Bootloaders - Revision history

Ironswordx: Add the normal 32-bit EFI file name.

2026-03-18T17:32:38Z

Add the normal 32-bit EFI file name.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:32, 18 March 2026
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	</nowiki>}}		</nowiki>}}

	{{Note\| {{path\|bootx64.efi}} is only correct for <code>x86_64</code> systems. For other architectures, the exact name will vary.}}		{{Note\| {{path\|bootx64.efi}} is only correct for <code>x86_64</code> systems. {{path\|bootia32.efi}} is most commonly used on <code>x86</code> (32-bit) systems. For other architectures, the exact name will vary.}}

	== Troubleshooting ==		== Troubleshooting ==

Prabuanand: added limine and moved grub and refind as refind is still in testing repository as of 3.23

2026-02-12T04:14:34Z

added limine and moved grub and refind as refind is still in testing repository as of 3.23

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:14, 12 February 2026
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	The following bootloaders are available in Alpine Linux:-		The following bootloaders are available in Alpine Linux:-

	* <code>[[#Syslinux\|Syslinux]]</code> is the default lightweight bootloader used in Alpine Linux when booting the Alpine Installer ISO. It is also the bootloader when creating a Live USB/CD/ISOLinux/PXELinux. Supports the Filesystems: FAT12/16/32~~<br>~~		* <code>[[#Syslinux\|Syslinux]]</code> is the default lightweight bootloader used in Alpine Linux when booting the Alpine Installer ISO. It is also the bootloader when creating a Live USB/CD/ISOLinux/PXELinux. Supports the Filesystems: FAT12/16/32
	* <code>[[#Extlinux\|Extlinux]]</code> is the default lightweight bootloader used in Alpine Linux when Installing the Alpine OS to Disk via BIOS/Legacy Boot. Supports the Filesystems: EXT2/3/4, BTRFS, XFS<br>		* <code>[[#Extlinux\|Extlinux]]</code> is the default lightweight bootloader used in Alpine Linux when Installing the Alpine OS to Disk via BIOS/Legacy Boot. Supports the Filesystems: EXT2/3/4, BTRFS, XFS<br>
			* <code>[[#GRUB\|GRUB]]</code> is a standard Linux bootloader used in Alpine Linux when Installing the Alpine OS to Disk via UEFI.
			* <code>[[#Limine\|Limine]]</code> is a modern, advanced, portable, multiprotocol bootloader and boot manager.
			* <code>[[#EFI_Boot_Stub\|EFI Boot Stub]]</code> allows for booting Linux directly from a motherboard supporting ''UEFI'' or from another bootloader.
	* <code>[[#rEFInd\|rEFInd]]</code> is an easy-to-use ''EFI'' boot menu that allows booting different operating systems.<br>		* <code>[[#rEFInd\|rEFInd]]</code> is an easy-to-use ''EFI'' boot menu that allows booting different operating systems.<br>
	* <code>[[#GRUB\|GRUB]]</code> is a standard Linux bootloader used in Alpine Linux when Installing the Alpine OS to Disk via UEFI.<br>
	* <code>[[#EFI_Boot_Stub\|EFI Boot Stub]]</code> allows for booting Linux directly from a motherboard supporting ''UEFI'' or from another bootloader.<br>
	* [[UEFI Secure Boot]] uses {{pkg\|systemd-efistub}} or {{pkg\|stubbyboot-efistub}}.		* [[UEFI Secure Boot]] uses {{pkg\|systemd-efistub}} or {{pkg\|stubbyboot-efistub}}.

