The Tails Project has announced the release of Tails 7.0, the first version of the privacy-focused operating system based on Debian 13 (Trixie) and GNOME 48 (Bengaluru). This update brings a faster startup experience, major application upgrades, refreshed GNOME features, and improved hardware support.

Tails 7 featured image

🕊️ Dedicated to Lunar

Tails 7.0 is dedicated to the memory of Lunar (1982–2024) – a long-time Tor volunteer, Free Software hacker, and community organizer. Lunar’s contributions to Tails, Tor, Debian, and the Reproducible Builds project helped shape the privacy and security landscape we know today.

⚡ Faster Startup

Tails 7.0 boots 10–15 seconds faster on most computers by switching the image compression algorithm from xz to zstd.

  • The images are ~10% larger than before.
  • On low-quality USB sticks, startup might still be slower.
  • The Tails team recommends buying USB sticks from reliable sources to avoid counterfeit electronics.

📦 Updated & Replaced Software

  • GNOME Console replaces GNOME Terminal
  • GNOME Loupe replaces GNOME Image Viewer
  • Tor Browser 14.5.7
  • Tor client 0.4.8.17
  • Thunderbird 128.14.0esr
  • Electrum 4.5.8
  • OnionShare 2.6.3
  • KeePassXC 2.7.10
  • Kleopatra 4:24.12
  • Inkscape 1.4
  • GIMP 3.0.4
  • Audacity 3.7.3
  • Text Editor 48.3
  • Document Scanner 46.0

🎨 GNOME Enhancements

  • Redesigned settings sections (Accessibility, Sound, Mouse & Keyboard in GNOME 44)
  • New accessibility options: Overamplification and Always Show Scrollbars
  • Dynamic workspace indicator replacing the Activities button in GNOME 45
  • Improved Screen Reader with better table navigation and sleep mode (GNOME 46)
  • New battery health preservation option in Power settings (GNOME 48)

🗑️ Removed Components

  • Places menu (use the Files sidebar instead)
  • Kleopatra removed from Favorites (still available under Apps ▸ Accessories)
  • unar (File Roller still opens most RAR archives)
  • aircrack-ng (installable via Additional Software)
  • Power Statistics utility
  • sq package
  • Obsolete Network Connection option from Welcome Screen

💻 Hardware & System Changes

  • Linux kernel 6.12.43 improves graphics and Wi-Fi support
  • RAM requirement increased to 3 GB (notification shown if unmet; <2% of users affected)
  • Keyboard selection fixes for certain languages (#12638)

🔄 Upgrading to Tails 7.0

  • Automatic upgrades available only from Tails 7.0~rc1 and 7.0~rc2
  • All other users must perform a manual upgrade to Tails 7.0

For full details, consult the official Tails 7.0 release announcement.