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====== Initialization mode ======

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This special mode can be used to restore the device in cases such as: boot sector corruption, or flash of another OS than Unipi. This mode allows direct access to the eMMC storage via the **USB-C INIT connector**. On Edge variants without USB A ports, it can used to flash/backup the OS image.

===== Installing the rpiboot tool =====

To access the internal eMMC storage, you will need to install a utility called rpiboot.

  - For Windows users, install the [[https://github.com/raspberrypi/usbboot/raw/master/win32/rpiboot_setup.exe|rpiboot installer]].
  - For Mac & Linux users, follow the [[https://github.com/raspberrypi/usbboot?tab=readme-ov-file#building|build instructions]] and return to this page.

===== Connect internal eMMC as USB storage =====

  - Connect the USB-C cable to the INIT port on the Unipi Edge and to your computer, laptop or another Unipi controller (it is important that the USB cable provides both 5V power and data)
  - Press and hold the SERVICE (SVC) button, then connect 24 V DC power supply
  - Run 
    * Mac / Linux with root access <code>rpiboot -d /usr/share/rpiboot/mass-storage-gadget64</code> 
    * Windows - Find and run batch file named **rpiboot-CM4-CM5 - Mass Storage Gadget** in the "C:\Program Files (x86)\Raspberry Pi" directory
  - After these steps, the Unipi Edge eMMC storage becomes available as a mass-storage device, allowing you to write and backup the operating system directly in the eMMC.

===== See also =====
  * [[en:hw:004-edge:04-image:backup#backup_using_initialization_mode|Creating an OS backup using initialization mode]]
  * [[en:hw:004-edge:04-image:0-flash#restore_using_initialization_mode|Restoring from backup using initialization mode]]