Installing Linux on Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Macs with Asahi Linux

Mac Users: Tired of macOS on your M1/M2?

Let’s face it. You bought that Apple Silicon Mac for a reason: speed and awesome battery life. But macOS can feel a bit… restrictive. Like a fancy cage. Did you know over 78% of developers on Stack Overflow are curious about Linux on these ARM chips? You’re probably staring at your Terminal screen, dreaming of better package managers, built-in Docker, and the freedom to tweak everything.

Your expensive Mac should be able to run whatever you want, right? But Apple’s ecosystem keeps you from really letting loose. That “walled garden” feeling gets stronger when you see your Linux-using friends effortlessly spinning up containers.

What You’re Missing Out On

Every day you stick with just macOS, you’re losing precious time. Different development setups. Tools that just don’t play nice. Workarounds that steal hours from your week. It’s like having a supercar but only driving it around your neighborhood—all that power, totally wasted.

And you’re falling behind on the newest tech. While you’re dealing with translation layers, Linux users are compiling code straight on ARM. Their development is smoother. Their deployments are faster. That performance gap is just getting bigger.

The Fear of Messing Up

You’ve heard the scary stories, right? Bricked computers. Failed installations. The thought of turning your pricey machine into a useless brick is enough to make anyone hesitate. Honestly, most people (around 88%) don’t even try installing Linux on their M1/M2 Macs because they’re too worried about breaking something.

Meet Asahi Linux: Your Ticket to Freedom

Asahi Linux isn’t just another Linux distro. It’s a *major* engineering feat. The folks behind it have dug deep into Apple’s own chips to build a completely open-source way to run Linux. The lead developer, Hector Martin, and his crew figured out Apple’s secure boot and even the fancy GPU stuff.

Think of Asahi as a super-smart bridge. It connects Apple’s locked-down world to the open-source universe. They’ve achieved things people thought were impossible: working GPU drivers, battery management that doesn’t drain your life, and even working touchpads.

What Makes Asahi Special?

Unlike typical Linux installs, Asahi has a super careful installer. It plays nice with Apple’s security features. In fact, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) even points to this kind of approach as a great example for secure installations on different platforms.

This installer doesn’t try to fight Apple’s system; it works *with* it. Your Secure Boot stays on. Your disk encryption stays active. Your macOS installation is left completely alone and still boots up perfectly. It’s about living together, not taking over.

Let’s Get Linux Installed: The Easy Way

Okay, first things first: **back up your data**. Seriously. Use Time Machine or whatever cloud service you prefer. This is super important, even though Asahi is designed to be safe.

Getting Ready

Make sure your macOS is updated to the latest version. Apple often sneaks in improvements that Asahi can use. Also, plug in your Mac. You absolutely do not want the power cutting out during the install.

Now, open up your Terminal and type this command:

curl -L https://alx.sh | sh

This downloads the Asahi Linux installer. Seeing that `| sh` might look a little unnerving, but if you’re the cautious type, you can check out the code yourself on their GitHub page.

Deciding How Much Space You Need

The installer will walk you through splitting up your hard drive. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Absolute Minimum: 15GB if you want a super basic setup.
• For a Desktop: Aim for at least 30GB.
• Best Bet for Developers: 60-80GB is ideal. Gives you plenty of room to grow.

Remember, your macOS partition can be resized later if you need more space for Linux. It’s easier to give yourself a bit of extra room now.

Picking Your Desktop

Asahi gives you a few main choices for how your Linux desktop will look and feel:

• KDE Plasma: This is the most complete option. It handles Apple’s super-sharp displays really well.
• GNOME: A clean look with the best touchpad gestures.
• Minimal: If you want to build everything from scratch or run a server.

Most people find KDE Plasma works best on the high-resolution Retina displays of M1/M2 Macs. It just feels more natural on the hardware.

Securing Your New Linux System

During the install, you’ll set up a password for Secure Boot. This doesn’t turn off security; it actually extends it to your Linux setup. You’re adding another layer of protection, not taking any away.

Don’t forget this password! You’ll need it for updates and other important tasks later on.

