diff --git a/src/backends/meta-backend.c b/src/backends/meta-backend.c
index 67becc7b8..0e3072e22 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-backend.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-backend.c
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ meta_backend_real_post_init (MetaBackend *backend)
                            G_CALLBACK (on_device_removed), backend,
                            G_CONNECT_AFTER);
 
-  priv->input_mapper = meta_input_mapper_new ();
+  priv->input_mapper = meta_input_mapper_new (backend);
 
   input_settings = meta_backend_get_input_settings (backend);
 
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-crtc.c b/src/backends/meta-crtc.c
index 44c2fc098..a56578917 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-crtc.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-crtc.c
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ enum
   PROP_0,
 
   PROP_ID,
+  PROP_BACKEND,
   PROP_GPU,
   PROP_ALL_TRANSFORMS,
 
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ typedef struct _MetaCrtcPrivate
 {
   uint64_t id;
 
+  MetaBackend *backend;
   MetaGpu *gpu;
 
   MetaMonitorTransform all_transforms;
@@ -58,6 +60,14 @@ meta_crtc_get_id (MetaCrtc *crtc)
   return priv->id;
 }
 
+MetaBackend *
+meta_crtc_get_backend (MetaCrtc *crtc)
+{
+  MetaCrtcPrivate *priv = meta_crtc_get_instance_private (crtc);
+
+  return priv->backend;
+}
+
 MetaGpu *
 meta_crtc_get_gpu (MetaCrtc *crtc)
 {
@@ -179,6 +189,9 @@ meta_crtc_set_property (GObject      *object,
     case PROP_ID:
       priv->id = g_value_get_uint64 (value);
       break;
+    case PROP_BACKEND:
+      priv->backend = g_value_get_object (value);
+      break;
     case PROP_GPU:
       priv->gpu = g_value_get_object (value);
       break;
@@ -204,6 +217,9 @@ meta_crtc_get_property (GObject    *object,
     case PROP_ID:
       g_value_set_uint64 (value, priv->id);
       break;
+    case PROP_BACKEND:
+      g_value_set_object (value, priv->backend);
+      break;
     case PROP_GPU:
       g_value_set_object (value, priv->gpu);
       break;
@@ -252,6 +268,14 @@ meta_crtc_class_init (MetaCrtcClass *klass)
                          G_PARAM_READWRITE |
                          G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT_ONLY |
                          G_PARAM_STATIC_STRINGS);
+  obj_props[PROP_BACKEND] =
+    g_param_spec_object ("backend",
+                         "backend",
+                         "MetaBackend",
+                         META_TYPE_BACKEND,
+                         G_PARAM_READWRITE |
+                         G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT_ONLY |
+                         G_PARAM_STATIC_STRINGS);
   obj_props[PROP_GPU] =
     g_param_spec_object ("gpu",
                          "gpu",
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-crtc.h b/src/backends/meta-crtc.h
index fa31463a4..6ada377d8 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-crtc.h
+++ b/src/backends/meta-crtc.h
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ struct _MetaCrtcClass
 META_EXPORT_TEST
 uint64_t meta_crtc_get_id (MetaCrtc *crtc);
 
+META_EXPORT_TEST
+MetaBackend * meta_crtc_get_backend (MetaCrtc *crtc);
+
 META_EXPORT_TEST
 MetaGpu * meta_crtc_get_gpu (MetaCrtc *crtc);
 
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-cursor-renderer.c b/src/backends/meta-cursor-renderer.c
index feab16f5f..ef84b8308 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-cursor-renderer.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-cursor-renderer.c
@@ -478,3 +478,12 @@ meta_cursor_renderer_get_input_device (MetaCursorRenderer *renderer)
 
   return priv->device;
 }
+
+MetaBackend *
+meta_cursor_renderer_get_backend (MetaCursorRenderer *renderer)
+{
+  MetaCursorRendererPrivate *priv =
+    meta_cursor_renderer_get_instance_private (renderer);
+
+  return priv->backend;
+}
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-cursor-renderer.h b/src/backends/meta-cursor-renderer.h
index 89a73aef1..550c59177 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-cursor-renderer.h
+++ b/src/backends/meta-cursor-renderer.h
@@ -77,4 +77,6 @@ ClutterInputDevice * meta_cursor_renderer_get_input_device (MetaCursorRenderer *
 void meta_cursor_renderer_update_stage_overlay (MetaCursorRenderer *renderer,
                                                 MetaCursorSprite   *cursor_sprite);
 
+MetaBackend * meta_cursor_renderer_get_backend (MetaCursorRenderer *renderer);
+
 #endif /* META_CURSOR_RENDERER_H */
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-cursor-tracker.c b/src/backends/meta-cursor-tracker.c
index fba66c097..e6a1d0ba8 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-cursor-tracker.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-cursor-tracker.c
@@ -109,7 +109,8 @@ update_displayed_cursor (MetaCursorTracker *tracker)
 {
   MetaCursorTrackerPrivate *priv =
     meta_cursor_tracker_get_instance_private (tracker);
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
+  MetaContext *context = meta_backend_get_context (priv->backend);
+  MetaDisplay *display = meta_context_get_display (context);
   MetaCursorSprite *cursor = NULL;
 
   if (display && meta_display_windows_are_interactable (display) &&
@@ -323,7 +324,8 @@ meta_cursor_tracker_class_init (MetaCursorTrackerClass *klass)
 MetaCursorTracker *
 meta_cursor_tracker_get_for_display (MetaDisplay *display)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaContext *context = meta_display_get_context (display);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_context_get_backend (context);
   MetaCursorTracker *tracker = meta_backend_get_cursor_tracker (backend);
 
   g_assert (tracker);
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-idle-manager.c b/src/backends/meta-idle-manager.c
index 92ba0a237..f8ab6ed43 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-idle-manager.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-idle-manager.c
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ meta_idle_manager_get_monitor (MetaIdleManager    *idle_manager,
 MetaIdleMonitor *
 meta_idle_manager_get_core_monitor (MetaIdleManager *idle_manager)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = idle_manager->backend;
   ClutterBackend *clutter_backend = meta_backend_get_clutter_backend (backend);
   ClutterSeat *seat = clutter_backend_get_default_seat (clutter_backend);
 
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-input-device-private.h b/src/backends/meta-input-device-private.h
index a2cbd4864..d7618a869 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-input-device-private.h
+++ b/src/backends/meta-input-device-private.h
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <libwacom/libwacom.h>
 #endif
 
+#include "backends/meta-backend-types.h"
 #include "clutter/clutter-mutter.h"
 
 typedef struct _MetaInputDeviceClass MetaInputDeviceClass;
@@ -45,4 +46,6 @@ G_DECLARE_DERIVABLE_TYPE (MetaInputDevice,
 WacomDevice * meta_input_device_get_wacom_device (MetaInputDevice *input_device);
 #endif
 
+MetaBackend * meta_input_device_get_backend (MetaInputDevice *input_device);
+
 #endif /* META_INPUT_DEVICE_H */
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-input-device.c b/src/backends/meta-input-device.c
index 55870c438..13cbac57a 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-input-device.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-input-device.c
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ typedef struct _MetaInputDevicePrivate MetaInputDevicePrivate;
 
 struct _MetaInputDevicePrivate
 {
+  MetaBackend *backend;
+
 #ifdef HAVE_LIBWACOM
   WacomDevice *wacom_device;
 #else
@@ -38,6 +40,7 @@ enum
 {
   PROP_0,
 
+  PROP_BACKEND,
   PROP_WACOM_DEVICE,
 
   N_PROPS
@@ -69,7 +72,7 @@ meta_input_device_constructed (GObject *object)
 #ifdef HAVE_LIBWACOM
   input_device = META_INPUT_DEVICE (object);
   priv = meta_input_device_get_instance_private (input_device);
-  wacom_db = meta_backend_get_wacom_database (meta_get_backend ());
+  wacom_db = meta_backend_get_wacom_database (priv->backend);
   node = clutter_input_device_get_device_node (CLUTTER_INPUT_DEVICE (input_device));
   priv->wacom_device = libwacom_new_from_path (wacom_db, node,
                                                WFALLBACK_NONE, NULL);
@@ -90,6 +93,26 @@ meta_input_device_finalize (GObject *object)
   G_OBJECT_CLASS (meta_input_device_parent_class)->finalize (object);
 }
 
+static void
+meta_input_device_set_property (GObject      *object,
+                                guint         prop_id,
+                                const GValue *value,
+                                GParamSpec   *pspec)
+{
+  MetaInputDevicePrivate *priv;
+
+  priv = meta_input_device_get_instance_private (META_INPUT_DEVICE (object));
+
+  switch (prop_id)
+    {
+    case PROP_BACKEND:
+      priv->backend = g_value_get_object (value);
+      break;
+    default:
+      G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID (object, prop_id, pspec);
+    }
+}
+
 static void
 meta_input_device_get_property (GObject    *object,
                                 guint       prop_id,
@@ -117,8 +140,17 @@ meta_input_device_class_init (MetaInputDeviceClass *klass)
 
   object_class->constructed = meta_input_device_constructed;
   object_class->finalize = meta_input_device_finalize;
+  object_class->set_property = meta_input_device_set_property;
   object_class->get_property = meta_input_device_get_property;
 
+  props[PROP_BACKEND] =
+    g_param_spec_object ("backend",
+                         "backend",
+                         "MetaBackend",
+                         META_TYPE_BACKEND,
+                         G_PARAM_WRITABLE |
+                         G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT_ONLY |
+                         G_PARAM_STATIC_STRINGS);
   props[PROP_WACOM_DEVICE] =
     g_param_spec_pointer ("wacom-device",
                           "Wacom device",
@@ -140,3 +172,12 @@ meta_input_device_get_wacom_device (MetaInputDevice *input_device)
   return priv->wacom_device;
 }
 #endif /* HAVE_LIBWACOM */
+
+MetaBackend *
+meta_input_device_get_backend (MetaInputDevice *input_device)
+{
+  MetaInputDevicePrivate *priv =
+    meta_input_device_get_instance_private (input_device);
+
+  return priv->backend;
+}
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-input-mapper-private.h b/src/backends/meta-input-mapper-private.h
index 894ea19fa..b371a31a2 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-input-mapper-private.h
+++ b/src/backends/meta-input-mapper-private.h
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ G_DECLARE_FINAL_TYPE (MetaInputMapper, meta_input_mapper,
                       META, INPUT_MAPPER,
                       MetaDBusInputMappingSkeleton)
 
-MetaInputMapper * meta_input_mapper_new      (void);
+MetaInputMapper * meta_input_mapper_new (MetaBackend *backend);
 
 void meta_input_mapper_add_device    (MetaInputMapper    *mapper,
                                       ClutterInputDevice *device);
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-input-mapper.c b/src/backends/meta-input-mapper.c
index 10d67dd99..362f7d057 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-input-mapper.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-input-mapper.c
@@ -33,6 +33,17 @@
 
 #define MAX_SIZE_MATCH_DIFF 0.05
 
+enum
+{
+  PROP_0,
+
+  PROP_BACKEND,
+
+  N_PROPS
+};
+
+static GParamSpec *obj_props[N_PROPS];
+
 typedef struct _MetaMapperInputInfo MetaMapperInputInfo;
 typedef struct _MetaMapperOutputInfo MetaMapperOutputInfo;
 typedef struct _MappingHelper MappingHelper;
@@ -42,6 +53,8 @@ typedef struct _DeviceMatch DeviceMatch;
 struct _MetaInputMapper
 {
   MetaDBusInputMappingSkeleton parent_instance;
+
+  MetaBackend *backend;
   MetaMonitorManager *monitor_manager;
   ClutterSeat *seat;
   GHashTable *input_devices; /* ClutterInputDevice -> MetaMapperInputInfo */
@@ -682,6 +695,44 @@ input_mapper_device_removed_cb (ClutterSeat        *seat,
   meta_input_mapper_remove_device (mapper, device);
 }
 
+static void
+meta_input_mapper_set_property (GObject      *object,
+                                guint         prop_id,
+                                const GValue *value,
+                                GParamSpec   *pspec)
+{
+  MetaInputMapper *mapper = META_INPUT_MAPPER (object);
+
+  switch (prop_id)
+    {
+    case PROP_BACKEND:
+      mapper->backend = g_value_get_object (value);
+      break;
+    default:
+      G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID (object, prop_id, pspec);
+      break;
+    }
+}
+
+static void
+meta_input_mapper_get_property (GObject    *object,
+                                guint       prop_id,
+                                GValue     *value,
+                                GParamSpec *pspec)
+{
+  MetaInputMapper *mapper = META_INPUT_MAPPER (object);
+
+  switch (prop_id)
+    {
+    case PROP_BACKEND:
+      g_value_set_object (value, mapper->backend);
+      break;
+    default:
+      G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID (object, prop_id, pspec);
+      break;
+    }
+}
+
 static void
 meta_input_mapper_finalize (GObject *object)
 {
@@ -706,7 +757,6 @@ static void
 meta_input_mapper_constructed (GObject *object)
 {
   MetaInputMapper *mapper = META_INPUT_MAPPER (object);
-  MetaBackend *backend;
 
   G_OBJECT_CLASS (meta_input_mapper_parent_class)->constructed (object);
 
@@ -714,8 +764,7 @@ meta_input_mapper_constructed (GObject *object)
   g_signal_connect (mapper->seat, "device-removed",
                     G_CALLBACK (input_mapper_device_removed_cb), mapper);
 
-  backend = meta_get_backend ();
-  mapper->monitor_manager = meta_backend_get_monitor_manager (backend);
+  mapper->monitor_manager = meta_backend_get_monitor_manager (mapper->backend);
   g_signal_connect (mapper->monitor_manager, "monitors-changed-internal",
                     G_CALLBACK (input_mapper_monitors_changed_cb), mapper);
   g_signal_connect (mapper->monitor_manager, "power-save-mode-changed",
@@ -732,6 +781,18 @@ meta_input_mapper_class_init (MetaInputMapperClass *klass)
 
   object_class->constructed = meta_input_mapper_constructed;
   object_class->finalize = meta_input_mapper_finalize;
+  object_class->set_property = meta_input_mapper_set_property;
+  object_class->get_property = meta_input_mapper_get_property;
+
+  obj_props[PROP_BACKEND] =
+    g_param_spec_object ("backend",
+                         "backend",
+                         "MetaBackend",
+                         META_TYPE_BACKEND,
+                         G_PARAM_READWRITE |
+                         G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT_ONLY |
+                         G_PARAM_STATIC_STRINGS);
+  g_object_class_install_properties (object_class, N_PROPS, obj_props);
 
   signals[DEVICE_MAPPED] =
     g_signal_new ("device-mapped",
@@ -882,9 +943,11 @@ meta_input_mapping_init_iface (MetaDBusInputMappingIface *iface)
 
 
 MetaInputMapper *
-meta_input_mapper_new (void)
+meta_input_mapper_new (MetaBackend *backend)
 {
-  return g_object_new (META_TYPE_INPUT_MAPPER, NULL);
+  return g_object_new (META_TYPE_INPUT_MAPPER,
+                       "backend", backend,
+                       NULL);
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-input-settings-private.h b/src/backends/meta-input-settings-private.h
index fa5138e9d..21aa0d1ce 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-input-settings-private.h
+++ b/src/backends/meta-input-settings-private.h
@@ -182,4 +182,6 @@ void meta_input_settings_notify_kbd_a11y_change (MetaInputSettings     *input_se
                                                  MetaKeyboardA11yFlags  new_flags,
                                                  MetaKeyboardA11yFlags  what_changed);
 
+MetaBackend * meta_input_settings_get_backend (MetaInputSettings *input_settings);
+
 #endif /* META_INPUT_SETTINGS_PRIVATE_H */
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-input-settings.c b/src/backends/meta-input-settings.c
index 1e00c6e47..e763433f7 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-input-settings.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-input-settings.c
@@ -39,6 +39,17 @@
 #include "core/display-private.h"
 #include "meta/util.h"
 
+enum
+{
+  PROP_0,
+
+  PROP_BACKEND,
+
+  N_PROPS
+};
+
+static GParamSpec *props[N_PROPS] = { 0 };
+
 static GQuark quark_tool_settings = 0;
 
 typedef struct _MetaInputSettingsPrivate MetaInputSettingsPrivate;
@@ -66,6 +77,8 @@ struct _DeviceMappingInfo
 
 struct _MetaInputSettingsPrivate
 {
+  MetaBackend *backend;
+
   ClutterSeat *seat;
   gulong monitors_changed_id;
 
@@ -1711,6 +1724,26 @@ meta_input_settings_constructed (GObject *object)
   load_keyboard_a11y_settings (input_settings);
 }
 
+static void
+meta_input_settings_set_property (GObject      *object,
+                                  guint         prop_id,
+                                  const GValue *value,
+                                  GParamSpec   *pspec)
+{
+  MetaInputSettings *settings = META_INPUT_SETTINGS (object);
+  MetaInputSettingsPrivate *priv =
+    meta_input_settings_get_instance_private (settings);
+
+  switch (prop_id)
+    {
+    case PROP_BACKEND:
+      priv->backend = g_value_get_object (value);
+      break;
+    default:
+      G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID (object, prop_id, pspec);
+    }
+}
+
 static void
 meta_input_settings_class_init (MetaInputSettingsClass *klass)
 {
@@ -1718,6 +1751,17 @@ meta_input_settings_class_init (MetaInputSettingsClass *klass)
 
   object_class->dispose = meta_input_settings_dispose;
   object_class->constructed = meta_input_settings_constructed;
+  object_class->set_property = meta_input_settings_set_property;
+
+  props[PROP_BACKEND] =
+    g_param_spec_object ("backend",
+                         "backend",
+                         "MetaBackend",
+                         META_TYPE_BACKEND,
+                         G_PARAM_WRITABLE |
+                         G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT_ONLY |
+                         G_PARAM_STATIC_STRINGS);
+  g_object_class_install_properties (object_class, N_PROPS, props);
 
   quark_tool_settings =
     g_quark_from_static_string ("meta-input-settings-tool-settings");
@@ -1864,3 +1908,12 @@ meta_input_settings_get_kbd_a11y_settings (MetaInputSettings   *input_settings,
 
   *a11y_settings = priv->kbd_a11y_settings;
 }
+
+MetaBackend *
+meta_input_settings_get_backend (MetaInputSettings *settings)
+{
+  MetaInputSettingsPrivate *priv =
+    meta_input_settings_get_instance_private (settings);
+
+  return priv->backend;
+}
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager-dummy.c b/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager-dummy.c
index 5ca6a6b73..ef3c3c330 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager-dummy.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager-dummy.c
@@ -209,6 +209,7 @@ append_monitor (MetaMonitorManager *manager,
 
   crtc = g_object_new (META_TYPE_CRTC_DUMMY,
                        "id", (uint64_t) g_list_length (*crtcs) + 1,
+                       "backend", meta_gpu_get_backend (gpu),
                        "gpu", gpu,
                        NULL);
   *crtcs = g_list_append (*crtcs, crtc);
@@ -295,6 +296,7 @@ append_tiled_monitor (MetaMonitorManager *manager,
 
       crtc = g_object_new (META_TYPE_CRTC_DUMMY,
                            "id", (uint64_t) g_list_length (*crtcs) + i + 1,
+                           "backend", meta_gpu_get_backend (gpu),
                            "gpu", gpu,
                            NULL);
       new_crtcs = g_list_append (new_crtcs, crtc);
@@ -674,9 +676,9 @@ meta_monitor_manager_dummy_calculate_supported_scales (MetaMonitorManager
 }
 
 static gboolean
-is_monitor_framebuffers_scaled (void)
+is_monitor_framebuffers_scaled (MetaMonitorManager *manager)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_monitor_manager_get_backend (manager);
   MetaSettings *settings = meta_backend_get_settings (backend);
 
   return meta_settings_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
@@ -687,7 +689,7 @@ is_monitor_framebuffers_scaled (void)
 static MetaMonitorManagerCapability
 meta_monitor_manager_dummy_get_capabilities (MetaMonitorManager *manager)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_monitor_manager_get_backend (manager);
   MetaSettings *settings = meta_backend_get_settings (backend);
   MetaMonitorManagerCapability capabilities =
     META_MONITOR_MANAGER_CAPABILITY_NONE;
@@ -711,7 +713,7 @@ meta_monitor_manager_dummy_get_max_screen_size (MetaMonitorManager *manager,
 static MetaLogicalMonitorLayoutMode
 meta_monitor_manager_dummy_get_default_layout_mode (MetaMonitorManager *manager)
 {
-  if (is_monitor_framebuffers_scaled ())
+  if (is_monitor_framebuffers_scaled (manager))
     return META_LOGICAL_MONITOR_LAYOUT_MODE_LOGICAL;
   else
     return META_LOGICAL_MONITOR_LAYOUT_MODE_PHYSICAL;
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-monitor.c b/src/backends/meta-monitor.c
index e9ea57a3b..51877fc68 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-monitor.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-monitor.c
@@ -1879,7 +1879,7 @@ meta_monitor_calculate_mode_scale (MetaMonitor                *monitor,
                                    MetaMonitorMode            *monitor_mode,
                                    MetaMonitorScalesConstraint constraints)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_monitor_get_backend (monitor);
   MetaSettings *settings = meta_backend_get_settings (backend);
   int global_scaling_factor;
 
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-remote-desktop-session.c b/src/backends/meta-remote-desktop-session.c
index caee7aa6a..f08fd6359 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-remote-desktop-session.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-remote-desktop-session.c
@@ -124,6 +124,16 @@ G_DEFINE_TYPE (MetaRemoteDesktopSessionHandle,
 static MetaRemoteDesktopSessionHandle *
 meta_remote_desktop_session_handle_new (MetaRemoteDesktopSession *session);
 
+static MetaDisplay *
+display_from_session (MetaRemoteDesktopSession *session)
+{
+  MetaRemoteDesktop *remote_desktop = session->remote_desktop;
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_remote_desktop_get_backend (remote_desktop);
+  MetaContext *context = meta_backend_get_context (backend);
+
+  return meta_context_get_display (context);
+}
+
 static gboolean
 meta_remote_desktop_session_is_running (MetaRemoteDesktopSession *session)
 {
@@ -133,7 +143,8 @@ meta_remote_desktop_session_is_running (MetaRemoteDesktopSession *session)
 static void
 init_remote_access_handle (MetaRemoteDesktopSession *session)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaRemoteDesktop *remote_desktop = session->remote_desktop;
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_remote_desktop_get_backend (remote_desktop);
   MetaRemoteAccessController *remote_access_controller;
   MetaRemoteAccessHandle *remote_access_handle;
 
@@ -1076,7 +1087,7 @@ handle_enable_clipboard (MetaDBusRemoteDesktopSession *skeleton,
   MetaRemoteDesktopSession *session = META_REMOTE_DESKTOP_SESSION (skeleton);
   GVariant *mime_types_variant;
   g_autoptr (GError) error = NULL;
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
+  MetaDisplay *display = display_from_session (session);
   MetaSelection *selection = meta_display_get_selection (display);
   g_autoptr (MetaSelectionSourceRemote) source_remote = NULL;
 
@@ -1188,7 +1199,7 @@ transfer_request_cleanup_timout (gpointer user_data)
 static void
 reset_current_selection_source (MetaRemoteDesktopSession *session)
 {
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
+  MetaDisplay *display = display_from_session (session);
   MetaSelection *selection = meta_display_get_selection (display);
 
   if (!session->current_source)
@@ -1218,7 +1229,7 @@ handle_disable_clipboard (MetaDBusRemoteDesktopSession *skeleton,
                           GDBusMethodInvocation        *invocation)
 {
   MetaRemoteDesktopSession *session = META_REMOTE_DESKTOP_SESSION (skeleton);
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
+  MetaDisplay *display = display_from_session (session);
   MetaSelection *selection = meta_display_get_selection (display);
 
   meta_topic (META_DEBUG_REMOTE_DESKTOP,
@@ -1273,7 +1284,7 @@ handle_set_selection (MetaDBusRemoteDesktopSession *skeleton,
   if (mime_types_variant)
     {
       g_autoptr (MetaSelectionSourceRemote) source_remote = NULL;
-      MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
+      MetaDisplay *display = display_from_session (session);
 
       source_remote = create_remote_desktop_source (session,
                                                     mime_types_variant,
@@ -1545,7 +1556,7 @@ handle_selection_read (MetaDBusRemoteDesktopSession *skeleton,
                        const char                   *mime_type)
 {
   MetaRemoteDesktopSession *session = META_REMOTE_DESKTOP_SESSION (skeleton);
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
+  MetaDisplay *display = display_from_session (session);
   MetaSelection *selection = meta_display_get_selection (display);
   MetaSelectionSource *source;
   g_autoptr (GError) error = NULL;
@@ -1680,7 +1691,7 @@ static void
 meta_remote_desktop_session_finalize (GObject *object)
 {
   MetaRemoteDesktopSession *session = META_REMOTE_DESKTOP_SESSION (object);
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
+  MetaDisplay *display = display_from_session (session);
   MetaSelection *selection = meta_display_get_selection (display);
 
   g_assert (!meta_remote_desktop_session_is_running (session));
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-renderer.c b/src/backends/meta-renderer.c
index 8808a52ef..cdf0038cd 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-renderer.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-renderer.c
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ static void
 meta_renderer_real_rebuild_views (MetaRenderer *renderer)
 {
   MetaRendererPrivate *priv = meta_renderer_get_instance_private (renderer);
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = priv->backend;
   MetaMonitorManager *monitor_manager =
     meta_backend_get_monitor_manager (backend);
   GList *logical_monitors, *l;
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-screen-cast-session.c b/src/backends/meta-screen-cast-session.c
index d96fb6709..16077880b 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-screen-cast-session.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-screen-cast-session.c
@@ -86,7 +86,8 @@ meta_screen_cast_session_handle_new (MetaScreenCastSession *session);
 static void
 init_remote_access_handle (MetaScreenCastSession *session)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend =
+    meta_screen_cast_get_backend (session->screen_cast);
   MetaRemoteAccessController *remote_access_controller;
   MetaRemoteAccessHandle *remote_access_handle;
 
@@ -323,7 +324,8 @@ handle_record_monitor (MetaDBusScreenCastSession *skeleton,
   MetaScreenCastSession *session = META_SCREEN_CAST_SESSION (skeleton);
   GDBusInterfaceSkeleton *interface_skeleton;
   GDBusConnection *connection;
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend =
+    meta_screen_cast_get_backend (session->screen_cast);
   MetaMonitorManager *monitor_manager =
     meta_backend_get_monitor_manager (backend);
   MetaMonitor *monitor;
@@ -422,6 +424,10 @@ handle_record_window (MetaDBusScreenCastSession *skeleton,
                       GVariant                  *properties_variant)
 {
   MetaScreenCastSession *session = META_SCREEN_CAST_SESSION (skeleton);
+  MetaBackend *backend =
+    meta_screen_cast_get_backend (session->screen_cast);
+  MetaContext *context = meta_backend_get_context (backend);
+  MetaDisplay *display = meta_context_get_display (context);
   GDBusInterfaceSkeleton *interface_skeleton;
   GDBusConnection *connection;
   MetaWindow *window;
@@ -429,7 +435,6 @@ handle_record_window (MetaDBusScreenCastSession *skeleton,
   gboolean is_recording;
   MetaScreenCastFlag flags;
   GError *error = NULL;
-  MetaDisplay *display;
   GVariant *window_id_variant = NULL;
   MetaScreenCastWindowStream *window_stream;
   MetaScreenCastStream *stream;
@@ -448,7 +453,6 @@ handle_record_window (MetaDBusScreenCastSession *skeleton,
                                                 "window-id",
                                                 G_VARIANT_TYPE ("t"));
 
-  display = meta_get_display ();
   if (window_id_variant)
     {
       uint64_t window_id;
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-backend-native.c b/src/backends/native/meta-backend-native.c
index 43e5b10a4..8ce7d7553 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-backend-native.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-backend-native.c
@@ -789,12 +789,14 @@ meta_backend_native_initable_init (GInitable     *initable,
           break;
         }
 
-      native->launcher = meta_launcher_new (session_id, seat_id, error);
+      native->launcher = meta_launcher_new (backend,
+                                            session_id, seat_id,
+                                            error);
       if (!native->launcher)
         return FALSE;
     }
 
-  native->device_pool = meta_device_pool_new (native->launcher);
+  native->device_pool = meta_device_pool_new (native);
   native->udev = meta_udev_new (native);
 
   kms_flags = META_KMS_FLAG_NONE;
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-kms.c b/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-kms.c
index 0bfd3f5ad..d7c61bb8f 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-kms.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-kms.c
@@ -525,6 +525,7 @@ meta_crtc_kms_new (MetaGpuKms  *gpu_kms,
                                                          kms_crtc);
   crtc_kms = g_object_new (META_TYPE_CRTC_KMS,
                            "id", (uint64_t) meta_kms_crtc_get_id (kms_crtc),
+                           "backend", meta_gpu_get_backend (gpu),
                            "gpu", gpu,
                            NULL);
 
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-virtual.c b/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-virtual.c
index aedda8ec2..7d473a0d7 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-virtual.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-virtual.c
@@ -31,9 +31,11 @@ struct _MetaCrtcVirtual
 G_DEFINE_TYPE (MetaCrtcVirtual, meta_crtc_virtual, META_TYPE_CRTC_NATIVE)
 
 MetaCrtcVirtual *
-meta_crtc_virtual_new (uint64_t id)
+meta_crtc_virtual_new (MetaBackend *backend,
+                       uint64_t     id)
 {
   return g_object_new (META_TYPE_CRTC_VIRTUAL,
+                       "backend", backend,
                        "id", META_CRTC_VIRTUAL_ID_BIT | id,
                        NULL);
 }
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-virtual.h b/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-virtual.h
index 89b1bcc7a..ffabd8958 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-virtual.h
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-crtc-virtual.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ G_DECLARE_FINAL_TYPE (MetaCrtcVirtual, meta_crtc_virtual,
                       META, CRTC_VIRTUAL,
                       MetaCrtcNative)
 
-MetaCrtcVirtual * meta_crtc_virtual_new (uint64_t id);
+MetaCrtcVirtual * meta_crtc_virtual_new (MetaBackend *backend,
+                                         uint64_t     id);
 
 #endif /* META_CRTC_VIRTUAL_H */
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool-private.h b/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool-private.h
index 06a43f6f4..d095ec308 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool-private.h
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool-private.h
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 
 #include <glib-object.h>
 
+#include "backends/native/meta-backend-native-types.h"
 #include "backends/native/meta-device-pool.h"
 #include "backends/native/meta-launcher.h"
 
@@ -30,6 +31,6 @@ G_DECLARE_FINAL_TYPE (MetaDevicePool, meta_device_pool,
                       META, DEVICE_POOL,
                       GObject)
 
-MetaDevicePool * meta_device_pool_new (MetaLauncher *launcher);
+MetaDevicePool * meta_device_pool_new (MetaBackendNative *backend_native);
 
 #endif /* META_DEVICE_POOL_PRIVATE_H */
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool.c b/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool.c
index e273917c2..f5968103d 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool.c
@@ -27,7 +27,9 @@
 #include <sys/sysmacros.h>
 #include <sys/types.h>
 
+#include "backends/native/meta-backend-native.h"
 #include "backends/native/meta-launcher.h"
+#include "meta/meta-backend.h"
 #include "meta/util.h"
 
 #include "meta-dbus-login1.h"
@@ -50,6 +52,8 @@ struct _MetaDevicePool
 {
   GObject parent;
 
+  MetaBackend *backend;
+
   MetaDbusLogin1Session *session_proxy;
 
   GMutex mutex;
@@ -351,12 +355,16 @@ release_device_file (MetaDevicePool *pool,
 }
 
 MetaDevicePool *
-meta_device_pool_new (MetaLauncher *launcher)
+meta_device_pool_new (MetaBackendNative *backend_native)
 {
   MetaDevicePool *pool;
+  MetaLauncher *launcher;
 
   pool = g_object_new (META_TYPE_DEVICE_POOL, NULL);
 
+  pool->backend = META_BACKEND (backend_native);
+
+  launcher = meta_backend_native_get_launcher (backend_native);
   if (launcher)
     pool->session_proxy = meta_launcher_get_session_proxy (launcher);
 
@@ -387,3 +395,9 @@ meta_device_pool_class_init (MetaDevicePoolClass *klass)
 
   object_class->finalize = meta_device_pool_finalize;
 }
+
+MetaBackend *
+meta_device_pool_get_backend (MetaDevicePool *pool)
+{
+  return pool->backend;
+}
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool.h b/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool.h
index ee417b2e5..d44105f8d 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool.h
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-device-pool.h
@@ -68,6 +68,8 @@ MetaDeviceFile * meta_device_pool_open (MetaDevicePool       *pool,
                                         MetaDeviceFileFlags   flags,
                                         GError              **error);
 
+MetaBackend * meta_device_pool_get_backend (MetaDevicePool *pool);
+
 G_DEFINE_AUTOPTR_CLEANUP_FUNC (MetaDeviceFile, meta_device_file_release)
 
 #endif /* META_DEVICE_FILE_POOL_H */
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-drm-buffer-gbm.c b/src/backends/native/meta-drm-buffer-gbm.c
index 8c27993a6..17d18115f 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-drm-buffer-gbm.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-drm-buffer-gbm.c
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
 
 #include "backends/meta-backend-private.h"
 #include "backends/native/meta-cogl-utils.h"
+#include "backends/native/meta-device-pool.h"
 #include "backends/native/meta-drm-buffer-private.h"
 
 struct _MetaDrmBufferGbm
@@ -236,7 +237,9 @@ meta_drm_buffer_gbm_fill_timings (MetaDrmBuffer  *buffer,
                                   GError        **error)
 {
   MetaDrmBufferGbm *buffer_gbm = META_DRM_BUFFER_GBM (buffer);
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaDeviceFile *device_file = meta_drm_buffer_get_device_file (buffer);
+  MetaDevicePool *device_pool = meta_device_file_get_pool (device_file);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_device_pool_get_backend (device_pool);
   MetaEgl *egl = meta_backend_get_egl (backend);
   ClutterBackend *clutter_backend =
     meta_backend_get_clutter_backend (backend);
@@ -354,7 +357,10 @@ meta_drm_buffer_gbm_blit_to_framebuffer (CoglScanout      *scanout,
                                          GError          **error)
 {
   MetaDrmBufferGbm *buffer_gbm = META_DRM_BUFFER_GBM (scanout);
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaDrmBuffer *buffer = META_DRM_BUFFER (buffer_gbm);
+  MetaDeviceFile *device_file = meta_drm_buffer_get_device_file (buffer);
+  MetaDevicePool *device_pool = meta_device_file_get_pool (device_file);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_device_pool_get_backend (device_pool);
   MetaEgl *egl = meta_backend_get_egl (backend);
   ClutterBackend *clutter_backend =
     meta_backend_get_clutter_backend (backend);
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-input-device-native.c b/src/backends/native/meta-input-device-native.c
index f0d326183..f00064296 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-input-device-native.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-input-device-native.c
@@ -1461,6 +1461,7 @@ meta_input_device_native_new_in_impl (MetaSeatImpl           *seat_impl,
     }
 
   device = g_object_new (META_TYPE_INPUT_DEVICE_NATIVE,
+                         "backend", meta_seat_impl_get_backend (seat_impl),
                          "name", libinput_device_get_name (libinput_device),
                          "device-type", type,
                          "capabilities", capabilities,
@@ -1532,6 +1533,7 @@ meta_input_device_native_new_virtual (MetaSeatImpl           *seat_impl,
     };
 
   device = g_object_new (META_TYPE_INPUT_DEVICE_NATIVE,
+                         "backend", meta_seat_impl_get_backend (seat_impl),
                          "name", name,
                          "device-type", type,
                          "device-mode", mode,
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-input-settings-native.c b/src/backends/native/meta-input-settings-native.c
index 717b68fd8..7fbe49f88 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-input-settings-native.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-input-settings-native.c
@@ -831,6 +831,7 @@ MetaInputSettings *
 meta_input_settings_native_new_in_impl (MetaSeatImpl *seat_impl)
 {
   return g_object_new (META_TYPE_INPUT_SETTINGS_NATIVE,
+                       "backend", meta_seat_impl_get_backend (seat_impl),
                        "seat-impl", seat_impl,
                        NULL);
 }
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-launcher.c b/src/backends/native/meta-launcher.c
index e968baeed..da202ed31 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-launcher.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-launcher.c
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@
 
 struct _MetaLauncher
 {
+  MetaBackend *backend;
+
   MetaDbusLogin1Session *session_proxy;
   MetaDbusLogin1Seat *seat_proxy;
   char *seat_id;
@@ -309,7 +311,7 @@ get_seat_proxy (gchar        *seat_id,
 static void
 sync_active (MetaLauncher *self)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = self->backend;
   MetaBackendNative *backend_native = META_BACKEND_NATIVE (backend);
   MetaDbusLogin1Session *session_proxy = self->session_proxy;
   gboolean active;
@@ -371,9 +373,10 @@ meta_launcher_get_session_proxy (MetaLauncher *launcher)
 }
 
 MetaLauncher *
-meta_launcher_new (const char  *fallback_session_id,
-                   const char  *fallback_seat_id,
-                   GError     **error)
+meta_launcher_new (MetaBackend  *backend,
+                   const char   *fallback_session_id,
+                   const char   *fallback_seat_id,
+                   GError      **error)
 {
   MetaLauncher *self = NULL;
   g_autoptr (MetaDbusLogin1Session) session_proxy = NULL;
@@ -420,6 +423,7 @@ meta_launcher_new (const char  *fallback_session_id,
     goto fail;
 
   self = g_new0 (MetaLauncher, 1);
+  self->backend = backend;
   self->session_proxy = g_object_ref (session_proxy);
   self->seat_proxy = g_object_ref (seat_proxy);
   self->seat_id = g_steal_pointer (&seat_id);
@@ -455,3 +459,9 @@ meta_launcher_activate_vt (MetaLauncher  *launcher,
   return meta_dbus_login1_seat_call_switch_to_sync (launcher->seat_proxy, vt,
                                                     NULL, error);
 }
+
+MetaBackend *
+meta_launcher_get_backend (MetaLauncher *launcher)
+{
+  return launcher->backend;
+}
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-launcher.h b/src/backends/native/meta-launcher.h
index 670699a4b..87363b789 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-launcher.h
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-launcher.h
@@ -22,10 +22,13 @@
 