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	Boot001* ALPINE-SYSLINUX HD(1,GPT,xxxxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx)/FILE(\EFI\syslinux\syslinux.efi)		Boot001* ALPINE-SYSLINUX HD(1,GPT,xxxxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx)/FILE(\EFI\syslinux\syslinux.efi)
	</pre>		</pre>

	~~== rEFInd ==~~
	~~{{Main\|rEFInd}}~~

	~~[[rEFInd]] provides a graphical boot menu for [[UEFI]] systems.~~

	== GRUB ==		== GRUB ==
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	Consult [https://www.gnu.org/software/grub/manual/html_node/Simple-configuration.html gnu.org's online manual] for a list of available <code>grub-mkconfig</code> configuration options.		Consult [https://www.gnu.org/software/grub/manual/html_node/Simple-configuration.html gnu.org's online manual] for a list of available <code>grub-mkconfig</code> configuration options.

			== Limine ==

			[https://codeberg.org/Limine/Limine Limine] is a modern, advanced, portable, multiprotocol bootloader and boot manager, also used as the reference implementation for the Limine boot protocol. It supports partitioning schemes like MBR, GPT and Unpartitioned media.

	== EFI Boot Stub ==		== EFI Boot Stub ==
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	{{Note\| The loader and initrd file arguments are relative to the EFI partition. In a default installation, Alpine Linux places these files in {{path\|/boot/}}, while EFI is mounted to {{path\|/boot/efi/}}. You can either update <code>fstab</code> to mount EFI at {{path\|/boot/}}, or manually copy them to {{path\|/boot/efi/}}. }}		{{Note\| The loader and initrd file arguments are relative to the EFI partition. In a default installation, Alpine Linux places these files in {{path\|/boot/}}, while EFI is mounted to {{path\|/boot/efi/}}. You can either update <code>fstab</code> to mount EFI at {{path\|/boot/}}, or manually copy them to {{path\|/boot/efi/}}. }}

			== rEFInd ==
			{{Main\|rEFInd}}

			[[rEFInd]] provides a graphical boot menu for [[UEFI]] systems.
	== Using a UKI ==		== Using a UKI ==

Kenrmayfield at 23:12, 10 February 2026

2026-02-10T23:12:46Z

Prabuanand: fixed typo

2026-02-10T15:17:22Z

fixed typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:17, 10 February 2026
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	LINUX /vmlinuz-lts		LINUX /vmlinuz-lts
	INITRD /initrd-lts		INITRD /initrd-lts
	APPEND root=/dev/sda3 modules=sd-~~load~~,usb-storage,ext4 quiet		APPEND root=/dev/sda3 modules=sd-mod,usb-storage,ext4 quiet
	</nowiki>}}		</nowiki>}}

Prabuanand: added wikilink

2026-02-10T14:46:18Z

added wikilink

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:46, 10 February 2026
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	{{Note\| {{path\|bootx64.efi}} is only correct for <code>x86_64</code> systems. For other architectures, the exact name will vary.}}		{{Note\| {{path\|bootx64.efi}} is only correct for <code>x86_64</code> systems. For other architectures, the exact name will vary.}}

			== Troubleshooting ==

			Since bootloaders are installed only during [[System Disk Mode]], the errors related to them are documented in [[System Disk Mode#Troubleshooting\|that page]].

	== See also ==		== See also ==

John3-16: 1. Added paragraph (following listing of bootloaders): gummiboot is deprecated; 2. /* See also */ Added Silent boot, otherwise an orphaned page; amended link descriptions; and updated denx.de/wiki/U-Boot/ReleaseCycle to redirect: https://docs.u-boot.org/en/latest/develop/release_cycle.html; 4. Amended styles/grammar.

2026-01-17T17:37:01Z

1. Added paragraph (following listing of bootloaders): gummiboot is deprecated; 2. See also: Added Silent boot, otherwise an orphaned page; amended link descriptions; and updated denx.de/wiki/U-Boot/ReleaseCycle to redirect: https://docs.u-boot.org/en/latest/develop/release_cycle.html; 4. Amended styles/grammar.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:37, 17 January 2026
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	A [[#Using a UKI\|Unified Kernel Image (UKI)]] is additionally supported, available for UEFI only. It is a UEFI executable that can be useful in [https://uapi-group.org/specifications/specs/unified_kernel_image/ certain use cases], including secure boot, clouds and containers.		A [[#Using a UKI\|Unified Kernel Image (UKI)]] is additionally supported, available for UEFI only. It is a UEFI executable that can be useful in [https://uapi-group.org/specifications/specs/unified_kernel_image/ certain use cases], including secure boot, clouds and containers.

