Linus Torvalds Rejects MMC Subsystem Updates for Linux 7.0: “Complete Garbage”
Linus Torvalds Rejects MMC Subsystem Updates for Linux 7.0: “Complete Garbage”
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Linus Torvalds Rejects MMC Subsystem Updates for Linux 7.0: “Complete Garbage”
February 12, 2026 — In a dramatic display of his famously direct communication style, Linux creator Linus Torvalds has rejected all proposed changes to the MultiMediaCard (MMC) subsystem for the upcoming Linux 7.0 kernel, calling the submissions “complete garbage” and “untested crap.”
The Rejection
The incident occurred during the Linux 7.0 merge window, which opened on February 9, 2026, just one day after the release of Linux 6.19. The rejected code package included several anticipated improvements and new features for MMC, SD, and SDIO device support.
Among the planned updates were:
- Support for NXP IW61x WiFi chip device IDs over SDIO
- Manufacturing date support for devices beyond 2025
- Optimized secure erase and TRIM operations for Kingston eMMC storage
- Code cleanups for the DW_MMC driver
- Mediatek MT8189 support in mtk-sd
- Various SDHCI (Secure Digital Host Controller Interface) driver updates
The Core Problem
The fundamental issue that triggered Torvalds’ harsh response was the apparent lack of proper testing and vetting. According to established kernel development practices, subsystem updates must undergo integration testing in the linux-next repository before being submitted for inclusion in the mainline kernel. This critical step allows developers to identify cross-subsystem conflicts, compilation errors, and integration issues before code reaches Torvalds’ review.
The MMC changes appear to have skipped this essential validation process. Reports indicate the code contained compilation errors, including issues related to CONFIG_MULTIPLEXER that would cause build failures on affected systems.
Torvalds’ Response
In his rejection message, Torvalds made his position unambiguous. He stated he would not accept any pull requests for fixes during the current merge window and would not pull any code from the MMC maintainer for the duration of the Linux 7.0 development cycle.
The maintainers have been told to try again for version 7.1, provided the code passes proper testing through linux-next.
Understanding the MMC Subsystem
The MMC subsystem is a critical component of the Linux kernel, serving as the core driver framework for managing MMC, SD, and SDIO bus protocols. While ordinary desktop users may rarely interact with it directly, the subsystem is essential for:
- Storage functionality in smartphones and embedded devices
- SD card support across a wide range of hardware
- SDIO-based wireless modules in development boards and consumer electronics
- eMMC storage used in mobile devices and embedded systems
Any instability or bugs in this subsystem could affect millions of devices running Linux across various platforms.
Linux 7.0 Development Continues
Despite this setback for the MMC subsystem, development of Linux 7.0 continues. The kernel is expected to be released in mid-April 2026, with the first Release Candidate (RC1) scheduled for February 22, 2026.
The version number jump from 6.19 to 7.0 follows Torvalds’ long-standing tradition of bumping the major version number when minor numbers approach 20 — a practice he has jokingly attributed to running out of fingers and toes for counting.
Other expected improvements in Linux 7.0 include:
- New AMD graphics hardware support with GFX 12.1
- RISC-V user-space control flow integrity and shadow stack support
- Batch I/O dispatch improvements for ublk
- IO_uring IOPOLL polling enhancements
- Enhanced sensor monitoring for ASUS desktop motherboards
- Framework 13 laptop fan control improvements
The Broader Context
This incident highlights the rigorous quality standards maintained for Linux kernel development. With Linux running on everything from embedded IoT devices to supercomputers and critical infrastructure, code quality and stability are non-negotiable.
Torvalds’ direct communication style, while sometimes controversial, serves as a final quality gate ensuring that only thoroughly tested, well-implemented code makes it into the kernel. This approach has helped maintain Linux’s reputation for reliability and stability over more than three decades of development.
The MMC maintainers will now need to revisit their code, conduct comprehensive testing across diverse hardware configurations, properly vet changes through linux-next, and resubmit for the Linux 7.1 development cycle.
What’s Next
The Linux 7.0 merge window will remain open for approximately two weeks, closing around February 23, 2026. Following this, weekly release candidates will be published for testing until the final stable release in mid-April.
For the MMC subsystem, development efforts will need to shift focus to the next kernel cycle, with an emphasis on proper testing procedures and quality assurance to meet the kernel community’s standards.
Linux 7.0 is expected to be released on April 12 or April 19, 2026, depending on the number of release candidates required during testing.
