Installing Home Assistant
The first step to using Home Assistant is to install it on your device. This chapter provides multiple installation methods for users to choose from.
Image, installation package and related materials download:
- Baidu Netdisk Download
Baidu Netdisk link: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1g069bvqYN0xQDPcXTzelaA?pwd=WPKJ
Extraction code: WPKJ
- QQ Group File Download
WalnutPi Open Source Support Group: 677173708
Forward the group files to your own device or another QQ account in the group for high-speed downloads.
DIY with WalnutPi Development Board
WalnutPi is a mini, low-cost single-board computer. For users who have already purchased WalnutPi 1B or other Linux development boards, you can install Home Assistant on your WalnutPi system.
Using Image Installation
WalnutPi officially provides images pre-installed with Home Assistant, fully adapted for all WalnutPi Linux development boards. Simply flash the image and power on to get started. Refer to the System Image Flashing section for flashing methods.
The WalnutPi 1B 2G/4G RAM version can use the Home Assistant Desktop or Server edition image; the 1G version has limited memory and can only use the Home Assistant Server edition image. It is recommended to use the 2G/4G version — having a desktop environment makes initial configuration easier for beginners.
Using Package Installation
For users who are already using WalnutPi and want to keep their existing operating system and configuration, you can install using the official WalnutPi installation package. This primarily involves installing Docker and the Home Assistant image. Ensure your device is connected to the internet during the installation process.
Copy the installation package from the materials to your WalnutPi using a USB drive:
After copying, open a terminal inside the installation package folder on the WalnutPi development board:
Installing Docker
Extract the Docker installation package:
unzip docker-ce_25.zip
Enter the folder:
cd docker-ce_25
Install all packages:
sudo apt install -y ./*
Installing Home Assistant
Install prerequisite software:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install apparmor cifs-utils curl dbus jq libglib2.0-bin lsb-release network-manager nfs-common systemd-journal-remote systemd-resolved udisks2 wget -y
Reboot, because the systemd-resolved package modifies network configuration during installation:
sudo reboot
After the reboot, open the installation package folder again and open a terminal in the homeassistant offline installation package directory:
Use the following command to install. The filename may vary by version (you can type the first few characters and use Tab to auto-complete):
sudo apt install ./homeassistant-supervised-offline_20240311_arm64.deb
The installation process takes approximately 20 minutes.
- Install Home Assistant LED Status Indicator (Optional)
After installation, the blue LED on the WalnutPi board will blink during startup and remain solid once Home Assistant is ready, making it easy to observe the Home Assistant host's working status. Users who need this can install it.
Installation command:
sudo apt install ./hass-status-led.deb
- Install Long-Press Button Shutdown Function (Optional)
After installation, press and hold the button on the WalnutPi 1B for 6 seconds — the LED will blink and the development board will perform a safe shutdown. Since directly cutting power may cause data loss, users who need this can install it.
Installation command:
sudo apt install ./powerdown-key_walnutpi1b.deb
After installation, be sure to reboot the WalnutPi development board:
sudo reboot
When using Home Assistant on the WalnutPi Desktop Edition system, you need to close the BlueMan Bluetooth application and disable it from starting at boot. This application conflicts with Home Assistant's Bluetooth calls, causing continuous memory leaks. (This operation is required for manual installation; Home Assistant images have this disabled by default at the factory.)
After installation is complete, proceed to the next section for initial configuration.