			Note that {{pkg\|gummiboot}} is a ''deprecated'' UEFI boot manager that was originally able to leverage UEFI firmware and detect bootable images such as Linux kernels that have an EFI stub on the EFI System Partition (ESP). The [https://cgit.freedesktop.org/gummiboot/ gummiboot project] was discontinued in 2015 and renamed as {{Pkg\|systemd-boot}} for systemd systems and is only available in Alpine Linux in the [[Repositories#Testing\|testing repository]]. As it had no runtime dependencies, '''gummiboot''' was appreciated for its simplicity as a lightweight, minimal UEFI boot solution. Its UEFI stub, {{pkg\|gummiboot-efistub}}, was used [[UEFI_Secure_Boot#Generating_Unified_Kernel_Image\|to generate a Unified Kernel Images (UKIs)]] e.g. for [[DM-verity]] and Secure Boot, but [[Release_Notes_for_Alpine_3.22.0#Secure_Boot_and_Gummiboot\|it has been deprecated since Alpine Linux 3.22]] and is no longer maintained; it has been replaced by '''systemd-efistub''' (note that the latter package [[UEFI_Secure_Boot#Generating_Unified_Kernel_Image\|only supplies EFI stub binaries]] and doesn’t depend on any systemd components).

	== Syslinux ==		== Syslinux ==
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	=== Using EFI with syslinux ===		=== Using EFI with syslinux ===

	The Alpine Linux installer automatically uses [[#GRUB\|GRUB]] if EFI mode is detected. The section below is specifically about using EFI with Syslinux:		The Alpine Linux installer automatically uses [[#GRUB\|GRUB]] if EFI mode is detected. The section below is specifically about using EFI with Syslinux.

	Assuming that {{path\|/mnt}} is a FAT32 partition of type EF00 and that {{path\|/boot}} belongs to the rootfs created after running <code>setup-disk</code>:		Assuming that {{path\|/mnt}} is a FAT32 partition of type EF00 and that {{path\|/boot}} belongs to the rootfs created after running <code>setup-disk</code>:
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	== See also ==		== See also ==
	* [[Enable Serial Console on Boot]]		* [[Enable Serial Console on Boot]]
	* [https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Bootloader Gentoo Wiki]		* [[Silent boot]]
	* [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Arch_boot_process#Boot_loader Archwiki]		* [https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Bootloader Gentoo Wiki - Bootloaders]
	* [https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Category:Bootloaders PostmarketOS Wiki]		* [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Arch_boot_process#Boot_loader Archwiki - Boot loader]
	* [https://~~www~~.~~denx~~.de/~~wiki~~/U-~~Boot/ReleaseCycle~~ U-Boot Release Cycle]		* [https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Category:Bootloaders PostmarketOS Wiki - Bootloaders]
			* [https://docs.u-boot.org/en/latest/develop/release_cycle.html u-boot.org docs - U-Boot Release Cycle]

	[[Category:Installation]]		[[Category:Installation]]
	[[Category:Booting]]		[[Category:Booting]]

Prabuanand: recently kernel and hence package name changed from {{Pkg|linux-edge}} to {{Pkg|linux-stable}}. Refer Kernels

2025-09-15T14:11:10Z

recently kernel and hence package name changed from {{Pkg|linux-edge}} to {{Pkg|linux-stable}}. Refer Kernels

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:11, 15 September 2025
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	</nowiki>}}		</nowiki>}}

	Where {{path\|/dev/sdXY}} contains the EFI partition and {{path\|/dev/sdXZ}} contains the root partition. If you are using {{Pkg\|linux-~~edge~~}}, then replace <code>lts</code> with <code>~~edge~~</code> in the script.		Where {{path\|/dev/sdXY}} contains the EFI partition and {{path\|/dev/sdXZ}} contains the root partition. If you are using {{Pkg\|linux-stable}}, then replace <code>lts</code> with <code>stable</code> in the script.

