Process for Upgrading RPI4 -> RPI4 with more RAM

Installation
1

I’m looking to upgrade my setup, which is a RPI4 with 2GB of RAM to a new RPI4 with 8GB of RAM (I’ve been running some media on it and struggling with some InfluxDB memory issues that I’m hoping to bring this in as a stopgap measure for while I migrate to a InfluxDB cloud).

I know that when you upgrade from an RPI3 → RPI4 or RPI4 → RPI5, you can’t just swap the memory card because the base image is different for RPI 3, 4 and 5. But if I’m upgrading from an RPI4 to another RPI4, can I just swap the SD card?

2

SD cards are cheap, why not install a new HAOS and restore from backup? That way if it goes horribly wrong you still have a working system. A new SD card potentially reduces the chance of future failure. I’d also take the opportunity to upgrade to a larger SD card or better still a SSD.

Apart from saving you a little bit of time and money for me the risks outweigh the benefit.

In theory can’t see an issue though.

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3

Yes. There is only one image for the Pi4.
https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/raspberrypi#downloading-the-home-assistant-image

Screenshot 2024-09-07 at 09-25-43 Raspberry Pi - Home Assistant
Screenshot 2024-09-07 at 09-25-43 Raspberry Pi - Home Assistant873×325 13.2 KB

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4

Great point. I’ll do that. I actually already have an SSD for everything but HAOS. I thought you needed an SD card for that, no?

5

On this topic of upgrading to Rpi 5,

I’m running HA on an Rpi 4, Argon one m.2 NVME with 256 SSD. Works quite well and am actually happy. Nevertheless I’d like to upgrade to RPi 5 with Argon NEO and 256 SDD.

Could it be as simple as just switching the hardware and just restarting or am I better off starting with a clean image and restoring from backup and then adding the peripherals like zigbee and z-wave dongle?

6

No.

There is a separate image for the pi5, you will need to install that and restore a full backup from the pi4.

You may have to edit your zigbee config to find the adapter in the new system but you should not need to re-pair your devices.

1 Like
7

Thanks @tom_l for your quick response and valuable answer. I’ll have to buy a new SSD then. I won’t be able to wipe my existing one comfortably.

I’ll also make a backup of the zigbee configuration then.

:pray:

8

I’ve got no idea about moving zwave. I have not used it for a long time. Hopefully someone else can tell you about that (or try searching the forum).

9

Part of my Z-wave runs through a separate system and gets pulled through MQTT to HA so that should be quite easy and straight forward. The Dongle that I have only serves 5 z-wave fire detectors so that would not be the worse to get those setup again should I run in to difficulty with that. When I get around to it I’ll drop my experience here.