GNOME 49.rc released: The final release is imminent
The latest development version of the GNOME desktop environment, GNOME 49.rc, has been released, signaling that the final release is imminent. This version includes a wide range of updates and changes across various modules, with key enhancements detailed for several applications and core components.
Key Module Updates and Changes
adwaita-icon-theme (48.1 => 49.rc)
- Includes updates for symbolic icons, such as night light and battery status
- Introduces cursor changes to improve user experience
at-spi2-core (2.57.1 => 2.57.2)
- Fixes an issue where at-spi-dbus-bus.service was not installed when systemd is disabled
- Includes collection fixes, documentation improvements, and corrected key-symbol reporting on X11 with multiple keyboard layouts
epiphany (49.beta => 49.rc)
- Addresses numerous bugs, including issues with suggestion dropdowns, permission requests, download links, address bar behavior, and session state handling
- Includes translation updates to improve user experience for non-English speakers
evolution-data-server (3.57.2 => 3.57.3)
- Fixes a bug that caused calendar event duplication
- Resolves an issue with IMAP message removal
- Includes improvements to CamelGpgContext encryption information and MH account busy loops
- Deprecates g_object_notify_by_pspec to improve code quality
foundry (1.0.beta => 1.0.rc)
- Significant work has been done on the LLM, VCS/Git, Tweak, and Template APIs
- Includes improvements to overall performance and stability
Other Module Updates
gdk-pixbuf (2.43.3 => 2.43.5)
- Deprecates animation-related APIs to improve code quality
- Fixes a JPEG crash (CVE-2025-7345) for improved security
- Includes glycin updates for JPEG saving and EXIF orientation
gdm (49.beta => 49.rc)
- Features translation updates to improve user experience for non-English speakers
- Includes fixes for PAM config files, logic for retrying preferred display servers, Plymouth, session file loading, simpledrm device detection, and X11 support by default
Core Component Updates
glib (2.85.3 => 2.85.4)
- Fixes a crash in g_hash_table_add to improve stability
- Resolves an issue with g_utf8_validate, g_log_structured(), and g_printf() to improve code quality
- Includes documentation updates and translation updates
glibmm (2.84.0 => 2.85.0)
- Adds get_week_of_year() and get_weeks_in_year() to Date for improved date handling
- Introduces new APIs for InetAddress and ZlibCompressor
Application Updates
gnome-boxes (48.0 => 49.rc.1)
- A re-release fixes a Flatpak CI build issue
- Previous changes include updated translations, increased default VM storage to 30 GiB, and added CCode attribute for null-terminated string arrays
gnome-builder (49.alpha => 49.rc)
- Features scrollbar and hover improvements
- Porting to AdwShortcutsDialog
- Support for inline Git blame
- Interactivity improvements during startup
Other Application Updates
gnome-calendar (49.alpha => 49.rc)
- Enhancements focus on keyboard navigation, a new testing framework, more prominent month names, visual tweaks, and updated translations
gnome-console (48.0.1 => 49.rc)
- Introduces fullscreen mode
- Improved error handling with debug information
- Expanded unit testing
Module Removals
A list of modules that were not upgraded in this release is provided:
- adwaita-fonts
- baobab
- blueprint-compiler
- And many others.
Testing and Porting Extensions
An installer image for testing and porting extensions is available and recommended for use in a virtual machine with EFI support. Developers can utilize the 49beta branch of Flatpak runtimes available on the Flathub beta repository.
Final Notes
This release is intended for GNOME developers and beta testers and is considered beta-quality software. Below is the release announcement by Javier Jardón:
GNOME 49.rc released!
Hi,
GNOME 49.rc is available! Final release is very close now!
Important links:
List of updated modules and changes.
You can use the official BuildStream project snapshot to compile GNOME 49.rc yourself
For application developers, you can use the 49beta branch of the flatpak runtimes, which is available on Flathub beta.
Also, an installer image is available for testing and porting extensions.
This installer image is meant to be installed in a virtual machine with EFI support (such as the GNOME Boxes version available on Flathub). You can also try to install it on bare metal.
Thanks to everyone involved and please give it a try!
WARNING! This is beta quality software. This release is intended for GNOME developers and beta testers. For more information about the 49 release, the full schedule, the official module lists and the proposed module lists, please see our schedule page.
Cheers,
Javier Jardón
GNOME Release Team
