elementary OS 8.1 is out with over 1,100 fixes, Linux 6.14, ARM64 support, and more

elementary OS 8.1 has been released with over 1,100 fixes and changes based on user feedback. It is built on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and uses the Linux 6.14 kernel, bringing improved hardware support and better gaming performance.

The workspace switcher now sits in the dock, allowing users to create new workspaces, reorder them with drag and drop, and access Multitasking View directly. Background apps appear in the dock via the Background Portal, making running processes more visible and easier to manage. Dark Mode adds schedule snoozing, and accessibility updates include an installer fully usable by blind users, with clearer labels and spoken password feedback. Secure Session under Wayland also gains fractional scaling, AppCenter adds ODRS percentage ratings and clearer labels, and the release introduces official ARM64 builds for UEFI devices.

Accessibility improvements include an installer fully usable by blind users, with clearer labels and spoken password feedback. elementary OS 8.1 is available to download from the elementary OS website as a pay what you can release, with images for both x86 64 and ARM64 systems depending on your device.