Google Ships Official Chrome Arm64 for Linux With Native DRM
The long-awaited native build lands quietly in repositories, bringing Widevine and account sync to Raspberry Pi and Snapdragon devices.
Google has quietly released official Arm64 builds of Chrome for Linux, ending years of workarounds for users on Raspberry Pi, Snapdragon laptops, and other Arm-based hardware. The browser appeared in Google's Debian and RPM repositories in late July 2026 without a formal announcement on the main Chrome download page.
Native Widevine, No Scripts Required
The release includes native Widevine DRM support, with the WidevineCdm module located at `/opt/google/chrome/WidevineCdm/_platform_specific/linux_arm64/`. Previously, Arm64 Linux users outside ChromeOS had to extract Widevine binaries from ChromeOS using community scripts to access protected streaming content on services like Netflix.
According to OMG! Ubuntu, the implementation provides native DRM functionality at the "Software Secure" (L3) security level. This limits DRM-protected content to 720p-1080p resolution, excluding 4K and HDR playback—a constraint consistent with Linux DRM limitations on x86 architecture as well.
Full Google Ecosystem Support
The Arm64 build supports complete Google account sync, including bookmarks, passwords, and extensions. This marks a significant upgrade from Chromium, the open-source base browser, which lacks proprietary Google features. The initial release ships as version 150.0.7871.186 on the stable channel.
OMG! Ubuntu reported 2K YouTube playback ran smoothly on Raspberry Pi 5, though the publication noted this as a subjective observation that may vary based on system configuration.
A Promise Delivered
The release fulfills Google's March 2026 commitment. A Google blog post titled "Bringing Chrome to ARM64 Linux Devices" announced a Q2 2026 delivery timeline for native Arm64 Linux builds.
Why This Matters
For years, Arm64 Linux users relied on Chromium or third-party browsers like Vivaldi, sacrificing account sync and official DRM support. The growing ecosystem of Arm-based hardware—including Snapdragon X laptops and high-end single-board computers—now has access to a fully-featured, officially supported Chrome browser. This removes a significant friction point for users considering Arm devices as primary workstations, particularly those embedded in the Google ecosystem who rely on streaming media services.