Linux kernel may soon support USB 3 on Apple M1 and M2 Macs

The Asahi Linux project, which is working on Linux support for Apple Arm based Apple Silicon Macs, has developed USB 3 support for Apple M1 and M2 system on chips. That support has already been available within the Asahi Linux distribution, and the driver code has now been submitted for comments to the Linux kernel public inbox, a step that could lead to inclusion in the mainline kernel.

The current implementation omits support for DisplayPort and Thunderbolt alternate modes. The developer behind the driver wrote that ´there´s also some preparations to eventually enable DisplayPort AltMode and Thunderbolt but those need future work.´ The submission and developer comments make clear the driver is still a work in progress and that achieving full functionality has required contending with the behavior of the USB controller firmware. The team describes this implementation as the best solution they have been able to arrive at so far given those constraints.

Asahi Linux support is currently limited to the M1 and M2 series Apple Silicon devices. The project notes several hardware support items remain missing, specifically USB C displays, USB4 and Thunderbolt connectivity, and TouchID support. The driver submission marks progress toward broader hardware support on Apple Silicon under Linux, while also highlighting remaining gaps that will require further engineering and firmware work before feature parity is reached.