Canonical confirms Ubuntu 25.10 will require RISC-V RVA23 support, dropping legacy hardware. Learn what this means for developers, compatible boards, and upgrade paths for RISC-V users on Ubuntu Linux.
What This Means for RISC-V Users
Canonical is making a strategic move ahead of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS by raising the RISC-V ISA baseline for Ubuntu 25.10 ("Oracular Oryx"), set to release later this year. This change will require RVA23 profile compliance, leaving older RISC-V hardware incompatible with future Ubuntu updates.
Why does this matter?
Ensures better performance and security with modern RISC-V extensions
Aligns Ubuntu with the latest ratified standards (RVA23)
Impacts users on older RISC-V platforms, restricting upgrades
Key Changes in Ubuntu 25.10’s RISC-V Support
1. RVA23 Profile Becomes Mandatory
Canonical developers have confirmed that Ubuntu 25.10 will enforce the RVA23 profile, ratified in 2023. This includes:
RISC-V Vector Extension (RVV) – Essential for high-performance computing
Hypervisor Extension – Critical for virtualization support
Standardized ISA improvements – Better software compatibility
2. Impact on Older RISC-V Hardware
Systems lacking RVA23U64 (the user-space profile) will be restricted to:
✔ Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (long-term support)
✔ Ubuntu 25.04 (last pre-RVA23 release)
Upgrade limitations:
No direct path from Ubuntu 25.04 ("Plucky") for RVA20-based systems
Users on Ubuntu 24.10 ("Noble") will be blocked from upgrading to 25.10 if their hardware is incompatible
3. Canonical’s Upgrade Enforcement
The ubuntu-release-upgrader will now:
✅ Block upgrades on non-compliant RISC-V systems
✅ Ensure only RVA23-supported hardware receives new updates
Why Is Canonical Making This Change?
Performance Optimization: RVA23 unlocks better vector processing and virtualization.
Security & Stability: Mandating ratified extensions reduces fragmentation.
Future-Proofing: Prepares for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, ensuring long-term compatibility.
What Should RISC-V Users Do?
Check CPU Compatibility – Verify if your hardware supports RVA23U64.
Stay on LTS (24.04) if Incompatible – Avoid forced upgrades.
Consider Hardware Upgrades – Newer RISC-V boards (e.g., SiFive, StarFive) support RVA23.
FAQs: Ubuntu 25.10 & RISC-V Changes
❓ Will Ubuntu 24.04 LTS still receive updates?
Yes, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS will be supported until April 2029, making it a safe choice for legacy RISC-V systems.
❓ Which RISC-V boards support RVA23?
Modern boards like:
SiFive HiFive Pro
StarFive VisionFive 2
Allwinner-based RISC-V SoCs
❓ Can I manually force an upgrade?
No—Canonical is enforcing this at the release-upgrader level to prevent instability.
Conclusion: Preparing for the Future of RISC-V on Ubuntu
Canonical’s shift to RVA23 ensures better performance and compatibility but requires users to evaluate their hardware. Enterprise users and developers should plan upgrades accordingly, while hobbyists may need to stick with LTS releases.
🔗 Stay Updated: Follow Ubuntu’s official RISC-V tracker for the latest developments.
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