Linux 5.12 Adds eMMC Inline Encryption For Better Performance, Lower Power Use

Thanks to Google engineers the Linux 5.12 kernel is providing punctual support for eMMC inline encryption that is being ratified with a forthcoming specification update and already being found within some mobile hardware.

Inline encryption for eMMC is able to enhance the storage encryption performance while also being more power efficient. This eMMC support builds off the existing Linux kernel FSCRYPT support around inline encryption. UFS support for inline encryption was upstreamed in Linux 5.9 as well while now the eMMC support is ready to make its premiere.

Along with the core eMMC support around inline encryption, there is also code for Qualcomm ICE (Inline Crypto Engine) support and gets it through into working order for the Snapdragon 630 SoC with the mainline kernel. Mediatek eMMC inline encryption hardware support is another addition that is forthcoming.

Google has been supporting inline encryption with various Android devices already while it's great to see the support working its way fully upstream into the mainline Linux kernel.

The full list of the MMC changes this cycle for Linux 5.12 can be found via this pull request.