Canonical is now building official riscv64 desktop images for Ubuntu 26.10, featuring experimental GNOME and Xubuntu ISOs for testing on SpacemiT K3 hardware.
This opens a path for developers working with emerging desktop hardware, though snaps like the App Center are not yet RISC-V ready.
Experimental tests for Ubuntu 26.10
The first experimental builds of Ubuntu 26.10 are available for testing on specific hardware, specifically SpacemiT K3 boards. Interested parties can choose between two different builds: one with the basic GNOME environment and a lighter one with Xubuntu minimal.
According to Valentin Haudiquet, these releases are strictly experimental and do not yet come with official support. The final version of Ubuntu 26.10 is scheduled for release on October 15, 2026.
The importance of the lighter option and its limitations
When tested in emulators, loading GNOME can take up to 30 minutes, making the lighter Xubuntu option particularly useful. As part of this effort, Canonical has worked to add support for the new architecture to the Flutter library, which is used for apps and the operating system installer. However, some parts of the system, such as the application center, are not yet ready for the new architecture.
A beta version of the older long-term support version 26.04.1 has also been made available, with full support for these boards expected soon. The beta versions can be downloaded from the respective daily testing folders on Canonical's website.
Top comments (0)