khadas-vim3
Standard support
Desktop

Armbian 25.11.1

Kernel: 6.12.58, Size: 1.4 GB, Release date: Jan 21, 2026
SHA hash | PGP signature

Stable user space packages

In order to boot Armbian from VIM3 with pre-flashed OS on eMMC you need to:

  1. Download Khadas Rescue tool for VIM3 and flash it to a spare SD card
  2. Insert SD card, attach USB keyboard + monitor or a serial console and boot into Khadas Rescue Tool
  3. Choose: Advanced -> eMMC -> Fast erase and Advanced -> Erase SPI Flash (Yes). Go back and select "power off"

Now you can boot Armbian from SD card and install to eMMC the standard way.

Fast, verified download & flash (recommended)

Armbian Imager is a lightweight, native flashing tool that supports both selecting and downloading an Armbian image before flashing, as well as flashing an already downloaded image.


Server images with Armbian Linux v6.12

Build Date: Jan 21, 2026

Distro Variant Extensions Torrent Integrity Size
 
Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble) Server / CLI SHA    ASC 1.5 GB
 
* Server / CLI images comes with Network Manager and include packages like armbian-config, armbian-zsh etc.

Minimal/IOT images with Armbian Linux v6.12

Build Date: Jan 21, 2026

Distro Variant Extensions Torrent Integrity Size
 
Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble) Minimal / IOT SHA    ASC 324.3 MB
Debian 13 (Trixie) Minimal / IOT SHA    ASC 334.7 MB
 
* Minimal images have very small footprint. They come only with essential packages and build-in systemd-networkd. They are optimised for automation and production deployments.

Dedicated applications images with Armbian Linux v6.12

Build Date: Jan 21, 2026

Distro Application Torrent Integrity Size
 
Debian 12 (Bookworm) SHA    ASC 623.3 MB
Debian 12 (Bookworm) OpenMediaVault SHA    ASC 404.6 MB
Debian 12 (Bookworm) SHA    ASC 1.3 GB
Debian Testing (Sid) SHA    ASC 646.4 MB
 
* 3rd party unofficial applications deployment made with official Armbian build framework. Application support is not provided by Armbian team, but you are welcome to use our community forums for support.

Specifications

1000tx 1wire 4 core 4GB 64bit bluetooth docker eMMC i2c i2s m2 pci spi spi flash wireguard Amlogic S922X

* Specifications differ from hardware revision, model and software support level

FAQs

  • check previous images from archive
  • join community forums

Simple

BASH or ZSH shell, standard Debian/Ubuntu utilities. Features can be adjusted with menu-driven utility. Login is possible via serial, HDMI or SSH.

Universal

Minimal, server or Desktop. We work with XFCE, Gnome and Cinnamon but more is possible to build: Mate, KDE, Budgie, Deepin, i3, …

Light

No bloatware or spyware. Special utilities are completely optional. Suitable for newcomers and professionals.

Optimized

Distributed images are optimized for flash media (SD/eMMC/SSD) and compacted to real data size.

Fast

Armbian is optimized on kernel and userspace level. ZRAM & ZSWAP support, browser profile memory caching, garbage commit delay.

Secure

Security level can be adjusted with the armbian-config. OS is reviewed by professionals within the community.

Supported

Maintainers and community have deep understanding how HW work. We are seniors with 30+ years of experience in Linux + embedded Linux.

Open

Armbian provides open source build framework to build a distribution of optimised Linux hardware interface for armhf, aarch64 and x86.

We provide a selection of images that fits hardware best. If you need different image – use build framework and make whatever you need. Build framework relies on Debian and Ubuntu packages – you can build any combination – stable, old stable or rolling release.

Minimal images have very small footprint. They come only with essential packages and build-in systemd-networkd while CLI server images have Network Manager based networking, armbian-config utilities, option to select ZSH as default shell.

Make sure you have a good & reliable boot media (SD card / USB key) and a proper power supply. Archives can be flashed with Etcher (all OS) directly.

Insert the SD card into the slot, connect a cable to your network if possible or a display and power your board. (First) boot (with DHCP) takes a bit longer.

Support is provided in one of two ways: