ASAHI Linux for Apple Silicon is released for a general public. This is the first Linux distribution, which offers built-in support for Apple M1 chips. Since this is an alpha version, keep in mind that it is easy to stumble upon errors and some important missing functions. However, now that this important milestone is passed, "everything will move even faster," promises the ASAHI Linux developer team.

Asahi is not just "beer". This Japanese word means "morning sun", so this is a completely appropriate name for the innovative Linux distribution for Apple Mac computers with the M1 processor. "We are very happy to finally make this step and start providing Linux on Apple Silicon to all," the developers team wrote in their blog. It is important to note that to install ASAHI Linux your Mac does not require a hacked device. In addition, it will not affect the security level of your MacOS installation, so Mac functions such as FileVault, the launch of iOS applications and view NetFlix in 4K can continue to work.

Although the team shared a list of system requirements, installation and list guidelines (not) compatible functions, this alpha release is intended primarily "for developers and experienced users." In other words, "expect that everything will be slightly rude," the developers frankly recognize.

To use Asahi Linux Alpha Currently, you will need a M1, M1 Pro or M1 M1 computer (with the exception of Mac Studio) with MacOS 12.3 or later and at least 53 GB of free space for installation on the desktop. After starting the installer, which will offer you to perform tasks such as changing the size of the MacOS partition (if necessary) and install the new OS, you will get access to the desktop ASAHI Linux. A description is a "Custom Arch Linux ARM remix that comes with a full Plasma desktop and all the basic packages so that you can start working with the desktop environment." In addition, it includes the installation wizard to prepare your system. There are also installation options only for the minimum version of ASAHI Linux and UEFI environments (so you can download the OS installer from the USB drive). By default, the installation sets the double boot mode, so you can return to MacOS at your discretion.

Clearly, and considering the big red developer flag, there are some significant drawbacks with ASAHI Linux Alpha. There are a large number of Mac I / O devices and hardware functions that do not yet work, and most important of them are:

However, the above is balanced by the excellent work of developers aimed at ensuring that this Linux distribution work with support for main functions such as Wi-Fi, USB, NVME, screen, power, keyboard, Ethernet (desktop computers), battery information and Much more.

Some applications also have problems with this alpha version of the OS. For example, Chromium does not work, and Emacs has problems. However, the correction is already in development, and other applications using Jelloc and LibunWind will not work correctly in this initial alpha release.

For more information about Asahi Linux Alpha, installation notes and frequently asked questions, visit the blog entry, where you will find a lot of help and additional information. Also, it is necessary to follow the official Asahi Linux account on Twitter, which will keep you up to date with all fixes and functions as they are released.

Link to Twitter Asahi Linux:

Official website: