The upcoming Linux Mint 22.2 release is expected to arrive at the end of August, but before any stable release can emerge, a bout of public beta testing is needed — and it seems a Linux Mint 22 beta release isn’t far away.
A Linux Mint 22.2 Cinnamon Edition ISO was added to the Linux Mint ISO tracker last week. This is where internal testing of images takes place before a public beta release.
While it was ‘rejected’ (which happens if major issues are found), a second image was added today (6 August) and is now in the process of ‘being tested’. Images being tested on the ISO tracker doesn’t happen for fun, so it indicates a beta is on the way.
Of course, there is a chance this latest ISO gets ‘rejected’. If so, a new ISO generated, added to testing, the process starts again until an image sticks.
Update: The beta ISOs are now “approved for release”, so expect them early next week.
As soon as an ISO moves from ‘being tested’ to ‘approved’ status a formal release can happen. That will be image you, I, or anyone else will download from the Linux Mint website, flash to a USB, boot on a device, and try out firsthand.
For Linux Mint 22.2, there will be a fair bit to try.
Lots Planned for Linux Mint 22.2
Linux Mint 22.2 is shaping up to a solid update.
It will continue to be based off of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS but with the latest HWE update. It will ship with a new version of the Cinnamon desktop, new fingerprint app with login support, a ‘modernised’ default theme, and better integration with modern ‘Adwaita’ apps.
I’ve covered many of the planned features in Linux Mint 22.2 over the past few months. If you’ve not kept track, head to our Linux Mint archives to find out what’s expected.
Naturally, I will recap all of the new features in a screenshot-heavy article once the Linux Mint 22 beta release is actually out.
Given the ISOs are now in testing, it seems that post will reappearing sooner rather than later — I should go and start working on it!
When is Linux Mint 22.2 released?
The public Linux Mint 22 beta release should happen in the next week or so, if past schedules are any indication.
Most Linux Mint beta release undergo 3-4 weeks of public testing. This gives enough time for real-world usage for users to find and report bugs, for devs to fix them, test the fixes to make sure they don’t introduce new bugs, and so on.
Once satisfied, a final, stable release is issued.