	{{Tip\|If you're modifying EFI records from a running system (e. g. migrating from GRUB), you can populate {{ic\|$params}} from {{ic\|/proc/cmdline}}. Make sure to append {{ic\|initrd}} param if it's missing since GRUB does not add it to the command line.}}		{{Tip\|If you're modifying EFI records from a running system (e. g. migrating from GRUB), you can populate {{ic\|$params}} from {{ic\|/proc/cmdline}}. Make sure to append {{ic\|initrd}} param if it's missing since GRUB does not add it to the command line.}}
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	Additionally, it is possible to install the UKI in the default fallback path used by most UEFI implementations. By installing the UKI into this path, the system will automatically boot into it if no other entries are defined. This can be automated as part of the kernel hook by adding the following to {{path\|/etc/kernel-hooks.d/secureboot.conf}} :		Additionally, it is possible to install the UKI in the default fallback path used by most UEFI implementations. By installing the UKI into this path, the system will automatically boot into it if no other entries are defined. This can be automated as part of the kernel hook by adding the following to {{path\|/etc/kernel-hooks.d/secureboot.conf}} :

	{{cat\|/etc/kernel-hooks.d/secureboot.conf\|<nowiki># For the ~~edge~~ kernel, install the UKI into the default UEFI path.		{{cat\|/etc/kernel-hooks.d/secureboot.conf\|<nowiki># For the stable kernel, install the UKI into the default UEFI path.
	if [ "$1" == "~~edge~~" ]; then		if [ "$1" == "stable" ]; then
	output_dir="/efi/EFI/Boot/"		output_dir="/efi/EFI/Boot/"
	output_name="bootx64.efi"		output_name="bootx64.efi"

Vegas at 12:47, 13 September 2025

2025-09-13T12:47:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:47, 13 September 2025
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	Where {{path\|/dev/sdXY}} contains the EFI partition and {{path\|/dev/sdXZ}} contains the root partition. If you are using {{Pkg\|linux-edge}}, then replace <code>lts</code> with <code>edge</code> in the script.		Where {{path\|/dev/sdXY}} contains the EFI partition and {{path\|/dev/sdXZ}} contains the root partition. If you are using {{Pkg\|linux-edge}}, then replace <code>lts</code> with <code>edge</code> in the script.

	{{Tip\|If you're modifying EFI records from a running system (e. g. migrating from GRUB), you can ~~use~~ {{ic\|~~cat~~ /proc/cmdline}} ~~to get current kernel params~~. Make sure to ~~add~~ {{ic\|initrd}} param if it's missing since GRUB does not add it to the command line.}}		{{Tip\|If you're modifying EFI records from a running system (e. g. migrating from GRUB), you can populate {{ic\|$params}} from {{ic\|/proc/cmdline}}. Make sure to append {{ic\|initrd}} param if it's missing since GRUB does not add it to the command line.}}

	{{Note\| The kernel contains the [https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/init/do_mounts.c#n254 exhaustive list] of ways to specify the block device. For a more robust boot entry, it is recommended to use a persistent name such as the PARTUUID.		{{Note\| The kernel contains the [https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/init/do_mounts.c#n254 exhaustive list] of ways to specify the block device. For a more robust boot entry, it is recommended to use a persistent name such as the PARTUUID.

Vegas at 12:46, 13 September 2025

2025-09-13T12:46:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:46, 13 September 2025
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	Where {{path\|/dev/sdXY}} contains the EFI partition and {{path\|/dev/sdXZ}} contains the root partition. If you are using {{Pkg\|linux-edge}}, then replace <code>lts</code> with <code>edge</code> in the script.		Where {{path\|/dev/sdXY}} contains the EFI partition and {{path\|/dev/sdXZ}} contains the root partition. If you are using {{Pkg\|linux-edge}}, then replace <code>lts</code> with <code>edge</code> in the script.

