Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed “Resolute Raccoon” has arrived

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed “Resolute Raccoon,” has officially arrived. For the “geek” crowd and long-term support (LTS) users, this is one of the most significant shifts in the Ubuntu landscape in years.

This release isn’t just a collection of version updates; it’s a technological pivot toward a Rust-powered, Wayland-only future. If you are coming from 24.04, here is everything you need to know about what’s waiting for you in the Raccoon.

1. The Linux Kernel 7.0 & Hardware Support

Ubuntu 26.04 ships with Linux Kernel 7.0, offering a massive uplift for modern hardware. This includes enhanced support for Intel TDX (Confidential Computing), NVIDIA Multi-Instance GPU (MIG), and improved AMD IOMMU device support.

One of the coolest infrastructure changes is the “Split Firmware” model. The massive linux-firmware package has been split into 17 vendor-specific packages. This means your system only downloads the drivers it actually needs, saving hundreds of megabytes in updates.

2. GNOME 50: The “Tokyo” Era

The desktop experience is powered by GNOME 50, which marks the end of an era: X11 support has been removed from the GNOME Display Manager (GDM). Ubuntu is now fully Wayland-only. Legacy apps still work via XWayland, but the core session is strictly modern.

What’s new in the UI?

• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Finally native and stable for gamers and creative pros.
• Fractional Scaling: Now enabled by default and optimized to minimize blur.
• Visual Overhaul: Fresh, colorful Yaru folder icons that adapt to your desktop accent color.
• Lock Screen Media Control: Control your music or videos without unlocking your system.

3. The “Rustification” of Ubuntu

Canonical is doubling down on system security by rewriting core components in Rust.

• Resources: This new Rust-based app replaces the old System Monitor. It’s faster, sleeker, and provides granular tracking for GPUs and NPUs (Neural Processing Units).
• Sudo-rs: The sudo command is transitioning to a memory-safe Rust implementation.
• Coreutils: While most tools are now Rust-based, cp, mv, and rm still use GNU versions for absolute compatibility, though a full transition is expected soon.

4. New Default Apps

Ubuntu 26.04 refreshes the “out-of-the-box” experience with several new GTK4/Libadwaita applications:

• Showtime: Replaces Totem as the default video player. It features a distraction-free UI with on-canvas controls.
• Papers: Replaces Evince for document viewing.
• Loupe: Replaces Eye of GNOME for image viewing.
• Ptyxis: The new default terminal, built for performance with container (Podman/Distrobox) support baked right into the interface.

5. APT 3.1 & “Rollback”

The apt command has received its biggest upgrade in a decade. The new dependency solver is faster, but the real “killer feature” is the history and rollback support. You can now undo or redo package installations directly through APT, making it much easier to recover from a botched setup without reaching for Timeshift.

6. Security Center

Debuting in 24.10 but now a staple of the LTS, the Security Center provides a centralized hub for:

• TPM-backed Encryption: Manage your hardware-backed disk encryption.
• App Permissions: Control Snap application access to your camera, microphone, and files via XDG Desktop Portals.

Should you upgrade?

If you are on Ubuntu 25.10, the upgrade is available now. If you are on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, the standard upgrade path will open up following the release of 26.04.1 (usually in August). This delay ensures that the most critical bugs are ironed out before production machines make the jump.

Ubuntu 26.04 feels like the most “opinionated” release in years—it’s fast, it’s secure, and it’s unapologetically modern.