 #include <glib-object.h>
 
+#include "backends/meta-backend-types.h"
+
 typedef struct _MetaLauncher MetaLauncher;
 typedef struct _MetaDbusLogin1Session MetaDbusLogin1Session;
 
-MetaLauncher     *meta_launcher_new                     (const char    *session_id,
+MetaLauncher     *meta_launcher_new                     (MetaBackend   *backend,
+                                                         const char    *session_id,
                                                          const char    *custom_seat_id,
                                                          GError       **error);
 void              meta_launcher_free                    (MetaLauncher  *self);
@@ -38,5 +41,7 @@ const char *      meta_launcher_get_seat_id             (MetaLauncher *launcher)
 
 MetaDbusLogin1Session * meta_launcher_get_session_proxy (MetaLauncher *launcher);
 
+MetaBackend * meta_launcher_get_backend (MetaLauncher *launcher);
+
 
 #endif /* META_LAUNCHER_H */
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-monitor-manager-native.c b/src/backends/native/meta-monitor-manager-native.c
index 630503cb0..ea1b6c220 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-monitor-manager-native.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-monitor-manager-native.c
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ meta_monitor_manager_native_apply_monitors_config (MetaMonitorManager        *ma
     {
       if (!manager->in_init)
         {
-          MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+          MetaBackend *backend = meta_monitor_manager_get_backend (manager);
           MetaRenderer *renderer = meta_backend_get_renderer (backend);
 
           meta_renderer_native_reset_modes (META_RENDERER_NATIVE (renderer));
@@ -628,13 +628,14 @@ meta_monitor_manager_native_create_virtual_monitor (MetaMonitorManager
                                                     const MetaVirtualMonitorInfo  *info,
                                                     GError                       **error)
 {
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_monitor_manager_get_backend (manager);
   MetaMonitorManagerNative *manager_native =
     META_MONITOR_MANAGER_NATIVE (manager);
   MetaVirtualMonitorNative *virtual_monitor_native;
   uint64_t id;
 
   id = allocate_virtual_monitor_id (manager_native);
-  virtual_monitor_native = meta_virtual_monitor_native_new (id, info);
+  virtual_monitor_native = meta_virtual_monitor_native_new (backend, id, info);
   g_signal_connect (virtual_monitor_native, "notify::crtc-mode",
                     G_CALLBACK (on_virtual_monitor_mode_changed),
                     manager);
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-renderer-native.c b/src/backends/native/meta-renderer-native.c
index e27805d91..b26235968 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-renderer-native.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-renderer-native.c
@@ -415,7 +415,8 @@ meta_renderer_native_choose_egl_config (CoglDisplay  *cogl_display,
 {
   CoglRenderer *cogl_renderer = cogl_display->renderer;
   CoglRendererEGL *cogl_renderer_egl = cogl_renderer->winsys;
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaRenderer *renderer = cogl_renderer->custom_winsys_user_data;
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_renderer_get_backend (renderer);
   MetaEgl *egl = meta_backend_get_egl (backend);
   MetaRendererNativeGpuData *renderer_gpu_data = cogl_renderer_egl->platform;
   EGLDisplay egl_display = cogl_renderer_egl->edpy;
@@ -486,10 +487,12 @@ meta_renderer_native_destroy_egl_display (CoglDisplay *cogl_display)
 }
 
 static EGLSurface
-create_dummy_pbuffer_surface (EGLDisplay egl_display,
-                              GError   **error)
+create_dummy_pbuffer_surface (CoglRenderer  *cogl_renderer,
+                              EGLDisplay     egl_display,
+                              GError       **error)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaRenderer *renderer = cogl_renderer->custom_winsys_user_data;
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_renderer_get_backend (renderer);
   MetaEgl *egl = meta_backend_get_egl (backend);
   EGLConfig pbuffer_config;
   static const EGLint pbuffer_config_attribs[] = {
@@ -528,7 +531,9 @@ meta_renderer_native_egl_context_created (CoglDisplay *cogl_display,
        COGL_EGL_WINSYS_FEATURE_SURFACELESS_CONTEXT) == 0)
     {
       cogl_display_egl->dummy_surface =
-        create_dummy_pbuffer_surface (cogl_renderer_egl->edpy, error);
+        create_dummy_pbuffer_surface (cogl_renderer,
+                                      cogl_renderer_egl->edpy,
+                                      error);
       if (cogl_display_egl->dummy_surface == EGL_NO_SURFACE)
         return FALSE;
     }
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-seat-impl.c b/src/backends/native/meta-seat-impl.c
index 886cfc497..83c6546ad 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-seat-impl.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-seat-impl.c
@@ -3747,3 +3747,9 @@ meta_seat_impl_get_input_settings (MetaSeatImpl *seat_impl)
 {
   return seat_impl->input_settings;
 }
+
+MetaBackend *
+meta_seat_impl_get_backend (MetaSeatImpl *seat_impl)
+{
+  return meta_seat_native_get_backend (seat_impl->seat_native);
+}
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-seat-impl.h b/src/backends/native/meta-seat-impl.h
index fee0bd638..ff614586a 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-seat-impl.h
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-seat-impl.h
@@ -252,4 +252,6 @@ void meta_seat_impl_queue_main_thread_idle (MetaSeatImpl   *seat_impl,
                                             gpointer        user_data,
                                             GDestroyNotify  destroy_notify);
 
+MetaBackend * meta_seat_impl_get_backend (MetaSeatImpl *seat_impl);
+
 #endif /* META_SEAT_IMPL_H */
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-seat-native.c b/src/backends/native/meta-seat-native.c
index 0a318f9cf..7cf18b997 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-seat-native.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-seat-native.c
@@ -261,7 +261,9 @@ meta_seat_native_peek_devices (ClutterSeat *seat)
 static void
 meta_seat_native_bell_notify (ClutterSeat *seat)
 {
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
+  MetaSeatNative *seat_native = META_SEAT_NATIVE (seat);
+  MetaContext *context = meta_backend_get_context (seat_native->backend);
+  MetaDisplay *display = meta_context_get_display (context);
 
   meta_bell_notify (display, NULL);
 }
@@ -595,7 +597,7 @@ meta_seat_native_maybe_ensure_cursor_renderer (MetaSeatNative     *seat_native,
           MetaCursorRendererNative *cursor_renderer_native;
 
           cursor_renderer_native =
-            meta_cursor_renderer_native_new (meta_get_backend (),
+            meta_cursor_renderer_native_new (seat_native->backend,
                                              seat_native->core_pointer);
           seat_native->cursor_renderer =
             META_CURSOR_RENDERER (cursor_renderer_native);
@@ -622,7 +624,7 @@ meta_seat_native_maybe_ensure_cursor_renderer (MetaSeatNative     *seat_native,
 
       if (!cursor_renderer)
         {
-          cursor_renderer = meta_cursor_renderer_new (meta_get_backend (),
+          cursor_renderer = meta_cursor_renderer_new (seat_native->backend,
                                                       device);
           g_hash_table_insert (seat_native->tablet_cursors,
                                device, cursor_renderer);
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-stage-native.c b/src/backends/native/meta-stage-native.c
index e1f9fedb2..7aad9b643 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-stage-native.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-stage-native.c
@@ -59,7 +59,8 @@ G_DEFINE_TYPE_WITH_CODE (MetaStageNative, meta_stage_native,
 void
 meta_stage_native_rebuild_views (MetaStageNative *stage_native)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaStageImpl *stage_impl = META_STAGE_IMPL (stage_native);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_stage_impl_get_backend (stage_impl);
   MetaRenderer *renderer = meta_backend_get_renderer (backend);
   ClutterActor *stage = meta_backend_get_stage (backend);
 
@@ -77,7 +78,8 @@ static void
 meta_stage_native_get_geometry (ClutterStageWindow    *stage_window,
                                 cairo_rectangle_int_t *geometry)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaStageImpl *stage_impl = META_STAGE_IMPL (stage_window);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_stage_impl_get_backend (stage_impl);
   MetaMonitorManager *monitor_manager =
     meta_backend_get_monitor_manager (backend);
 
@@ -103,7 +105,8 @@ meta_stage_native_get_geometry (ClutterStageWindow    *stage_window,
 static GList *
 meta_stage_native_get_views (ClutterStageWindow *stage_window)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaStageImpl *stage_impl = META_STAGE_IMPL (stage_window);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_stage_impl_get_backend (stage_impl);
   MetaRenderer *renderer = meta_backend_get_renderer (backend);
 
   return meta_renderer_get_views (renderer);
@@ -114,7 +117,8 @@ meta_stage_native_prepare_frame (ClutterStageWindow *stage_window,
                                  ClutterStageView   *stage_view,
                                  ClutterFrame       *frame)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaStageImpl *stage_impl = META_STAGE_IMPL (stage_window);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_stage_impl_get_backend (stage_impl);
   MetaRenderer *renderer = meta_backend_get_renderer (backend);
   MetaRendererNative *renderer_native = META_RENDERER_NATIVE (renderer);
   MetaCursorRenderer *cursor_renderer =
@@ -152,7 +156,8 @@ meta_stage_native_finish_frame (ClutterStageWindow *stage_window,
                                 ClutterStageView   *stage_view,
                                 ClutterFrame       *frame)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaStageImpl *stage_impl = META_STAGE_IMPL (stage_window);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_stage_impl_get_backend (stage_impl);
   MetaRenderer *renderer = meta_backend_get_renderer (backend);
 
   meta_renderer_native_finish_frame (META_RENDERER_NATIVE (renderer),
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-virtual-monitor-native.c b/src/backends/native/meta-virtual-monitor-native.c
index 97eff0ee6..4243c4e7b 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-virtual-monitor-native.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-virtual-monitor-native.c
@@ -72,7 +72,8 @@ meta_virtual_monitor_native_get_id (MetaVirtualMonitorNative *virtual_monitor_na
 }
 
 MetaVirtualMonitorNative *
-meta_virtual_monitor_native_new (uint64_t                      id,
+meta_virtual_monitor_native_new (MetaBackend                  *backend,
+                                 uint64_t                      id,
                                  const MetaVirtualMonitorInfo *info)
 {
   MetaVirtualMonitorNative *virtual_monitor_native;
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ meta_virtual_monitor_native_new (uint64_t                      id,
   MetaCrtcModeVirtual *crtc_mode_virtual;
   MetaOutputVirtual *output_virtual;
 
-  crtc_virtual = meta_crtc_virtual_new (id);
+  crtc_virtual = meta_crtc_virtual_new (backend, id);
   crtc_mode_virtual = meta_crtc_mode_virtual_new (mode_id++, &info->mode_info);
   output_virtual = meta_output_virtual_new (id, info,
                                             crtc_virtual,
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-virtual-monitor-native.h b/src/backends/native/meta-virtual-monitor-native.h
index d1a0ced64..d413b3d8b 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-virtual-monitor-native.h
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-virtual-monitor-native.h
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ MetaCrtc * meta_virtual_monitor_native_get_crtc (MetaVirtualMonitorNative *virtu
 
 MetaOutput * meta_virtual_monitor_native_get_output (MetaVirtualMonitorNative *virtual_monitor_native);
 
-MetaVirtualMonitorNative * meta_virtual_monitor_native_new (uint64_t                      id,
+MetaVirtualMonitorNative * meta_virtual_monitor_native_new (MetaBackend                  *backend,
+                                                            uint64_t                      id,
                                                             const MetaVirtualMonitorInfo *info);
 
 #endif /* META_VIRTUAL_MONITOR_NATIVE_H */
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/cm/meta-backend-x11-cm.c b/src/backends/x11/cm/meta-backend-x11-cm.c
index d5c49a712..2bd4caf34 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/cm/meta-backend-x11-cm.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/cm/meta-backend-x11-cm.c
@@ -110,7 +110,9 @@ meta_backend_x11_cm_post_init (MetaBackend *backend)
   g_signal_connect_object (seat, "device-added",
                            G_CALLBACK (on_device_added), backend, 0);
 
-  x11_cm->input_settings = g_object_new (META_TYPE_INPUT_SETTINGS_X11, NULL);
+  x11_cm->input_settings = g_object_new (META_TYPE_INPUT_SETTINGS_X11,
+                                         "backend", backend,
+                                         NULL);
 
   parent_backend_class->post_init (backend);
   take_touch_grab (backend);
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/meta-backend-x11.c b/src/backends/x11/meta-backend-x11.c
index 8d4430525..0f7fe08a7 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/meta-backend-x11.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/meta-backend-x11.c
@@ -346,6 +346,7 @@ handle_host_xevent (MetaBackend *backend,
 {
   MetaBackendX11 *x11 = META_BACKEND_X11 (backend);
   MetaBackendX11Private *priv = meta_backend_x11_get_instance_private (x11);
+  MetaContext *context = meta_backend_get_context (backend);
   gboolean bypass_clutter = FALSE;
   MetaDisplay *display;
 
@@ -362,7 +363,7 @@ handle_host_xevent (MetaBackend *backend,
 
   XGetEventData (priv->xdisplay, &event->xcookie);
 
-  display = meta_get_display ();
+  display = meta_context_get_display (context);
   if (display)
     {
       MetaCompositor *compositor = display->compositor;
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/meta-crtc-xrandr.c b/src/backends/x11/meta-crtc-xrandr.c
index c9104002f..9ffc001d1 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/meta-crtc-xrandr.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/meta-crtc-xrandr.c
@@ -245,6 +245,7 @@ meta_crtc_xrandr_new (MetaGpuXrandr      *gpu_xrandr,
     meta_monitor_transform_from_xrandr_all (xrandr_crtc->rotations);
   crtc_xrandr = g_object_new (META_TYPE_CRTC_XRANDR,
                               "id", (uint64_t) crtc_id,
+                              "backend", backend,
                               "gpu", gpu,
                               "all-transforms", all_transforms,
                               NULL);
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/meta-cursor-renderer-x11.c b/src/backends/x11/meta-cursor-renderer-x11.c
index 4d81f8027..5a7e771b9 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/meta-cursor-renderer-x11.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/meta-cursor-renderer-x11.c
@@ -46,10 +46,10 @@ meta_cursor_renderer_x11_update_cursor (MetaCursorRenderer *renderer,
 {
   MetaCursorRendererX11 *x11 = META_CURSOR_RENDERER_X11 (renderer);
   MetaCursorRendererX11Private *priv = meta_cursor_renderer_x11_get_instance_private (x11);
-
-  MetaBackendX11 *backend = META_BACKEND_X11 (meta_get_backend ());
-  Window xwindow = meta_backend_x11_get_xwindow (backend);
-  Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (backend);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_cursor_renderer_get_backend (renderer);
+  MetaBackendX11 *backend_x11 = META_BACKEND_X11 (backend);
+  Window xwindow = meta_backend_x11_get_xwindow (backend_x11);
+  Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (backend_x11);
 
   if (xwindow == None)
     {
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/meta-cursor-tracker-x11.c b/src/backends/x11/meta-cursor-tracker-x11.c
index e01046d80..8b88c32b2 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/meta-cursor-tracker-x11.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/meta-cursor-tracker-x11.c
@@ -49,7 +49,11 @@ gboolean
 meta_cursor_tracker_x11_handle_xevent (MetaCursorTrackerX11 *tracker_x11,
                                        XEvent               *xevent)
 {
-  MetaX11Display *x11_display = meta_get_display ()->x11_display;
+  MetaCursorTracker *tracker = META_CURSOR_TRACKER (tracker_x11);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_cursor_tracker_get_backend (tracker);
+  MetaContext *context = meta_backend_get_context (backend);
+  MetaDisplay *display = meta_context_get_display (context);
+  MetaX11Display *x11_display = meta_display_get_x11_display (display);
   XFixesCursorNotifyEvent *notify_event;
 
   if (xevent->xany.type != x11_display->xfixes_event_base + XFixesCursorNotify)
@@ -76,7 +80,10 @@ update_position (MetaCursorTrackerX11 *tracker_x11)
 static gboolean
 ensure_xfixes_cursor (MetaCursorTrackerX11 *tracker_x11)
 {
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
+  MetaCursorTracker *tracker = META_CURSOR_TRACKER (tracker_x11);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_cursor_tracker_get_backend (tracker);
+  MetaContext *context = meta_backend_get_context (backend);
+  MetaDisplay *display = meta_context_get_display (context);
   MetaCursorTracker *cursor_tracker;
   g_autoptr (GError) error = NULL;
 
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/meta-input-settings-x11.c b/src/backends/x11/meta-input-settings-x11.c
index d14815a07..c571d4c9d 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/meta-input-settings-x11.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/meta-input-settings-x11.c
@@ -36,6 +36,12 @@
 #include "core/display-private.h"
 #include "meta/meta-x11-errors.h"
 
+typedef struct
+{
+  MetaInputSettings *settings;
+  XDevice *xdev;
+} DeviceHandle;
+
 G_DEFINE_TYPE (MetaInputSettingsX11, meta_input_settings_x11,
                META_TYPE_INPUT_SETTINGS)
 
@@ -47,24 +53,44 @@ typedef enum
   SCROLL_METHOD_NUM_FIELDS
 } ScrollMethod;
 
-static void
-device_free_xdevice (gpointer user_data)
+static MetaBackend *
+get_backend (MetaInputSettings *settings)
 {
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  return meta_input_settings_get_backend (settings);
+}
+
+static MetaDisplay *
+get_display (MetaInputSettings *settings)
+{
+  MetaBackend *backend = get_backend (settings);
+  MetaContext *context = meta_backend_get_context (backend);
+
+  return meta_context_get_display (context);
+}
+
+static void
+device_handle_free (gpointer user_data)
+{
+  DeviceHandle *handle = user_data;
+  MetaInputSettings *settings = handle->settings;
+  MetaDisplay *display = get_display (settings);
+  MetaBackend *backend = get_backend (settings);
   Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (META_BACKEND_X11 (backend));
   XDevice *xdev = user_data;
 
   meta_x11_error_trap_push (display->x11_display);
   XCloseDevice (xdisplay, xdev);
   meta_x11_error_trap_pop (display->x11_display);
+
+  g_free (handle);
 }
 
 static XDevice *
-device_ensure_xdevice (ClutterInputDevice *device)
+device_ensure_xdevice (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
+                       ClutterInputDevice *device)
 {
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaDisplay *display = get_display (settings);
+  MetaBackend *backend = get_backend (settings);
   Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (META_BACKEND_X11 (backend));
   int device_id = meta_input_device_x11_get_device_id (device);
   XDevice *xdev = NULL;
@@ -79,9 +105,14 @@ device_ensure_xdevice (ClutterInputDevice *device)
 
   if (xdev)
     {
+      DeviceHandle *handle;
+
+      handle = g_new0 (DeviceHandle, 1);
+      handle->settings = settings;
+      handle->xdev = xdev;
       g_object_set_data_full (G_OBJECT (device),
                               "meta-input-settings-xdevice",
-                              xdev, device_free_xdevice);
+                              handle, device_handle_free);
     }
 
