KDE Plasma 6.8, set for release later in 2026, will be the first version to completely remove support for X11 sessions, eliminating all X11-specific code from the desktop environment [1, 2]. Users will be required to log in using Wayland sessions only, though XWayland will remain available to run legacy X11 applications and games [1, 2].
Internal KDE metrics show nearly all Plasma users have already moved to Wayland, with over 95% of Plasma 6.6 users running on Wayland sessions, indicating a widespread shift in the user base away from X11 [1, 2]. Developers expect the removal of X11 session support to simplify the codebase, enabling performance optimizations and further enhancements focused exclusively on Wayland [1, 2].
David Edmundson, a KDE developer, said, "The transition from legacy X11 to Wayland has been a long, painful journey, but I’m glad we’re finally reaching the destination" [2]. He acknowledged the challenges faced in replacing the decades-old X11 system.
Removing X11 session support will not affect KDE applications running in other X11 environments or users who continue on older Plasma versions that still support X11 [2]. KDE stated that development and testing efforts on X11 sessions have all but ceased internally, reflecting the diminishing relevance of the legacy system [2].
Earlier in 2026, KDE Plasma 6.7 prepared users for the transition by being the last release to support X11 sessions, marking a development shift towards fully removing X11 for the upcoming Plasma 6.8 release [2].
The full release of Plasma 6.8 later this year will solidify Wayland as the exclusive session protocol for KDE Plasma, completing the long-awaited migration away from X11 [1, 2].