Ubuntu 25.04 Installation on the Framework Laptop 12

First, download the latest Ubuntu 25.04 Desktop image from Ubuntu's website. We'll go through the steps in this Guide assuming you have a simple installation scenario of a fresh install on a blank drive.

Download balenaEtcher as a tool to create the USB installer from the ISO. balenaEtcher is available for MacOS. Install it.

Launch balenaEtcher. Insert your USB drive (8GB or larger). Click on "Flash from file" and select the ubuntu-25.04-desktop-amd64.iso that you downloaded. Click on "Select target" and choose your USB drive. Click "Flash" and wait a minute or two for it to complete.

Once the USB drive creation is complete, you can close balenaEtcher and eject the USB drive from your OS.

First, download the latest Ubuntu 25.04 LTS Desktop image from Ubuntu's website. We'll go through the steps in this Guide assuming you have a simple installation scenario of a fresh install on a blank drive.

New line.Download Rufus as a tool to create the USB installer from the ISO - select the top download option from the link provided. Rufus is available for Windows. Install it.

Launch Rufus. Insert your USB drive (8GB or larger). Click on "Flash from file" and select the ubuntu-25.04-desktop-amd64.iso that you downloaded. Click on "SELECT" and choose your USB drive. Click "START" and wait a minute or two for it to complete.

If you have secure boot enabled in BIOS, Ubuntu is going to ask you to check the box indicating YES on installing 3rd party drivers. This is expected behavior if you wish to have secure boot enabled. Enabling secure boot is completely optional and not necessary for normal operation, it's a personal choice. More about secure boot here.

Insert the USB drive into your powered off Framework Laptop 12, and then power on. If you have an existing OS installed on the Storage drive in your laptop, immediately after the power light comes on begin rapidly tapping (continuously ) the F12 key - you must begin tapping well before you see the Framework logo.

Select Linpus lite (General UDisk) with your arrow keys. Enter key.

Next, you will see a white box with Preparing Ubuntu. From there, you will be presented with the option to select your language.

Next option is to select your accessibility options. Then keyboard layout and your option for how you wish to connect to the Internet. We recommend you do at this stage.

Soon, you may be asked to "update your installer. Do so if connected to the internet. Close the installer, then open it again from the desktop on the lower right corner.

Go through the steps you did previously, then select your install type - most people will want interactive.

While connected to your network, select Normal installation, Download updates while installing Ubuntu and Install third party software, then press continue. This process may take a few minutes and appear to idle a bit, then the next screen appears - installation type.

Ubuntu 25.04 allows users to setup LUKS encryption.

This is optional, but will prevent the data from being viewed without the LUKS passphrase.

To use LUKS, select Encrypt with a passphrase. Click Next.

Think of a passphrase that is secure, but that you absolutely will never forget. Enter it once, then again in the confirmation text box. Click next.

DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPHRASE. If you lose this passphrase, you lose the data on the drive and you will need to format the drive and start over with a new installation.

Using LUKS is optional and is NOT required. Just select "No Encryption" to continue with setup without LUKS encryption if you prefer.

Next we’ll choose the installation type. Erase everything is the correct choice for users with a new DIY Framework Laptop 12 looking to use the entire hard drive for Ubuntu.

Press Install Now, then when prompted, then click on Continue.

Next you’ll be prompted to choose your location on the world map. Select your time zone location, click Continue.

Create a username, a computer name (anything will do), and a password to login with. Also make sure you select Require a password to log in. Then press Continue.

Once rebooted, simply follow the prompts for whether or not you are using Ubuntu Pro and if you wish to send back error reports.

Repeat this process with the other screens as seen in the provided images, while making selections and choices that best match your needs.

We're almost done. Please follow the link below for your Framework Laptop 12.

Click here for the completion guide for Framework Laptop 12.

Using Tablet Mode. Once you have setup tablet mode as outlined in the completion guide linked here for 25.05, follow the instructions provided.

Then to enable tablet mode, simply fold back the screen into tablet mode. It's that easy.

Our recommendations for Optimizing Ubuntu Battery Life. This includes important expansion card behavior.