Linux Mint 23 Brings Full Wayland Support While Keeping X11 in the Mix

Linux Mint is set to officially support Wayland in its upcoming release, marking a significant enhancement for this popular distribution. Unlike some other Linux distros that have removed support for the legacy Xorg/X11 server—such as Ubuntu with its version 25.10—Linux Mint will maintain both X11 and Wayland.

Clement Lefebvre, the lead developer of Linux Mint, communicated that after extensive improvements, Wayland’s stability and functionality have reached a level comparable to X11. This includes advancements in window management, better handling of multi-monitor setups, enhanced HiDPI support, and improved hardware acceleration.

With the drop of the experimental label for Wayland support, users can expect it to be a fully functional choice. However, it remains uncertain whether Wayland will be set as the default session in Linux Mint 23, with Lefebvre stating he wants to keep the option open without a definitive timeline for change.

Cinnamon, the desktop environment for Linux Mint, also boasts improved functionality with Wayland, including the ability to run root applications directly on Wayland. It introduces a new command to list open windows with related data, enhancing user experience and compatibility with other distributions through support for systemd’s graphical session.

Linux Mint 23 is anticipated to release at the end of 2026, following a transition to a more spaced-out release schedule in order to provide the developers with ample time to integrate new features and ensure overall stability.

For further details, you can read more about Linux Mint’s plans on OMG! Ubuntu.