Google has announced that Chrome will finally be available for ARM64 Linux devices in Q2 2026. Until now, users of Ubuntu and other Linux distributions on ARM hardware, such as the Raspberry Pi or Snapdragon X Elite laptops, could only use Chromium, the open-source version of Chrome.
The long-awaited arrival of an official Google Chrome build on ARM64 Linux has been met with optimism, especially since ARM architecture is common in devices like Chromebooks, which have supported Chrome for a while. With this release, users can look forward to an experience that matches the stability and security provided on other platforms.
This addition allows access to features that were previously unavailable in Chromium, such as Google account syncing (removed from Chromium in 2021), Google Pay, enhanced Safe Browsing protections, and new integrations with Gemini AI. Chrome will also feature fresh enhancements like split view tabs, PDF annotation tools, and a ‘Save to Google Drive’ capability. The latest updates also include vertical tab support.
Furthermore, Google is collaborating with NVIDIA to ensure that Chrome will be accessible for its DGX Spark AI workstation, available through NVIDIA’s package manager. However, regular users won’t need to spend on such upscale hardware; the ARM build of Chrome will be downloadable in DEB or RPM formats from the official Chrome website.
This long-anticipated feature is seen as a win for users. It provides more choices for those running Linux on ARM devices, particularly for those needing Chrome for specific websites or services. While the Linux community has been mixed in its reception of Chrome, its popularity continues, having topped download charts across various Linux distributions in the past few years.
For more details, check the official announcement on the Chromium blog.