Ubuntu 26.04 elevates Arm64 to first-class status

Key Takeaways

• Ubuntu 26.04 now includes live kernel patching for Arm64 servers, matching x86 capabilities
• Canonical becomes Gold Sponsor of Trifecta Tech Foundation, doubling down on Rust-based system tools
• Arm64 packages moving to main Ubuntu archive servers signals architecture parity with x86

Canonical is treating Arm64 as a primary architecture in Ubuntu 26.04, not a secondary port. The company announced live kernel patching for Arm64 servers, native Steam packages using x86 emulation, and infrastructure changes that move Arm64 packages to the main Ubuntu download servers. These updates land as Arm server sales approach 50% of the datacenter market.

What changed for Arm64 in Ubuntu 26.04?

Ravi Kant Sharma, Canonical's engineering manager, detailed the changes in an Ubuntu Discourse post titled "Ubuntu on Arm summer '26 update." The headline feature: live kernel patching now works on Arm64 systems running Ubuntu 26.04 and Ubuntu Core 26. This capability previously existed only for x86.

Live kernel patching matters for servers. It lets administrators apply security patches without rebooting, which translates to better uptime SLAs. Desktop and laptop users rarely need this, but for enterprises running Arm64 workloads on AWS Graviton or Ampere Altra processors, it removes a barrier to adoption.

The technical infrastructure is changing too. Arm64 packages are moving from ports.ubuntu.com to the main archive.ubuntu.com servers. This sounds like housekeeping, but it means Arm64 packages will automatically propagate to Ubuntu's global mirror network. Previously, Arm64 sat alongside PowerPC, RISC-V, and IBM mainframe packages on a separate server.

The migration exposed bugs. Canonical found issues in cloudinit and had to modify its build pipeline scripts. These are the "bumps in the road" the company acknowledged.

Steam on Arm64 and the FEX emulation layer

Canonical released a native Arm64 snap package of Valve's Steam client in June. This matters because most games ship as x86 binaries. The package includes x86-32 and x86-64 binaries that run through FEX, an emulation layer comparable to Apple's Rosetta 2.

Valve has funded FEX development for years. The company needs it for the Steam Frame VR headset announced last year, which runs on Arm hardware. Ubuntu gets the side benefit of gaming support on Arm laptops.

Speaking of laptops, Ubuntu's Arm support now extends beyond Qualcomm SOCs. Canonical published a "Resolute Raccoon" concept image for CIX P1-based hardware. The CIX Technologies P1 chip received Linux kernel support a year ago and appears in Radxa single-board computers, Orange Pi devices, and even a Framework laptop motherboard.

Why is Canonical investing in Rust?

At the end of June, Canonical became a Gold Sponsor of the Trifecta Tech Foundation. This Dutch non-profit develops ntpd-rs, a Rust implementation of the Network Time Protocol daemon, and sudo-rs, a Rust rewrite of sudo. A bug in sudo-rs caused a security issue in Ubuntu 25.10 last year.

The sponsorship follows through on a promise from Jon Seager, Canonical's VP of Engineering, who said in April that Ubuntu would adopt ntpd-rs. The company is systematically replacing C-based system tools with Rust equivalents for memory safety.

This is not without friction. Ubuntu already uses Rust coreutils, and The Register notes a new bug affecting the Rust version of the cp command. The article cuts off before detailing the issue, but the pattern is clear: Canonical is pushing ahead despite the rough edges.

Trifecta Tech operates from the same address as Tweede Golf, a Netherlands-based Rust consultancy. The name means "second wave" in Dutch.

Chrome and Widevine DRM coming to Arm64 Linux

Google Chrome for Arm64 Linux is arriving with Widevine DRM support. This unlocks streaming services like Netflix and Spotify that require DRM. Firefox and other browsers can use Chrome's Widevine libraries, so the benefit extends beyond Chrome users.

The Register notes that more snap packages now support Arm64 as well. Three years ago, the publication reviewed a Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Gen1, finding Ubuntu significantly ahead of other Linux distributions on Arm hardware support. That gap remains.

What does this mean for IT planning?

The server case is straightforward. If you run Ubuntu on Graviton or Ampere instances, you now have parity with x86 on live patching. Test your deployment scripts against the main archive server migration.

The desktop case is murkier. Arm64 laptops like Framework's CIX P1 board or the ThinkPad X13s exist, but software compatibility remains uneven. FEX emulation works, but performance varies by application. Chrome with Widevine closes one gap. The Rust coreutils bugs suggest others remain.

Canonical is betting that Arm64 becomes a primary enterprise architecture, not an edge case. The 2026 updates suggest they expect CIOs to agree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ubuntu 26.04 support live kernel patching on Arm64?

Yes. Canonical announced live kernel patching for Arm64 systems running Ubuntu 26.04 and Ubuntu Core 26, matching the capability previously available only on x86.

Can I run Steam games on an Arm64 Ubuntu laptop?

Canonical released a native Arm64 snap package of Steam that uses FEX emulation to run x86 game binaries. Performance depends on the specific game and hardware.

What is the Trifecta Tech Foundation?

A Dutch non-profit developing Rust-based system tools including ntpd-rs and sudo-rs. Canonical became a Gold Sponsor in June 2026.

Are there known issues with Rust coreutils in Ubuntu?

Yes. The Register reported a bug affecting the Rust version of the cp command. Canonical is continuing Rust adoption despite these early issues.

Which Arm64 laptops does Ubuntu support?

Ubuntu supports Qualcomm-based laptops like the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s and now provides concept images for CIX P1-based hardware, including a Framework laptop motherboard.

Source: www.theregister.com