Asahi Linux nears full support for Apple M3 series chips

The Asahi Linux project is nearing a major milestone in providing native Linux support for Apple’s M3 series chips, including M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max. Core driver code has been merged into the Linux 7.2 kernel cycle, meaning developers will no longer need to rely on manual third-party patches for basic CPU, memory scheduling, and graphics pipeline support.

Technical breakthroughs include the successful reverse engineering of Apple’s new ACE3 controller and SPMI (System Power Management Interface) bus, which were implemented in the M3 Pro and M3 Max models. This allows for high-speed data transfer via USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt protocols. Additionally, the team has addressed challenges regarding Apple’s updated audio technology to enable built-in microphones and has achieved hardware-level mapping for FaceTime webcams.

While the project is making progress on newer M4 and M5 chips—specifically regarding NVMe storage and PCIe—the M3 support is currently the most advanced. The team is now conducting compatibility testing, with plans to release a simplified one-click installer for general users in the coming weeks.