   return xdev;
@@ -94,7 +125,8 @@ get_property (ClutterInputDevice *device,
               int                 format,
               gulong              nitems)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaInputDevice *input_device = META_INPUT_DEVICE (device);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_input_device_get_backend (input_device);
   Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (META_BACKEND_X11 (backend));
   gulong nitems_ret, bytes_after_ret;
   int rc, device_id, format_ret;
@@ -126,14 +158,15 @@ get_property (ClutterInputDevice *device,
 }
 
 static void
-change_property (ClutterInputDevice *device,
+change_property (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
+                 ClutterInputDevice *device,
                  const gchar        *property,
                  Atom                type,
                  int                 format,
                  void               *data,
                  gulong              nitems)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = get_backend (settings);
   Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (META_BACKEND_X11 (backend));
   int device_id;
   Atom property_atom;
@@ -183,7 +216,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_send_events (MetaInputSettings        *settings,
     g_warning ("Device '%s' does not support sendevents mode %d",
                clutter_input_device_get_device_name (device), mode);
   else
-    change_property (device, "libinput Send Events Mode Enabled",
+    change_property (settings, device, "libinput Send Events Mode Enabled",
                      XA_INTEGER, 8, &values, 2);
 
   meta_XFree (available);
@@ -194,13 +227,13 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_matrix (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
                                     ClutterInputDevice *device,
                                     const float         matrix[6])
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = get_backend (settings);
   Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (META_BACKEND_X11 (backend));
   gfloat full_matrix[9] = { matrix[0], matrix[1], matrix[2],
                             matrix[3], matrix[4], matrix[5],
                             0, 0, 1 };
 
-  change_property (device, "Coordinate Transformation Matrix",
+  change_property (settings, device, "Coordinate Transformation Matrix",
                    XInternAtom (xdisplay, "FLOAT", False),
                    32, &full_matrix, 9);
 }
@@ -210,11 +243,11 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_speed (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
                                    ClutterInputDevice *device,
                                    gdouble             speed)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = get_backend (settings);
   Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (META_BACKEND_X11 (backend));
   gfloat value = speed;
 
-  change_property (device, "libinput Accel Speed",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Accel Speed",
                    XInternAtom (xdisplay, "FLOAT", False),
                    32, &value, 1);
 }
@@ -234,13 +267,13 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_left_handed (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
       device_type == CLUTTER_ERASER_DEVICE)
     {
       value = enabled ? 3 : 0;
-      change_property (device, "Wacom Rotation",
+      change_property (settings, device, "Wacom Rotation",
                        XA_INTEGER, 8, &value, 1);
     }
   else
     {
       value = enabled ? 1 : 0;
-      change_property (device, "libinput Left Handed Enabled",
+      change_property (settings, device, "libinput Left Handed Enabled",
                        XA_INTEGER, 8, &value, 1);
     }
 }
@@ -252,7 +285,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_disable_while_typing (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
 {
   guchar value = (enabled) ? 1 : 0;
 
-  change_property (device, "libinput Disable While Typing Enabled",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Disable While Typing Enabled",
                    XA_INTEGER, 8, &value, 1);
 }
 
@@ -263,7 +296,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_tap_enabled (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
 {
   guchar value = (enabled) ? 1 : 0;
 
-  change_property (device, "libinput Tapping Enabled",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Tapping Enabled",
                    XA_INTEGER, 8, &value, 1);
 }
 
@@ -274,7 +307,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_tap_and_drag_enabled (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
 {
   guchar value = (enabled) ? 1 : 0;
 
-  change_property (device, "libinput Tapping Drag Enabled",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Tapping Drag Enabled",
                    XA_INTEGER, 8, &value, 1);
 }
 
@@ -285,7 +318,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_tap_and_drag_lock_enabled (MetaInputSettings  *setti
 {
   guchar value = (enabled) ? 1 : 0;
 
-  change_property (device, "libinput Tapping Drag Lock Enabled",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Tapping Drag Lock Enabled",
                    XA_INTEGER, 8, &value, 1);
 }
 
@@ -296,14 +329,15 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_invert_scroll (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
 {
   guchar value = (inverted) ? 1 : 0;
 
-  change_property (device, "libinput Natural Scrolling Enabled",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Natural Scrolling Enabled",
                    XA_INTEGER, 8, &value, 1);
 }
 
 static void
-change_scroll_method (ClutterInputDevice           *device,
-                      ScrollMethod                 method,
-                      gboolean                     enabled)
+change_scroll_method (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
+                      ClutterInputDevice *device,
+                      ScrollMethod        method,
+                      gboolean            enabled)
 {
   guchar values[SCROLL_METHOD_NUM_FIELDS] = { 0 }; /* 2fg, edge, button. The last value is unused */
   guchar *current = NULL;
@@ -322,7 +356,7 @@ change_scroll_method (ClutterInputDevice           *device,
   memcpy (values, current, SCROLL_METHOD_NUM_FIELDS);
 
   values[method] = !!enabled;
-  change_property (device, "libinput Scroll Method Enabled",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Scroll Method Enabled",
                    XA_INTEGER, 8, &values, SCROLL_METHOD_NUM_FIELDS);
  out:
   meta_XFree (current);
@@ -334,7 +368,8 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_edge_scroll (MetaInputSettings            *settings,
                                          ClutterInputDevice           *device,
                                          gboolean                      edge_scroll_enabled)
 {
-  change_scroll_method (device, SCROLL_METHOD_FIELD_EDGE, edge_scroll_enabled);
+  change_scroll_method (settings, device,
+                        SCROLL_METHOD_FIELD_EDGE, edge_scroll_enabled);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -342,7 +377,8 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_two_finger_scroll (MetaInputSettings            *set
                                                ClutterInputDevice           *device,
                                                gboolean                      two_finger_scroll_enabled)
 {
-  change_scroll_method (device, SCROLL_METHOD_FIELD_2FG, two_finger_scroll_enabled);
+  change_scroll_method (settings, device,
+                        SCROLL_METHOD_FIELD_2FG, two_finger_scroll_enabled);
 }
 
 static gboolean
@@ -369,10 +405,11 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_scroll_button (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
 {
   gchar lock = button_lock;
 
-  change_scroll_method (device, SCROLL_METHOD_FIELD_BUTTON, button != 0);
-  change_property (device, "libinput Button Scrolling Button",
+  change_scroll_method (settings, device,
+                        SCROLL_METHOD_FIELD_BUTTON, button != 0);
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Button Scrolling Button",
                    XA_CARDINAL, 32, &button, 1);
-  change_property (device, "libinput Button Scrolling Button Lock Enabled",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Button Scrolling Button Lock Enabled",
                    XA_INTEGER, 8, &lock, 1);
 }
 
@@ -416,7 +453,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_click_method (MetaInputSettings           *settings,
     g_warning ("Device '%s' does not support click method %d",
                clutter_input_device_get_device_name (device), mode);
   else
-    change_property (device, "libinput Click Method Enabled",
+    change_property (settings, device, "libinput Click Method Enabled",
                      XA_INTEGER, 8, &values, 2);
 
   meta_XFree(available);
@@ -452,7 +489,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_tap_button_map (MetaInputSettings            *settin
   }
 
   if (values[0] || values[1])
-    change_property (device, "libinput Tapping Button Mapping Enabled",
+    change_property (settings, device, "libinput Tapping Button Mapping Enabled",
                      XA_INTEGER, 8, &values, 2);
 }
 
@@ -462,7 +499,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_keyboard_repeat (MetaInputSettings *settings,
                                              guint              delay,
                                              guint              interval)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = get_backend (settings);
   Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (META_BACKEND_X11 (backend));
 
   if (enabled)
@@ -477,8 +514,9 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_keyboard_repeat (MetaInputSettings *settings,
 }
 
 static void
-set_device_accel_profile (ClutterInputDevice         *device,
-                          GDesktopPointerAccelProfile profile)
+set_device_accel_profile (MetaInputSettings           *settings,
+                          ClutterInputDevice          *device,
+                          GDesktopPointerAccelProfile  profile)
 {
   guchar *defaults, *available;
   guchar values[2] = { 0 }; /* adaptive, flat */
@@ -512,7 +550,7 @@ set_device_accel_profile (ClutterInputDevice         *device,
       break;
     }
 
-  change_property (device, "libinput Accel Profile Enabled",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Accel Profile Enabled",
                    XA_INTEGER, 8, &values, 2);
 
   meta_XFree (available);
@@ -535,7 +573,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_mouse_accel_profile (MetaInputSettings          *set
         CLUTTER_INPUT_CAPABILITY_TRACKPOINT)) != 0)
     return;
 
-  set_device_accel_profile (device, profile);
+  set_device_accel_profile (settings, device, profile);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -548,7 +586,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_trackball_accel_profile (MetaInputSettings
   if ((caps & CLUTTER_INPUT_CAPABILITY_TRACKBALL) == 0)
     return;
 
-  set_device_accel_profile (device, profile);
+  set_device_accel_profile (settings, device, profile);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -556,8 +594,8 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_tablet_mapping (MetaInputSettings     *settings,
                                             ClutterInputDevice    *device,
                                             GDesktopTabletMapping  mapping)
 {
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaDisplay *display = get_display (settings);
+  MetaBackend *backend = get_backend (settings);
   Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (META_BACKEND_X11 (backend));
   XDevice *xdev;
 
@@ -566,7 +604,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_tablet_mapping (MetaInputSettings     *settings,
 