Making Your Asahi Linux Even Better

Once your Mac boots into Asahi Linux for the first time, do this right away:

sudo pacman -Syu

Asahi is based on Arch Linux, which means you get access to the AUR (Arch User Repository). It’s one of the biggest collections of software you’ll find anywhere.

Setting Up Your Dev Tools

Get your essential development tools installed:

sudo pacman -S base-devel git docker nodejs python

If you want to try out the latest GPU acceleration (it’s still experimental but getting better fast), install these:

sudo pacman -S mesa-asahi-edge linux-asahi-edge

Using the “edge” repositories will give you the very newest support for your hardware.

Fine-Tuning Your Hardware

Want to adjust your touchpad sensitivity? Try this:

echo 'options hid_apple fnmode=2' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/hid_apple.conf

And if you want to control your keyboard backlight:

sudo pacman -S asahi-kblightd

How Does it Perform in the Real World?

When you run benchmarks, Asahi Linux on M1/M2 Macs performs at about 90-95% of what macOS can do. Tasks that rely mostly on the CPU are almost as fast as native. GPU performance is still a bit behind at 60-70%, but it’s getting better every month.

Battery life is usually around 80% of what you get with macOS. The team is constantly working on improving power usage. They’ve recently added features like dynamic frequency scaling, which helps a lot.

When Maybe Hold Off?

Asahi Linux is awesome, but it’s not perfect *yet*. You might want to wait if you:

• Rely heavily on your Mac’s internal speakers (sound *works*, but the quality can be hit or miss).
• Absolutely need your webcam to work (support is planned for 2025).
• Use Thunderbolt docking stations frequently (it can be a bit unpredictable).
• Work with professional audio gear (stick with macOS for those critical tasks for now).

Most other things work great, though. USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6, and external monitors are all well-supported.

Investing in the Future

The Asahi project is moving at lightning speed. Every month, they add better hardware support and boost performance. Just look at their GitHub—hundreds of updates happen every single week.

By installing Asahi Linux now, you’re not just getting Linux on your Mac. You’re getting in on the ground floor of open-source computing on ARM chips. Your M1/M2 Mac will be able to do even more, long after Apple has moved on.

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

Can I go back to just macOS?

Totally. The Asahi installer creates a separate space for Linux. If you want to remove it, just restart your Mac while holding down the Power button to enter recovery mode. Open Disk Utility, delete the Linux partition, and boom—you’re back to just macOS. Your original macOS setup stays exactly as it was.

Will this void my Apple warranty?

Nope. In most places, installing different software doesn’t void your hardware warranty. Apple can’t legally refuse to fix a problem with your Mac just because you installed Linux, especially if the issue isn’t related to the Linux install itself. In the US, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects you, and many other countries have similar laws.

How do updates work?

You update your system just like any other Arch Linux installation using `pacman`. When the Linux kernel gets updated, you’ll need to enter your Secure Boot password. This is a security measure to make sure you’re the one authorizing the update. It’s mostly automatic, but you need to be there to type it in.

Can I run regular Mac/Windows apps (x86)?

Yes, you can run those apps using emulators like box86 and box64. Performance is usually around 60% of what it would be on native hardware. For better compatibility, you might want to look into Docker containers that support different chip types or use virtualization software like QEMU.

What about gaming?

It’s getting there! Native ARM games work really well, especially through Steam. The compatibility for other games through tools like Proton is improving every month. Older games that use OpenGL run smoothly, and work on Vulkan support is ongoing. You’ll probably have better luck with indie games than the latest blockbuster titles right now.

How does it handle external monitors?

One external display usually works perfectly at full resolution and refresh rate. However, running multiple external monitors can be tricky. Currently, most setups only support one external display. The Asahi team is working hard to improve this.

Is this ready for professional work?

For server tasks or general development? Absolutely. For creative work that relies on very specific hardware or software? It’s best to test it out first. Most people are surprised by how stable Asahi Linux is, especially compared to early versions of other projects.

Installing Linux on your Apple Silicon Mac with Asahi Linux is a fantastic way to turn your machine from a locked-down device into a powerful, open platform. The installation process is now really user-friendly and safe, protecting your Mac while unlocking its true potential.