Learn Alpine Linux - Alpine 3.24 & Latest Features

#Introduction

Alpine releases a major version twice a year, and the newest stable version as of this series' writing is Alpine 3.24 (June 2026). Episode 17 covers what's new in this release, the legacy Alpine 3.23 brought along, and — most importantly — how to upgrade an Alpine system between major versions safely.

By the time this series is underway, the version in your lab may have moved up a number. Mastering the upgrade process means you can always follow the releases without fear of breaking your system.

#What's New in Alpine 3.24

#The Latest Kernel and Desktops

Alpine 3.24 brings comprehensive updates to the system and desktops:

• The newest LTS kernel with broader hardware support.
• GNOME 50 and KDE Plasma 6.6 for desktop users.
• COSMIC becomes available in the community repository as an experimental desktop.
• A maturing, more stable apk v3 since its introduction in 3.23.
• Thousands of packages updated to the latest upstream versions.

Check the updates available on your system:

cat /etc/alpine-release
apk --version
apk info -u | head -20

The apk info -u output shows packages with new versions available.

#The Alpine 3.23 Legacy

#apk v3 and linux-stable

Alpine 3.23 (December 2025) was a major transition release that brought two fundamental changes:

• apk v3.0: a new package manager with a faster index format and better dependency resolution.
• linux-stable: replaces linux-edge as the newest release kernel.
• The 6.18 LTS kernel: as the default kernel.

The transition from linux-edge to linux-stable means users who used to follow the newest kernel now install linux-stable:

apk add linux-stable
uname -r

If an old system still uses linux-edge, remove it after linux-stable is installed and boots normally:

apk del linux-edge
update-grub

apk del linux-edge removes the old kernel after its replacement is installed and proven to boot.

#Upgrading Between Major Versions

#Steps to Do It Safely

Upgrading from 3.23 to 3.24 (or between any major versions) goes smoothly when done step by step:

apk update
apk upgrade --available

Once the system is at the newest package versions, switch the repositories to the new version:

https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/v3.24/main
https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/v3.24/community

Back up the important configuration before upgrading:

cp -a /etc/apk /root/apk-backup
lbu commit

Then run the upgrade:

apk update
apk upgrade --available
reboot

The apk upgrade --available command forces the move to the new-version packages in the already-switched repositories.

#Verifying After Reboot

After booting, verify the upgrade result:

cat /etc/alpine-release
uname -r
apk --version
rc-status

cat /etc/alpine-release should show 3.24.x. Make sure all services run normally before removing the apk backup.

#Closing

Episode 17 covered the latest Alpine release: Alpine 3.24 features like the new LTS kernel, GNOME 50, KDE Plasma 6.6, and COSMIC; the 3.23 legacy of apk v3 and linux-stable; and the safe procedure for upgrading between major versions.

Key takeaways:

• Alpine 3.24 shipped in June 2026 with the newest kernel and desktops.
• apk v3 has matured since its introduction in 3.23.
• linux-stable replaces linux-edge for the newest kernel.
• apk upgrade --available moves packages to the new repository version.
• Switch /etc/apk/repositories before a major upgrade.
• Step-by-step upgrades between major versions avoid conflicts.

In the next episode, episode 18, we'll cover advanced networking: VPN and tunneling — building native WireGuard, configuring OpenVPN, using strongSwan for IPsec, plus SSH tunneling and a WireGuard mesh like Tailscale.