Google plans to launch a native version of Chrome for Linux devices running on Arm processors in the second quarter of 2026. Until now, users had to rely on Chromium or workaround solutions to get Chrome on Arm-powered Linux machines, despite Chrome availability for Arm Macs since 2020 and Windows on Arm since 2024. This move reflects the growing interest in merging the open-source Chromium experience with Google’s broader ecosystem on an emerging hardware platform.
Linux on consumer desktops traditionally favors x86 chips from Intel and AMD, which dominate laptops from brands like Dell and Lenovo. While Linux thrives on Android devices powered by Arm, conventional Linux distributions on Arm hardware remain niche, mostly found in specialized or enterprise systems. Google’s update signals that Arm processors could become more competitive in mainstream Linux setups, especially as Qualcomm, Nvidia, and MediaTek push their PC-grade Arm chips targeting markets beyond Windows.
Nvidia, in particular, seems poised to expand Arm usage on Linux, with upcoming releases of its N1 and N1X Arm laptop processors expected to be announced at GTC 2026. Google’s mention of the Nvidia DGX Spark micro AI desktop, a premium $4,000+ Linux-on-Arm system sold through multiple partners, underlines Chrome’s relevance for high-performance computing on Arm Linux. To simplify installation on these advanced setups, Google will distribute Chrome via Nvidia’s package manager, whereas other users will download it directly through Google’s website.
Google Chrome native support for Arm Linux devices
Google’s announcement hints at a potential shift as Arm chips strive to carve out a larger slice of the Linux space currently dominated by x86 architectures. With native Chrome support, Linux users on Arm devices will gain smoother browsing experiences, along with better integration of Google services. This could accelerate the adoption of Arm-powered Linux laptops and desktops in the coming years.