How hard is it to get up and running?
About 10 minutes from start to earning. Download the image, flash it to a microSD card using free tools like Balena Etcher or Raspberry Pi Imager, plug it into your device, and open the dashboard from any browser on your home network. From there it's just point and click.
Do I need to know Linux or coding?
Not at all. Everything in PiLoader OS is managed through a simple web dashboard in your browser. No command line, no config files, no technical knowledge required — if you can use a website, you can run PiLoader OS.
Should I flash PiLoader OS to my existing SD card?
No — and we strongly recommend against it. Always flash PiLoader OS to a brand new SD card and keep your original SD card in a safe place. This way your stock firmware is always one SD card swap away if you ever want to go back. A good quality 32GB microSD card costs a few dollars and gives you a complete safety net with zero downside. Your original setup stays completely untouched.
Will it void my miner warranty?
Since you're flashing PiLoader OS to a separate SD card and not modifying anything on the hardware itself, your original setup stays completely intact. Your stock firmware is safe on its original SD card, your hardware is untouched, and there's nothing that would affect your manufacturer warranty. You're simply swapping which SD card is in the slot.
What happens when my trial ends?
Your earning modules are paused — no data, configuration, or identities are deleted. Your dashboard and settings remain fully accessible. Purchase a lifetime license and your miners restart automatically. Click "Check License Status" on the Settings page for instant reactivation, or they'll resume on their own within 15 minutes. Everything picks up right where you left off.
What does "all future modules included" mean?
We're constantly adding new earning modules to PiLoader OS. Every module we release after your purchase is automatically available to you at no extra charge — forever. Your one-time PiLoader OS license covers everything we ever build. No add-ons, no upgrades, no surprises.
Can I use one license on multiple devices?
Each PiLoader OS license is tied to a single device — every device has its own unique hardware fingerprint so your license is locked to that specific machine. If you ever swap hardware, each license includes one free transfer so you're never stuck. If you have multiple miners or Raspberry Pis, the Fleet Pack covers up to 5 devices under a single license key — perfect if you have a stack of idle hardware ready to put to work.
What happens if my device dies or I upgrade? Can I transfer my license?
Yes — every license includes free transfers for exactly this reason. Single licenses include one free transfer and Fleet Pack licenses include three. Transfers are handled directly from your dashboard with no support ticket required. If you ever find yourself in an unusual situation, reach out to us at support@piloader.com and we'll make it right.
How much can I actually earn?
Earnings vary by module, your internet connection, and crypto market conditions. We don't make specific earnings claims — crypto rewards fluctuate. What we can say is that running multiple modules simultaneously maximizes your chances of earning from your idle hardware. We recommend visiting each module's website to research current earning potential before deciding which ones to run — every project publishes their own stats and reward structures.
Does this replace Helium mining?
It depends on your hardware — here's exactly what to expect when you swap to the PiLoader OS SD card:
SenseCAP M1, RAK V2, MNTD Gold/Black, Nebra, Kerlink — Your Helium identity is stored on a hardware chip (ECC608) on the board itself, not on the SD card. Swapping to the PiLoader OS SD card has no effect on your Helium identity. Your hotspot comes back online with the same 3-word name, same on-chain history, and full PoC earning ability. And if you ever want to go back, just swap your original SD card back in.
Bobcat 300, RAK V1, MNTD V1, and DIY builds — These store their Helium identity on the SD card itself. When you swap to the PiLoader OS SD card, PiLoader OS will generate a new gateway identity. You'll need to re-onboard as a data-only hotspot via the Helium Wallet CLI (~$1 in Data Credits) and will earn data transfer rewards only — not PoC rewards. Your original SD card with your old identity is safe if you want to swap back.
Raspberry Pi (without a LoRa card) — The Helium module requires LoRa hardware and won't be available. You can still run all other earning modules.
