Future browser updates on Linux 32-bit ARM are discontinued
We have decided to drop support for Linux 32-bit ARM with Vivaldi 7.6.
Discontinued support of your computer means you will not receive updates and critical security fixes from Vivaldi.
History and reasoning
Almost eight years ago on December 5th 2017 we announced that Vivaldi for Linux would run on 32-bit ARM. At the time we were the only commercially backed, Chomium browser to offer this. By the start of the next year we also added the first test builds of ARM64 in addition. This happened quickly because most of the ARM hardware capable of running a Chromium-based browser at the time, was actually already 64-bit (you just needed to install a 64-bit distro).
If we fast forward to today we have a situation where there are almost no users of our Linux 32-bit ARM packages and while there is an ever increasing number of ARM64 users. Offering 32-bit ARM packages however is not without cost. With Chromium updates we sometimes have difficulties related to 32-bit ARM, since it is not an area of focus for upstream Chromium. In addition, we spend significant resources making builds and testing them.
What versions of Linux do we support?
Currently, we support Linux on the x84_64 (amd64) and ARM64 (AArch64) architectures, on various popular distributions that are targetted for desktop usage. With the further caveat that they must still receive full, upstream support from the projects offering them. Our supported install methods are .deb, .rpm or .snap packages, though we will also consider bugs from distros that repackage Vivaldi, so long as they have not significantly altered our files (i.e. they have only tweaked the install method, to allow for install on that distribution).
What can you do now?
- Check if your machine can run an ARM64 distribution
If so, upgrade to this and you can continue to use Vivaldi. - Upgrade your hardware
If your old machine has been chugging along for far too long, maybe it’s time to give it a well-deserved retirement. Newer hardware means access to modern, secure operating systems, and your experience with Vivaldi will be buttery smooth. If you want to and have the means to, treat yourself.
What if you do nothing?
If you stick with what you have and keep using Vivaldi 7.5 remember, you’re entering a situation with no future updates. There is an increasing potential for new vulnerabilities. We do not recommend this from a security standpoint, but if you decide to, at least be aware of the risks!
Further reading
If you are interested in the topic of supporting older operating systems, you may also wish to read our previous articles, on updates to macOS 10.15 (Catalina) being discontinued and ending support for Windows 7 and 8.1.