edition, which provides a complete out-of-the-box experience with the PIXEL desktop environment, pre-installed applications such as , browser, and educational tools like and Sonic Pi, along with recommended extras for media servers and coding; this edition has a download size of approximately 1.9 for the 64-bit version. In contrast, the "Desktop" edition includes the and essential applications like the browser and but omits the broader set of recommended software to keep the footprint smaller, making it suitable for users who prefer a lighter graphical setup without extensive pre-installed tools. The "Lite" edition is a minimal, (CLI)-only variant designed for headless servers, embedded projects, or resource-constrained environments, excluding any GUI components and thus offering a download size of approximately 500 MB, which enables efficient operation on devices with limited storage or processing power. Raspberry Pi OS supports both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures to accommodate varying hardware compatibility. The 32-bit version ensures backward compatibility with older models like the Raspberry Pi 1, 2, and 3, which lack native 64-bit support, while also running on newer Pi 4 and 5 in a compatibility mode; however, it limits access to the full RAM on 64-bit capable hardware. The 64-bit version, recommended as the default for Raspberry Pi 4 and 5, delivers improved performance for memory-intensive tasks and better utilization of up to 8 GB RAM, with the Lite variant in 64-bit becoming officially available starting with the beta release in October 2021 to address demand for efficient headless 64-bit deployments. Additional variants cater to specific scenarios, such as legacy editions based on older releases like Bullseye or Buster, which support deprecated hardware or software requiring outdated libraries on models up to Pi 3. Recovery images provide a specialized tool for fixing issues on Pi 4 and 5 without a full OS reinstall, focusing solely on updates rather than a complete system. Users select editions during installation via the Raspberry Pi Imager tool, which offers options for 32-bit or 64-bit, Full, , or Lite configurations, and automatically detects the host operating system (Windows, , or macOS) for seamless downloading and writing to SD cards.

Release timeline

Raspberry Pi OS follows a release cycle aligned with , its upstream distribution, featuring major releases approximately every two years that incorporate the latest stable version, along with Raspberry Pi-specific optimizations and desktop enhancements. Buster in 2019 marked a transition to a more integrated port prior to the 2020 rebranding; the first major release under the Raspberry Pi OS name was Bullseye in 2021. The Buster release, based on Debian 10, was made available on June 25, 2019, ahead of Debian's official launch, introducing improvements in hardware acceleration and the PIXEL desktop environment. This was followed by Bullseye on October 30, 2021, built on Debian 11, which added support for the Raspberry Pi 400 keyboard computer and enhanced Wayland compatibility in later updates. Bookworm arrived on October 11, 2023, using Debian 12 as its base and featuring a default Wayland compositor (Wayfire) for improved graphical performance. The most recent major release, Trixie, launched on October 2, 2025, based on Debian 13, and includes an updated GTK theme, a new icon set, the Nunito Sans font, and a unified Control Centre application that consolidates settings from multiple prior tools. Between major releases, Raspberry Pi OS receives point releases with security patches, fixes, and minor feature updates, typically issued several times per year to align with Debian's branch maintenance. For instance, Bookworm saw a final point release on May 7, 2025, incorporating a customized screen locker, separated auto-login options for console and , and a standalone printer configuration app before the shift to Trixie. As of November 2025, Trixie has not yet received point releases, but they are expected to follow the established cycle for ongoing support. The installation process evolved significantly during this period; NOOBS, the original offline installer, was phased out in favor of Raspberry Pi Imager, released on March 5, 2020, which supports imaging SD cards offline and across multiple platforms while allowing custom OS selections. Support for each major version generally ends around two years after the subsequent Debian release, with security updates provided longer via long-term support (LTS) branches; for example, Buster received updates until June 2024, while Bullseye and later versions follow a similar pattern tied to Debian's five-year LTS cycle.
ReleaseDebian BaseRelease DateKey Notes
Buster10June 25, 2019Initial post-rebrand major version; focus.
Bullseye11October 30, 2021Raspberry Pi 400 support; preview.
Bookworm12October 11, 2023Default Wayfire compositor.
Trixie13October 2, 2025New Control Centre; refreshed theme.

Reception

Adoption and praise

Raspberry Pi OS has significantly impacted education worldwide, particularly in STEM programs. Through the Raspberry Pi Foundation's initiatives, including coding clubs, competitions, and online resources, the operating system powers learning experiences for millions of young people across more than 100 countries. It is integrated with tools like the BBC micro:bit, enabling seamless programming and hardware interaction in classroom projects, which has been praised for fostering computational thinking and digital skills in primary and secondary education. Examples include nationwide deployments in Malaysia's Sarawak state, where Raspberry Pi OS runs on devices in every primary school to support offline digital making, and pilot programs in Guatemala and Ecuador enhancing access to computing in resource-limited settings. Among hobbyists, Raspberry Pi OS remains the dominant choice, accounting for approximately 67% of all operating system images downloaded via the official Imager tool, reflecting its widespread adoption on over 67 million units shipped globally. It is frequently selected for projects due to its ease of use and compatibility with sensors and protocols, as highlighted in developer surveys emphasizing open-source platforms like Debian-based systems for applications. The system's popularity is evident in community-driven endeavors, such as and setups, underscoring its role as a top entry point for makers and tinkerers. Educators and industry observers endorse Raspberry Pi OS for its accessibility and reliability. Programs like Code Club, run by the , recommend it as the standard environment for teaching and to children aged 9-13, with resources tailored for hardware. On , it ranks highly among distributions, with user reviews praising its optimization for single-board computers and consistent updates. The 2025 release of Raspberry Pi OS "Trixie," based on 13, has received acclaim for enhanced stability and performance on the 5, including improved . Recent reviews as of November 2025 highlight positive feedback on features like the new Control Centre and updated themes, with general performance improvements noted, though some early users reported minor software compatibility issues. The active , encompassing forums with millions of engaged users and repositories receiving hundreds of pull requests annually, further bolsters its ecosystem through collaborative contributions and .

Controversies

In early 2021, an update to Raspberry Pi OS automatically added a APT repository for without explicit user notification or opt-out option, leading to widespread over implications and lack of from the . The repository's inclusion caused systems to contact during package updates, raising concerns about potential collection and user tracking, as well as fears of promoting in a traditionally valued for its open-source ethos. The incident prompted significant community backlash, with discussions on technology forums and news sites highlighting ethical issues around consent and monopoly influences from ; articles reported users expressing distrust and demanding clearer policies on third-party integrations. In response, the removed the repository from subsequent OS images and provided removal instructions via updates, though calls for a formal and pledges for greater persisted in coverage of the event. Criticisms have also targeted the Full edition of Raspberry Pi OS for its bloat, including pre-installed applications like office suites and media players that consume substantial storage and resources on low-power devices, prompting users to seek lighter alternatives or manual purges. The slow deprecation of 32-bit support has drawn further debate, as continued maintenance of the architecture—despite 64-bit hardware availability since the —delays performance optimizations and full ecosystem migration, with new features like screen sharing requiring 64-bit exclusivity. Privacy concerns extend to the default Chromium browser, which enables telemetry for usage statistics and crash reports unless manually disabled, fueling debates on in an OS aimed at educational and hobbyist users. This led to community advocacy for opt-in defaults by 2024, though specific changes in Raspberry Pi OS implementations remain limited.