Install HAOS on a Raspberry Pi 4 using a USB-connected SATA SSD for boot

Installation
1

Hello -
I have a HA install booting from SD card on a Rpi4. I want to migrate the installation to a USB-connected SATA drive.

My plan was to install HAOS on the drive, then restore from a backup of my SD card installation.

To rule out some hardware-level problems, I AM able to install and boot the Raspberry Pi OS from this USB-connected drive, using the Raspberry Pi Imager software.

When I install HAOS via the Imager, it appears successful, but I am unable to connect to the HA UI (browser times out). I have given it hours to set itself up, so that is not the issue.

I do not have a micro HDMI cable available, so I can’t check for boot progress that way.

FWIW I have tried a few other things… bit -by-bit copy of the SD card to the HD for instance. I have also run the RPi bootloader (firmware) update and made sure the boot sequence is USB first, then sd card. When I leave both the SD card and the HD connected, it ends up booting from the SD card. In that configuration, it throws an error regarding a “duplicate installation” or similar.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

2

Curious on this as well. Did you find out what is the issue?

3

Funny, I’m getting ready to do the same thing. I’m on the forum for advice on a recommended SSD.

Anyway - Have you changed the boot order? Search “raspberry pi 4 ssd boot without sd card”, there are several explanations.

I hear ya that the Raspberry OS worked but HA on the SSD may have to be on the first boot.

I’m searching for answers too, just haven’t bought a SSD yet.