			{{Tip\|If you're modifying EFI records from a running system (e. g. migrating from GRUB), you can use {{ic\|cat /proc/cmdline}} to get current kernel params. Make sure to add {{ic\|initrd}} param if it's missing since GRUB does not add it to the command line.}}

	{{Note\| The kernel contains the [https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/init/do_mounts.c#n254 exhaustive list] of ways to specify the block device. For a more robust boot entry, it is recommended to use a persistent name such as the PARTUUID.		{{Note\| The kernel contains the [https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/init/do_mounts.c#n254 exhaustive list] of ways to specify the block device. For a more robust boot entry, it is recommended to use a persistent name such as the PARTUUID.

John3-16: 1. Added availability of Unified Kernel Image in the introductory paragraph; 2. Moved rEFInd section after Syslinux section to respect order of listing; 3. Added phrase to check what would be the local path for syslinux.efi; 4. Added upstream link for Unified Stream Image; 5. Style/grammar amendments

2025-08-29T02:05:02Z

1. Added availability of Unified Kernel Image in the introductory paragraph; 2. Moved rEFInd section after Syslinux section to respect order of listing; 3. Added phrase to check what would be the local path for syslinux.efi; 4. Added upstream link for Unified Stream Image; 5. Style/grammar amendments

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:47, 13 September 2025
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	Where {{path\|/dev/sdXY}} contains the EFI partition and {{path\|/dev/sdXZ}} contains the root partition. If you are using {{Pkg\|linux-edge}}, then replace <code>lts</code> with <code>edge</code> in the script.		Where {{path\|/dev/sdXY}} contains the EFI partition and {{path\|/dev/sdXZ}} contains the root partition. If you are using {{Pkg\|linux-edge}}, then replace <code>lts</code> with <code>edge</code> in the script.

	{{Tip\|If you're modifying EFI records from a running system (e. g. migrating from GRUB), you can ~~use~~ {{ic\|~~cat~~ /proc/cmdline}} ~~to get current kernel params~~. Make sure to ~~add~~ {{ic\|initrd}} param if it's missing since GRUB does not add it to the command line.}}		{{Tip\|If you're modifying EFI records from a running system (e. g. migrating from GRUB), you can populate {{ic\|$params}} from {{ic\|/proc/cmdline}}. Make sure to append {{ic\|initrd}} param if it's missing since GRUB does not add it to the command line.}}

	{{Note\| The kernel contains the [https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/init/do_mounts.c#n254 exhaustive list] of ways to specify the block device. For a more robust boot entry, it is recommended to use a persistent name such as the PARTUUID.		{{Note\| The kernel contains the [https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/init/do_mounts.c#n254 exhaustive list] of ways to specify the block device. For a more robust boot entry, it is recommended to use a persistent name such as the PARTUUID.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:46, 13 September 2025
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	Where {{path\|/dev/sdXY}} contains the EFI partition and {{path\|/dev/sdXZ}} contains the root partition. If you are using {{Pkg\|linux-edge}}, then replace <code>lts</code> with <code>edge</code> in the script.		Where {{path\|/dev/sdXY}} contains the EFI partition and {{path\|/dev/sdXZ}} contains the root partition. If you are using {{Pkg\|linux-edge}}, then replace <code>lts</code> with <code>edge</code> in the script.

