Fedora Asahi Remix 44: Everything You Need to Know for Apple Silicon Macs

Fedora Asahi Remix 44 has officially launched, bringing the full Fedora Linux 44 experience to Apple Silicon Macs. Developed in tight partnership with the Fedora Asahi Special Interest Group and the Asahi Linux project, this release marks a significant milestone for running Linux on M1 and M2 hardware. It not only incorporates all the improvements from Fedora 44 but also streamlines the software stack by retiring custom Mesa and virglrenderer packages in favor of upstream versions. Whether you’re a developer, a server administrator, or a desktop user, this remix offers tailored variants to suit your needs. Below, we answer the most common questions about this release.

What Exactly Is Fedora Asahi Remix 44?

Fedora Asahi Remix 44 is a specialized edition of Fedora Linux designed exclusively for Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M2 Ultra). It is the result of collaboration between the Fedora Asahi SIG and the Asahi Linux project, ensuring that the latest Fedora 44 features run smoothly on Apple’s custom ARM processors. The remix includes all the desktop and server variants available in standard Fedora, but with additional hardware enablement and optimizations. This release is notable for retiring the previously bundled Mesa and virglrenderer packages; existing installations will be automatically switched to the upstream versions provided by Fedora’s repositories, simplifying maintenance and improving compatibility.

Fedora Asahi Remix 44: Everything You Need to Know for Apple Silicon Macs — Source: fedoramagazine.org

What Are the Key Changes in This Release?

The most important change is the retirement of vendored Mesa and virglrenderer packages. Previously, Fedora Asahi Remix shipped its own versions of these graphics drivers to support the Apple GPU. As upstream Mesa and virglrenderer have matured and now support Apple Silicon, the Remix team has dropped their custom builds. Users upgrading from Remix 42 or 43 will be automatically transitioned — no manual steps required. Additionally, the release inherits all the improvements from Fedora Linux 44, including updated software, security patches, and performance enhancements. For new installations, the KDE Plasma variant adopts a new Plasma Setup wizard (replacing Calamares) and uses Plasma Login Manager as the default greeter instead of SDDM. GNOME and server variants remain unchanged in their setup process.

Which Desktop Environments Are Available?

Fedora Asahi Remix 44 offers multiple flavors to match different use cases. The flagship desktop is KDE Plasma 6.6, part of the Fedora KDE Plasma Desktop 44 edition. It provides a modern, customizable interface with the latest Plasma features. For those who prefer a different workflow, a GNOME 50 variant is also available, identical to what standard Fedora offers. Both desktops receive full support and updates. Beyond graphical interfaces, the Remix includes a Fedora Server variant for headless server deployments, as well as a Minimal image that lets you build your own system from scratch. This variety ensures you can pick the right foundation, whether you’re running a laptop, a desktop, or a server rack.

What’s New in the KDE Plasma Setup Process?

For new installations of the KDE Plasma variant, the setup experience has been overhauled. The old Calamares installer has been replaced by a Plasma Setup wizard, which is natively integrated with KDE Plasma. This change provides a more cohesive and visually consistent experience for creating user accounts and configuring the system. Additionally, the Plasma Login Manager (SDDM’s successor) now serves as the default greeter and session manager, offering better integration with Plasma’s theming and authentication. It is important to note that these changes only apply to fresh installations. If you are upgrading from Fedora Asahi Remix 42 or 43, your existing configuration and login manager will not be altered, ensuring a smooth transition without unexpected changes.

How Do I Install or Upgrade to Fedora Asahi Remix 44?

Installing from scratch is straightforward: follow the official installation guide on the Fedora documentation site. For those already running Fedora Asahi Remix 42 or 43, upgrading follows the standard Fedora process. You can use either KDE’s Plasma Discover graphical updater or the DNF system upgrade command-line tool. Note that upgrades via GNOME Software are not supported — you must use one of the two methods above. Before upgrading, ensure you have a backup of important data and sufficient disk space. After the upgrade, the transition to upstream Mesa and virglrenderer will happen automatically, so no additional steps are needed.

Where Can I Get Support or Report Issues?

If you encounter any problems specific to Fedora Asahi Remix, the team encourages you to report them via the issue tracker. For community help and discussions, you can join the Fedora Asahi Discourse forum or the Matrix room. These channels are monitored by developers and experienced users who can assist with installation, hardware compatibility, and configuration questions. When seeking help, provide details about your Mac model, the variant you are using, and any error messages you see. The community is active and friendly, aiming to make your experience with Linux on Apple Silicon as smooth as possible.

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