But you can't easily build a 64-bit kernel on a 32-bit OS (as that requires a cross-compile).
Building a 64-bit kernel on a 32-bit OS is a trivial task using a single build-kernel command:
Code:
pi@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo build-kernel -x -b rpi-6.18.y -c 4 -uOk to install bison flex git libncurses5-dev libssl-dev (y/n)? y...Ok to install crossbuild-essential-armhf crossbuild-essential-arm64 (y/n)? y...Configuration: Raspberry Pi 3, 3+, 4, 5, 400, 500, Zero 2W, and Raspberry Pi Compute Modules 3, 3+, 4, 5 (4k pagesize) (64-bit) [kernel8.img]Cross-compile mode: yesBranch: rpi-6.18.ySuffix: nonePatch file: noneUse old boot mount (/boot): noDisable running update-initramfs: noJobs: 4Run menuconfig: noInteractive shell: noPurge source files upon completion: noDownloading source files (this may take a while)...Kernel successfully builtCode:
pi@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo install-kernel kernel-6.18.3-v8.zipOk to install kernel-6.18.3-v8.zip (y/n)? y...Kernel installation completedReboot required to use new kernelReboot now (y/n)? yCode:
pi@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo cat /etc/os-releasePRETTY_NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux 13 (trixie)"NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux"VERSION_ID="13"VERSION="13 (trixie)"VERSION_CODENAME=trixieDEBIAN_VERSION_FULL=13.1ID=raspbianID_LIKE=debianHOME_URL="http://www.raspbian.org/"SUPPORT_URL="http://www.raspbian.org/RaspbianForums"BUG_REPORT_URL="http://www.raspbian.org/RaspbianBugs"pi@raspberrypi:~ $ sudo uname -aLinux raspberrypi 6.12.47+rpt-rpi-v7 #1 SMP Raspbian 1:6.12.47-1+rpt1 (2025-09-16) armv7l GNU/LinuxCode:
Raspberry Pi 3B+ : 6 hoursRaspberry Pi 5 : 1 hourWindows 11 WSL2 : 4 minutesStatistics: Posted by RonR — Tue Jan 06, 2026 2:34 am