KDE ends X11 session support with Wayland-only Plasma 6.8
KDE has released Plasma 6.8 as a Wayland-only desktop, ending support for X11 sessions as the project marks its 30th anniversary. X11 applications can still run through XWayland, but tools and features that depend on an X11 session may stop working, making the transition significant for users and software developers.
The change follows a June KDE estimate that more than 95 per cent of Plasma 6.6 users were already on Wayland, while adoption across older versions was about 76 per cent. Plasma 6.8 adds improvements including screen recordings with system audio and microphone input, better HDR and multi-monitor support, and a faster remote desktop server; Kubuntu 27.04 is expected to include it in April. X11-capable KWin development may continue through the SonicDE project.
- KDE Plasma 6.8 drops X11 sessions.
- X11 apps remain usable through XWayland.
- Kubuntu 27.04 is expected to include the release.
New here? Start with this
KDE is the community behind Plasma, a desktop environment that provides the menus, windows and other visible parts of a Linux computer. For many years, Plasma users could choose between two ways of displaying the desktop: the older X11 system and the newer Wayland system.
Wayland has become the usual choice for Plasma users, while XWayland lets many older applications built for X11 continue to run within a Wayland session. Some tools rely on a full X11 session, however, so ending that option may affect users and developers who depend on them.
The change matters to people who maintain Linux desktops and software, as well as those choosing or upgrading a system. KDE’s direction may also shape how other Linux projects handle the shift from X11 to Wayland.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ending X11 sessions lets KDE focus development and testing on Wayland, which most Plasma users already use, and direct effort towards newer capabilities such as improved HDR, recording and multi-monitor support. Retaining XWayland also allows many existing X11 applications to keep running during the transition.
The case against
Dropping X11 sessions may disrupt users who rely on session-level tools or features that XWayland does not provide, even if their applications still run. Developers and users of older hardware or specialised workflows may face extra work or lose functionality, so the high overall adoption rate does not remove the value of continued support for those who have not migrated.
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Originally published by The Register as “KDE hits 30, decides it’s time to move out of the X11 era”.