The Linux 6.15 kernel series has officially reached the end of its supported life, marking the end of maintenance updates. Users currently running Linux 6.15 are strongly encouraged to upgrade to a newer kernel version to ensure continued stability and security.
Linux 6.15, released on May 25th, 2025, introduced several noteworthy improvements, including:
Rust support for hrtimer and ARMv7
New
setcpuid=boot parameter for x86 CPUsEnhancements to sched_ext for event reporting
Intel and AMD PMU updates for x86
Nested virtualization support for VGICv3 on ARM
Emulated FEAT_PMUv3 support for Apple Silicon
Despite these advancements, Linux 6.15 was not an LTS (long-term support) branch, and its final release, Linux 6.15.11, was published today by Greg Kroah-Hartman. The kernel is now listed as EOL (End of Life) on kernel.org, meaning no further security or bug fixes will be provided.
Upgrade to Linux 6.16 or an LTS Kernel
For users seeking the latest improvements, Linux 6.16—released on July 28th, 2025—is the recommended upgrade. This version includes several new features, such as:
Initial support for Intel Trusted Domain Extensions (TDX)
Support for Intel APX (Advanced Performance Extensions)
USB audio offload support
Ability to send coredumps over an AF_UNIX socket
Auto-tuning weighted interleaved memory allocation policy
Linux 6.16 has already been adopted by rolling-release distributions such as openSUSE Tumbleweed and Arch Linux, and is also available in PorteuX 2.2, with Fedora Linux preparing to add support soon.
However, much like Linux 6.15, this release is also a short-lived branch, and will only be supported for a few months.
Best Choice for Stability: LTS Kernels
If you require a more stable and longer-supported kernel, consider switching to one of the long-term support (LTS) branches:
Linux 6.12 LTS – default in Debian 13 “Trixie”
Linux 6.6 LTS – widely supported in multiple distributions
Linux 6.1 LTS – still maintained and widely used in enterprise systems
Final Thoughts
With Linux 6.15 now officially End of Life, upgrading is not optional—it’s a necessity for maintaining system performance and security. While Linux 6.16 brings exciting new features, production environments may find greater reliability in LTS kernel series.
Upgrading today ensures you’re running a supported and secure kernel version that aligns with your system’s stability and performance requirements.