Linux 7.4 Adds Support for New Apple and Google Chips
The latest kernel release enables initial hardware support for Apple M4 and Google Tensor 5 processors.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Semiconductors
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The Linux 7.4 kernel has officially added support for several major processors, including Apple M4, Apple A18 Pro, and Google Tensor 5. This update also introduces broad support for various Qualcomm-based hardware and specialized gaming devices.
Why it matters
Kernel support for these processors ensures that Linux can run on current and future high-performance silicon, critical for maintaining open-source compatibility across diverse computing architectures.
Linux 7.4 enables hardware support by merging specific SoC patches and integrating new Device Trees, which define system hardware topology. Apple M4 enablement is currently limited to basic functionality, allowing users to boot the kernel and display a console.
The players
Linux Kernel
The open-source monolithic operating system kernel that manages hardware-software interactions for the majority of the world's computing infrastructure.
Apple
A designer of high-performance silicon, including the M4 and A18 Pro lines, centered on a proprietary ARM-based architecture.
Qualcomm
A developer of mobile and embedded processors, including the Dragonwing series and the newly identified Hawi and Nord SoCs.
A provider of computing services and developer of the Tensor series of SoCs used in its mobile hardware portfolio.
The details
The kernel update incorporates architectural support for modern SoCs by defining the necessary memory maps and hardware-specific configurations through Device Trees — text files that describe hardware components to the operating system. While the kernel now recognizes Apple M4, A18 Pro, and Tensor 5 chips, functionality remains in the early stages, focusing on foundational booting and low-level communication. Additionally, the kernel team has deferred the removal of legacy 32-bit ARM code until at least version 7.5.
Timeline
Linux 7.4 was released on October 27, 2026.
Linux 7.5 is potentially slated for release in 2027.
The Tech Race
Linux 7.4 keeps pace with the rapid release cycle of mobile and desktop silicon by integrating support for M4 and Tensor 5 chips immediately following their market introduction. This update also signals a continued focus on handheld gaming hardware, expanding the ecosystem beyond standard consumer mobile devices.
Users of high-end Apple hardware, Google Tensor devices, and various Qualcomm-based gaming portables will eventually benefit from better Linux compatibility as these drivers mature. Current M4 support is limited to console-level access, meaning a functional desktop experience remains in development.
The takeaway
Linux 7.4 prioritizes modern chip support while keeping legacy ARM support active for another cycle. Readers should track the Linux kernel development mailing list for updates on the stability of M4 and Tensor 5 drivers in future minor version releases.
What happens next
The community is currently monitoring the potential release of Linux 7.5 in 2027, which will be the next opportunity to revisit the removal of 32-bit ARM support.
Further reading
For broader trends in chip-level compatibility, visit the Semiconductors section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Phoronix.
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