KDE Is Going Wayland-Only

KDE is set to implement one of its most substantial desktop changes in years by completely removing the X11 session. This move will significantly impact some users but is also expected to bring improvements. The video will explore the pros, cons, and timeline of this transition, starting with the current usage statistics of Wayland versus X11 on Plasma 6.6.

X11 and Wayland are display systems for Linux and Unix-like desktops that manage how applications render on screen. X11, an older and stable system, has seen declining maintenance, primarily receiving only security updates. Wayland, its newer replacement, offers modern graphics support, including high DPI, touchpads, multiple monitors, better VRR, and improved security. While projects like X Libre attempt to modernize X11, KDE is firmly moving towards Wayland.

KDE announced on November 26, 2025, that the Plasma 6.8 release will be Wayland-exclusive, ending nearly three decades of X11 support. The X11 session will no longer be included, though XWayland will provide a compatibility layer for X11 applications within a Wayland session. This change will be implemented with the release of Plasma 6.8, expected around November or December, meaning the X11 session will be entirely removed from the login screen, and X11-specific code will be eliminated from Plasma components.

The move to a single display server allows KDE developers to focus their efforts, leading to less maintenance, faster development, better performance, and new features. XWayland will ensure continued support for X11 applications. However, some users with older hardware or specific workflows (like remote desktop, screen sharing, and accessibility software) that rely heavily on X11 might face issues. The transition is expected to bring performance improvements, memory optimizations, and exciting new features to Plasma.

Internal KDE metrics show that over 95% of Plasma 6.6 users are already on Wayland, and developers have largely abandoned X11 for testing. While 95% of current Plasma users are on Wayland, a significant portion (around 24%) of users on older Plasma 5.27 releases still use X11. The community sentiment is mixed but leans towards acceptance, viewing the move as inevitable and reasonable for shedding legacy baggage, though concerns remain about unresolved edge cases in Wayland, such as session restore and remote desktop performance.

KDE's decision is a turning point that will likely influence other Linux desktop environments to fully commit to Wayland. Other desktop environments will closely monitor KDE's transition to a Wayland-only session to inform their own decisions. Plasma 6.8 will officially mark the end of the X11 era for KDE, pushing the entire Linux ecosystem towards a Wayland-centric future.