GNOME 50 releases with X11 session support removed and Wayland

GNOME 50also known as Tokyo, has been released with a major update: the complete removal of the session x11. Now, wayland is the only display server available upon login. Users can no longer log in to GNOME 50 using X11, even if X.org is installed manually.

However, support for X11 applications remains through XWayland, the compatibility layer built into GNOME 50. Existing X11 applications continue to work as before. What is no longer available is the option to use X11 as the session backend.

What GNOME 50 means for Ubuntu and Fedora users

GNOME 50 is confirmed for Ubuntu 26.04 “Resolute Raccoon”, which will be released next month as a long-term support release. Most Ubuntu desktop users will run GNOME 50 until at least Ubuntu 28.04, and many for the full five-year lifespan of 26.04 LTS support.

Fedora 44, currently in beta, also includes GNOME 50 as the default desktop.

GNOME 50 Wayland and Display Performance Updates

GNOME 50 brings a number of improvements, including support for variable refresh rates and a new low-latency mode for the mouse cursor. The update also expands fractional scaling options, making it easier to achieve a perfect fit on different screens. Screen sharing now handles HDR content and color management has been updated, along with better graphics acceleration for remote desktop sessions.

Parental controls and accessibility in GNOME 50

New parental controls now include features like screen time limits and automatic bedtime locking, thanks to funding from the Endless Foundation. The Orca screen reader has received a complete update and there is a new option to reduce animation effects on the desktop for those who prefer or need less movement.

Application updates in GNOME 50: files, documents, calendar

GNOME Files, which used to be called Nautilus, gets a speed boost and uses less memory in this latest update, along with several interface tweaks. The Document Viewer, now called Papers since GNOME 48, introduces new annotation features such as text, drawing, line tools, and highlights. GNOME Calendar also sees improvements, with smoother keyboard navigation and easier ICS file exports. Additionally, GTK 4.22 is included for developers to explore.

Why GNOME 50 marks the end of X11 sessions

GNOME 50 marks an important milestone for Linux desktops. By fully embracing Wayland, GNOME signals that the future of Linux graphics has arrived and that the days of relying on X11 as the primary desktop environment are coming to an end.

GNOME 50 is available now and users running current distributions will receive it through regular system updates once the new version is included in their repositories.