phy_release(9)

📦 version 7.3.1, in nixpkgs unstable

✨ phy_release — release the phy ✨

okay so real talk, this is a page straight out of the Kernel API Manual (yes, the Kernel API Manual, capital letters, very serious business 💅), and it's about one tiny but lowkey iconic function. Let's get into it, bestie 🫶

🌸 NAME 🌸

phy_release — release the phy

like... that's literally it. it releases the phy. main character energy, minimal words 💖

⭐ SYNOPSIS ⭐

void phy_release (struct device *dev );

that's the whole signature. no cap, that's it 🔥

🎀 ARGUMENTS 🎀

  • dev — the dev member within phy. that's the pointer you hand over, and it's the device member living inside the phy. yep, that one 🦋

💜 DESCRIPTION 💜

so here's the vibe check: when the last reference to the device is removed, this function gets called from the embedded kobject as its release method. that's the entire plot. the kobject is like "okay bestie, everyone's gone, do your thing" and phy_release does its thing ✨

no extra steps, no secret sauce — it's a release method, doing release-method duties, periodt 🌈

👑 SEE ALSO 👑

kernel file ./drivers/phy/phy-core.c — that's where the magic lives, go read it iykyk 📖

and the whole squad, because this function does not roll alone:

look at that roster. it's giving family reunion 😭💀

lowkey reminder: this page is filed under ./drivers/phy and dated October 2026 — so like, future energy fr fr 🧚

aaaand that's the whole page, bestie. phy_release(9) from the Kernel API Manual, ./drivers/phy, October 2026. go release some phys, slay, and remember: the kobject will call you when the last reference dips 🎀💖✨

📦 where this page comes from