XDG-Desktop-Portal 1.21: What’s New for Sandboxed Linux Applications

The XDG-Desktop-Portal project has just reached another milestone with the release of version 1.21 — bringing a range of improvements, usability enhancements, and expanded support for emerging Linux app technologies. Designed as a portal frontend service primarily for sandboxed applications such as those distributed via Flatpak, XDG-Desktop-Portal plays a pivotal role in modern Linux desktop ecosystems. It provides standardised interfaces that allow applications to interact safely and effectively with the host desktop environment, while maintaining the security benefits of sandboxing.

At its core, XDG-Desktop-Portal supplies a suite of D-Bus interfaces — known as portals — that expose controlled access to various desktop features, from opening files and URIs to clipboard access and notifications. This standardised API means developers need to write desktop-agnostic code, avoiding fragmentation and reducing the complexity of supporting multiple desktop environments such as GNOME, KDE, and others.

New Features in Version 1.21

One of the headline additions in version 1.21 is a reduced motion setting in the Settings Portal. This addition responds to accessibility concerns by letting users express a preference for minimal or simplified UI animations. When enabled, applications that respect this setting can tone down non-essential motion — an increasingly important consideration for users prone to motion sensitivity.

This update also extends support for Linyaps applications. Linyaps — which stands for “Linyaps Is Not Yet Another Packaging System” — is a cross-distribution Linux application packaging format spearheaded by the Deepin Linux distribution and gaining traction across some other platforms. Version 1.21 introduces a new subclass in the app-info portal specifically for Linyaps (xdpAppInfo), enabling better recognition and handling of these apps within the portal ecosystem. Support for emerging packaging formats like this helps future-proof Linux desktops as the landscape of how software is built and distributed continues to evolve.

Developers will also appreciate improvements to the test infrastructure. XDG-Desktop-Portal 1.21 adds support for running certain tests under Valgrind’s memcheck tool, providing a more robust way to identify memory management issues early in the development process. Robust testing is essential for maintaining stability across the many portals and components in the project.

Another useful addition is the ConfigureShortcuts method for the Global Shortcuts Portal. This method gives applications a mechanism to define or modify keyboard shortcuts in a desktop-neutral way, improving how software implements consistent keybindings across environments.

Alongside these headline features, version 1.21 includes numerous bug fixes, documentation updates, and other refinements that smooth out rough edges and improve reliability.

Why XDG-Desktop-Portal Matters

Sandboxing technologies like Flatpak have become a mainstay for distributing Linux desktop applications because they isolate apps from the core system — enhancing security and preventing unintended interactions. But sandboxing also creates challenges, especially when apps need access to desktop resources like file choosers, notifications or hardware interfaces. That’s where XDG-Desktop-Portal comes in: it offers well-defined, permission-controlled bridges that let sandboxed apps access these resources safely.

Rather than forcing developers to write complex, desktop-specific integration code, portal APIs abstract these interactions into a common set of services. For example, instead of each app having to implement custom code for file selection on Wayland, XDG-Desktop-Portal exposes a File Chooser Portal that all environments can implement. Under the hood, this often uses features like FUSE mounting to securely hand over file access when needed.

Furthermore, using portal APIs lets applications function uniformly across distributions and desktop environments — something vital in the fragmented world of Linux where fragmentation can otherwise slow adoption of new software.

A Broader View of Portal Evolution

XDG-Desktop-Portal has seen steady evolution over time, with recent releases adding new capabilities that reflect the needs of desktop users and developers alike. For example, earlier versions introduced features such as accent color support and input capture portals, helping apps deliver richer experiences. Other releases added USB support and enhanced notifications, broadening the scope of what sandboxed apps can do.

These incremental improvements highlight how XDG-Desktop-Portal has matured from a simple compatibility layer into a foundational piece of Linux desktop infrastructure. The focus remains on balancing security with functionality — enabling powerful application behavior without compromising the integrity of the underlying system.

Community and Future Direction

The XDG-Desktop-Portal project is developed collaboratively within the open-source community. Its releases are tracked and discussed on platforms like GitHub, where contributors propose enhancements, file bug reports, and help refine the portal APIs. Giving developers a clear roadmap and documentation remains a priority, as it lowers barriers for both app developers and desktop environment maintainers.

Looking ahead, continued enhancements to portals — whether through expanded hardware support, richer accessibility features, or tighter integration with emerging packaging formats — will likely broaden the kinds of applications that can thrive on Linux desktops. As sandboxed app distribution grows, having robust and flexible portal infrastructure will remain key to delivering seamless user experiences.