Linux Mint Release Cycle: What You Need to Know
Linux Mint is an Ubuntu-based distribution. You probably already know that.
Ubuntu releases a new version every six months but Linux Mint doesn’t follow the six-monthly release pattern.
Linux Mint uses the Ubuntu LTS (long term support) version as its base. An LTS version of Ubuntu is released every two years and hence you also get a major Mint version every two years (Mint 19, 20, 21, etc).
Like the Ubuntu LTS versions, a major Linux Mint version is also supported for five years. Although, there are three point releases in between (Mint 20.1, 20.2, 20.3).
Compared to Ubuntu, how long does Linux Mint receive updates? When should you expect an upgrade for Linux Mint? Should you upgrade when a new version is available?
Here, let me highlight all these necessary details regarding the release cycle of Linux Mint.