Linux Mint shows off its new lock screen/screensaver

Linux Mint is redesigning the lock screen and screensaver for the Cinnamon desktop. The new implementation moves away from the separate `cinnamon-screensaver` package and integrates natively into Cinnamon, using the same UI toolkit as the rest of the desktop. The redesign adds battery level, time/date, media controls, notification counts, fingerprint unlock, on-screen keyboard toggle, and user switcher support. It also brings Wayland compatibility and resolves the janky transition between desktop and lock screen. The next Cinnamon release will ship the new screensaver alongside the old one as a fallback, with a full cutover in the release after. Linux Mint 23, based on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, is expected to include the new lock screen.