NixOS on the new Apple Macbook M1?

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Hello,
I’m wondering is it possible to install NixOS on a newer MacBook Pro M1? I have to admit, I didn’t notice that Apple has a new Chip out. It is arm “based” from what I read, so I fear that the arm installation guide doesn’t apply and I have to use a VM?

Thanks for clarifying this for me!
Regards
Eike

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In theory, the ARM installation guide would apply, but kernel and bootloader support aren’t really ready yet (though they’re getting very close). Keep an eye on Asahi Linux: https://asahilinux.org/

For now, though, you probably want to use a VM or Nix on macOS.

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Thank you very much for your answer and the link to asahilinux, I didn’t know about it. I then will try to run a VM or use a different device even.

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Any progress on NixOS on M1? Anyone tried it?

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the problem is that the NixOS modules are pretty linux specific. If you want to have a NixOS-like experience, you should look into GitHub - LnL7/nix-darwin: nix modules for darwin

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I think they were talking about the status of adapting NixOS to use Asahi Linux’ work, not nix-darwin on macOS.

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Oh, sorry.

IIRC, all of the asahi work is being upstreamed to the kernel. So eventually it will just be specifying a newer kernel.

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It also requires a fairly involved boot loader.

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Asahi Linux recently had their first formal release. They only officially support Arch Linux ARM, but their wiki links this guide to installing NixOS: https://github.com/tpwrules/nixos-m1/blob/504cf6108bdb4fc6a1aff5f455fbcac623bfa313/docs/uefi-standalone.md

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Asahi Linux has switched from Arch Linux arm to Fedora Linux. Fedora Asahi Remix - Asahi Linux

Maybe we can have a NixOS Asahi Remix :smile: