Asahi Linux now supports Macs with Apple’s M3 processors. Much of the hardware already works under Linux, but features such as GPU acceleration, sleep mode, and HDMI do not yet function.
Support applies to the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max. The M3 Ultra in the Mac Studio is not yet supported. Asahi Linux has already added the necessary changes to its installer, according to The Register.
Many components that the project previously got working on M1 and M2 systems also function with the M3. This includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, the webcam, and internal microphones. Hardware-accelerated video decoding also works, including AV1.
GPU not yet supported
One key missing feature is hardware acceleration via the GPU. As a result, the current support is primarily suitable for a 2D desktop. Performance is still insufficient for more graphics-intensive applications. The Asahi team is working on an M3 version of its graphics support, with differences between this chip and earlier Apple processors requiring additional work.
Display Co-Processor (DCP) support is also still missing. This has several consequences: The HDMI port on MacBooks equipped with it is disabled, and sleep mode does not yet work. Full DCP support should eventually eliminate both of these limitations.
Initially for experienced users only
Although the M3 code is included in the installer, installation is currently only possible via Expert mode. To do this, the installer must be launched with the command EXPERT=1. Asahi Linux aims to remove this restriction before the Fedora Linux 45 beta is released, provided no major issues arise during testing.
Asahi Linux is focused on making Linux compatible with Macs featuring Apple’s own processors. This requires a great deal of reverse engineering, as Apple does not publish all the technical details necessary for other operating systems to fully interoperate with the hardware. The work on the M3 can also serve as a foundation for supporting newer generations of Apple Silicon.