GNOME 50 Releases With X11 Session Support Removed and Wayland

[harlan4096]

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

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

What GNOME 50 Means for Ubuntu and Fedora Users

GNOME 50 is confirmed for Ubuntu 26.04 "Resolute Raccoon," due next month as a long-term support release. Most Ubuntu desktop users will be running GNOME 50 through at least Ubuntu 28.04, and many for the full five-year support lifespan of the 26.04 LTS.

Fedora 44, currently in beta, also ships GNOME 50 as its default desktop.

Continue Reading...