			{{Tip\|If you're modifying EFI records from a running system (e. g. migrating from GRUB), you can use {{ic\|cat /proc/cmdline}} to get current kernel params. Make sure to add {{ic\|initrd}} param if it's missing since GRUB does not add it to the command line.}}

	{{Note\| The kernel contains the [https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/init/do_mounts.c#n254 exhaustive list] of ways to specify the block device. For a more robust boot entry, it is recommended to use a persistent name such as the PARTUUID.		{{Note\| The kernel contains the [https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/init/do_mounts.c#n254 exhaustive list] of ways to specify the block device. For a more robust boot entry, it is recommended to use a persistent name such as the PARTUUID.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:12, 10 February 2026
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	The following bootloaders are available in Alpine Linux:-		The following bootloaders are available in Alpine Linux:-

	* <code>[[#Syslinux\|Syslinux]]</code> is the default lightweight bootloader used in Alpine Linux.<br>		* <code>[[#Syslinux\|Syslinux]]</code> is the default lightweight bootloader used in Alpine Linux when booting the Alpine Installer ISO. It is also the bootloader when creating a Live USB/CD/ISOLinux/PXELinux. Supports the Filesystems: FAT12/16/32<br>
			* <code>[[#Extlinux\|Extlinux]]</code> is the default lightweight bootloader used in Alpine Linux when Installing the Alpine OS to Disk via BIOS/Legacy Boot. Supports the Filesystems: EXT2/3/4, BTRFS, XFS<br>
	* <code>[[#rEFInd\|rEFInd]]</code> is an easy-to-use ''EFI'' boot menu that allows booting different operating systems.<br>		* <code>[[#rEFInd\|rEFInd]]</code> is an easy-to-use ''EFI'' boot menu that allows booting different operating systems.<br>
	* <code>[[#GRUB\|GRUB]]</code> is a standard Linux bootloader.<br>		* <code>[[#GRUB\|GRUB]]</code> is a standard Linux bootloader used in Alpine Linux when Installing the Alpine OS to Disk via UEFI.<br>
	* <code>[[#EFI_Boot_Stub\|EFI Boot Stub]]</code> allows for booting Linux directly from a motherboard supporting ''UEFI'' or from another bootloader.<br>		* <code>[[#EFI_Boot_Stub\|EFI Boot Stub]]</code> allows for booting Linux directly from a motherboard supporting ''UEFI'' or from another bootloader.<br>
	* [[UEFI Secure Boot]] uses {{pkg\|systemd-efistub}} or {{pkg\|stubbyboot-efistub}}.		* [[UEFI Secure Boot]] uses {{pkg\|systemd-efistub}} or {{pkg\|stubbyboot-efistub}}.
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	Next, install the required Syslinux binaries. Despite being called <code>extlinux</code>, Syslinux supports booting from FAT12/16/32, NTFS, ext2/3/4, [[Btrfs\|btrfs]], XFS and UFS/FFS filesystems.		Next, install the required Syslinux binaries. Despite being called <code>extlinux</code>, Syslinux supports booting from FAT12/16/32, NTFS, ext2/3/4, [[Btrfs\|btrfs]], XFS and UFS/FFS filesystems.

	{{cmd\|# ~~extlinux~~ --install /boot}}		{{cmd\|# syslinux --install /boot}}

	The configuration file is located in {{path\|/boot/~~extlinux~~.~~conf~~}}.		The configuration file is located in {{path\|/boot/syslinux/syslinux.cfg}}.

	Alpine Linux ships with a script, <code>update-extlinux</code>, that automatically (re)generates this file, for example, on updates to Syslinux. The settings for this script can be found in {{path\|/etc/update-extlinux.conf}}, including the option to disable automatic overwriting of {{path\|/boot/extlinux.conf}}.		Alpine Linux ships with a script, <code>update-extlinux</code>, that automatically (re)generates this file, for example, on updates to Syslinux. The settings for this script can be found in {{path\|/etc/update-extlinux.conf}}, including the option to disable automatic overwriting of {{path\|/boot/extlinux.conf}}.

	You can also ~~place~~ additional menu entries in the {{path\|/~~etc~~/~~update-extlinux~~.d/}} ~~directory e.g. for dual booting.~~		You can also edit and add additional menu entries in the bootloader configuration file for dual booting multiple os's: {{path\|/boot/syslinux/syslinux.cfg}}

	=== Using EFI with syslinux ===		=== Using EFI with syslinux ===