32bit Software on 64bit Linux

Many Linux distributions aim to drop execution support for 32bit Software. On this page we'd like to show ways of running 32bit Software on 64bit Linux systems.

Flatpak

The simples way is by using Flatpak. Since flatpak is a universal Linux packaging format it ships dependencies required by applications via so called runtimes. This also included dedicated 32bit compatibility runtimes. Therefore application developers might consider shipping their 32bit software as a flatpak and publish it via flathub.

For end users it is recommended to look at one of the following solutions without going into packaging up a Flatpak application

Steam

There is an unofficial Flaptak of Valves popular game front Steam available on Flathub. Simply download and install. It does contain all the required 32bit compatibility to run all your games and Steam right away with zero setup.

Lutris

Some can make use of Lutris from flathub. Which allows for running any software via flatpak.

1. Add a new "game" by clicking on the plus icon in the upper left of the man window

2. Select Add locally installed game

3. At Game info supply a name and set Runner to Linux (Runs native games)

4. Switch to Game options
5. Set Executable to the main binary of the application or game
6. Working directory to the directory containing the game or app selected previously

7. (Optional): In case the application or game relies on custom libraries either set them at Preload Library (One file only) or an entire directory at Add directory to LD_PRELOAD_PATH
8. Save and run the game or application

Distrobox

Another option is to run 32bit software via Distrobox using a Linux distribution with 32bit execution support. For a list of Linux distributions offering 32bit support please refer to our dedicated documentation page here.

A common use case might be 32bit application requiring to run an installer first.

Graphical Distrobox tools:

• BoxBuddy
• DistroShelf
• Kontainer

1. Create a new distrobox
2. Enter the distrobox shell
3. Run the installer
4. export the game or application to the host
   1. distrobox-export -a app-or-game-name if the application creates a *.desktop file
   2. distrobox-export -b /path/to/binary if the application does only get launched via a binary file

Then the application can either be run by calling the binary from the terminal or via a application shortcut form the application launcher.

Using graphical tools *.dep or *.rpm files can be installed into a distrobox container directly.

BoxBuddy and DistroShelf support exporting applications from the UI into the host system.

Wine and Proton

Wine and Proton are 64bit applications already. They use WOW64 (Windows-On-Windows 64bit) to run 32bit and 16bit Windows applications on 64bit Linux already.

Video