   /* Grab the puke bucket! */
   meta_x11_error_trap_push (display->x11_display);
-  xdev = device_ensure_xdevice (device);
+  xdev = device_ensure_xdevice (settings, device);
   if (xdev)
     {
       XSetDeviceMode (xdisplay, xdev,
@@ -582,13 +620,14 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_tablet_mapping (MetaInputSettings     *settings,
 }
 
 static gboolean
-device_query_area (ClutterInputDevice *device,
+device_query_area (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
+                   ClutterInputDevice *device,
                    gint               *x,
                    gint               *y,
                    gint               *width,
                    gint               *height)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = get_backend (settings);
   Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (META_BACKEND_X11 (backend));
   gint device_id, n_devices, i;
   XIDeviceInfo *info;
@@ -630,7 +669,7 @@ update_tablet_area (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
                     ClutterInputDevice *device,
                     gint32             *area)
 {
-  change_property (device, "Wacom Tablet Area",
+  change_property (settings, device, "Wacom Tablet Area",
                    XA_INTEGER, 32, area, 4);
 }
 
@@ -644,7 +683,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_tablet_area (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
 {
   gint32 x, y, width, height, area[4] = { 0 };
 
-  if (!device_query_area (device, &x, &y, &width, &height))
+  if (!device_query_area (settings, device, &x, &y, &width, &height))
     return;
 
   area[0] = (width * padding_left) + x;
@@ -661,7 +700,8 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_tablet_aspect_ratio (MetaInputSettings  *settings,
 {
   int32_t dev_x, dev_y, dev_width, dev_height, area[4] = { 0 };
 
-  if (!device_query_area (device, &dev_x, &dev_y, &dev_width, &dev_height))
+  if (!device_query_area (settings, device,
+                          &dev_x, &dev_y, &dev_width, &dev_height))
     return;
 
   if (aspect_ratio > 0)
@@ -711,8 +751,8 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_stylus_button_map (MetaInputSettings          *setti
                                                GDesktopStylusButtonAction  secondary,
                                                GDesktopStylusButtonAction  tertiary)
 {
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaDisplay *display = get_display (settings);
+  MetaBackend *backend = get_backend (settings);
   Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (META_BACKEND_X11 (backend));
   XDevice *xdev;
 
@@ -721,7 +761,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_stylus_button_map (MetaInputSettings          *setti
 
   /* Grab the puke bucket! */
   meta_x11_error_trap_push (display->x11_display);
-  xdev = device_ensure_xdevice (device);
+  xdev = device_ensure_xdevice (settings, device);
   if (xdev)
     {
       guchar map[8] = {
@@ -761,7 +801,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_mouse_middle_click_emulation (MetaInputSettings  *se
         CLUTTER_INPUT_CAPABILITY_TRACKPOINT)) != 0)
     return;
 
-  change_property (device, "libinput Middle Emulation Enabled",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Middle Emulation Enabled",
                    XA_INTEGER, 8, &value, 1);
 }
 
@@ -776,7 +816,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_touchpad_middle_click_emulation (MetaInputSettings
   if ((caps & CLUTTER_INPUT_CAPABILITY_TOUCHPAD) == 0)
     return;
 
-  change_property (device, "libinput Middle Emulation Enabled",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Middle Emulation Enabled",
                    XA_INTEGER, 8, &value, 1);
 }
 
@@ -791,7 +831,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_trackball_middle_click_emulation (MetaInputSettings
   if ((caps & CLUTTER_INPUT_CAPABILITY_TRACKBALL) == 0)
     return;
 
-  change_property (device, "libinput Middle Emulation Enabled",
+  change_property (settings, device, "libinput Middle Emulation Enabled",
                    XA_INTEGER, 8, &value, 1);
 }
 
@@ -803,7 +843,7 @@ meta_input_settings_x11_set_stylus_pressure (MetaInputSettings      *settings,
 {
   guint32 values[4] = { pressure[0], pressure[1], pressure[2], pressure[3] };
 
-  change_property (device, "Wacom Pressurecurve", XA_INTEGER, 32,
+  change_property (settings, device, "Wacom Pressurecurve", XA_INTEGER, 32,
                    &values, G_N_ELEMENTS (values));
 }
 
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/meta-seat-x11.c b/src/backends/x11/meta-seat-x11.c
index 1342e0c50..ac2b56d13 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/meta-seat-x11.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/meta-seat-x11.c
@@ -645,6 +645,7 @@ create_device (MetaSeatX11    *seat_x11,
     get_pad_features (info, &num_rings, &num_strips);
 
   retval = g_object_new (META_TYPE_INPUT_DEVICE_X11,
+                         "backend", seat_x11->backend,
                          "name", info->name,
                          "id", info->deviceid,
                          "has-cursor", (info->use == XIMasterPointer),
@@ -1604,7 +1605,9 @@ meta_seat_x11_peek_devices (ClutterSeat *seat)
 static void
 meta_seat_x11_bell_notify (ClutterSeat *seat)
 {
-  MetaDisplay *display = meta_get_display ();
+  MetaSeatX11 *seat_x11 = META_SEAT_X11 (seat);
+  MetaContext *context = meta_backend_get_context (seat_x11->backend);
+  MetaDisplay *display = meta_context_get_display (context);
 
   meta_bell_notify (display, NULL);
 }
@@ -1798,7 +1801,7 @@ meta_seat_x11_grab (ClutterSeat *seat,
                     uint32_t     time)
 {
   MetaSeatX11 *seat_x11 = META_SEAT_X11 (seat);
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = seat_x11->backend;
   ClutterGrabState state = CLUTTER_GRAB_STATE_NONE;
 
   g_return_val_if_fail (seat_x11->grab_state == CLUTTER_GRAB_STATE_NONE,
@@ -1824,7 +1827,7 @@ meta_seat_x11_ungrab (ClutterSeat *seat,
                       uint32_t     time)
 {
   MetaSeatX11 *seat_x11 = META_SEAT_X11 (seat);
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = seat_x11->backend;
 
   if ((seat_x11->grab_state & CLUTTER_GRAB_STATE_POINTER) != 0)
     {
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/meta-stage-x11.c b/src/backends/x11/meta-stage-x11.c
index 8b88a4b2e..ddfecfc62 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/meta-stage-x11.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/meta-stage-x11.c
@@ -498,8 +498,9 @@ meta_stage_x11_can_clip_redraws (ClutterStageWindow *stage_window)
 static GList *
 meta_stage_x11_get_views (ClutterStageWindow *stage_window)
 {
-  MetaStageX11 *stage_x11 = META_STAGE_X11 (stage_window);
-  MetaRenderer *renderer = meta_backend_get_renderer (stage_x11->backend);
+  MetaStageImpl *stage_impl = META_STAGE_IMPL (stage_window);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_stage_impl_get_backend (stage_impl);
+  MetaRenderer *renderer = meta_backend_get_renderer (backend);
 
   return meta_renderer_get_views (renderer);
 }
@@ -541,9 +542,6 @@ meta_stage_x11_init (MetaStageX11 *stage)
   stage->wm_state = STAGE_X11_WITHDRAWN;
 
   stage->title = NULL;
-
-  stage->backend = meta_get_backend ();
-  g_assert (stage->backend);
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/meta-stage-x11.h b/src/backends/x11/meta-stage-x11.h
index 041767167..60f38bfaf 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/meta-stage-x11.h
+++ b/src/backends/x11/meta-stage-x11.h
@@ -52,8 +52,6 @@ struct _MetaStageX11
 {
   MetaStageImpl parent_instance;
 
-  MetaBackend *backend;
-
   CoglOnscreen *onscreen;
   Window xwin;
   gint xwin_width;
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/meta-xkb-a11y-x11.c b/src/backends/x11/meta-xkb-a11y-x11.c
index 31313774c..a041dcad8 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/meta-xkb-a11y-x11.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/meta-xkb-a11y-x11.c
@@ -89,6 +89,8 @@ set_xkb_desc_rec (Display    *xdisplay,
 static void
 check_settings_changed (ClutterSeat *seat)
 {
+  MetaSeatX11 *seat_x11 = META_SEAT_X11 (seat);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_seat_x11_get_backend (META_SEAT_X11 (seat_x11));
   Display *xdisplay = xdisplay_from_seat (seat);
   MetaKbdA11ySettings kbd_a11y_settings;
   MetaKeyboardA11yFlags what_changed = 0;
@@ -99,7 +101,7 @@ check_settings_changed (ClutterSeat *seat)
   if (!desc)
     return;
 
-  input_settings = meta_backend_get_input_settings (meta_get_backend ());
+  input_settings = meta_backend_get_input_settings (backend);
   meta_input_settings_get_kbd_a11y_settings (input_settings,
                                              &kbd_a11y_settings);
 
@@ -335,7 +337,8 @@ meta_seat_x11_apply_kbd_a11y_settings (ClutterSeat         *seat,
 gboolean
 meta_seat_x11_a11y_init (ClutterSeat *seat)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaSeatX11 *seat_x11 = META_SEAT_X11 (seat);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_seat_x11_get_backend (META_SEAT_X11 (seat_x11));
   ClutterBackend *clutter_backend = meta_backend_get_clutter_backend (backend);
   MetaClutterBackendX11 *clutter_backend_x11 =
     META_CLUTTER_BACKEND_X11 (clutter_backend);
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-backend-x11-nested.c b/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-backend-x11-nested.c
index 9b7f8cc78..5b1eea656 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-backend-x11-nested.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-backend-x11-nested.c
@@ -95,7 +95,9 @@ meta_backend_x11_nested_get_input_settings (MetaBackend *backend)
   if (!priv->input_settings)
     {
       priv->input_settings =
-        g_object_new (META_TYPE_INPUT_SETTINGS_DUMMY, NULL);
+        g_object_new (META_TYPE_INPUT_SETTINGS_DUMMY,
+                      "backend", backend,
+                      NULL);
     }
 
   return priv->input_settings;
@@ -191,8 +193,10 @@ meta_backend_x11_nested_handle_host_xevent (MetaBackendX11 *x11,
 
       if (event->xfocus.window == xwin)
         {
+          MetaBackend *backend = META_BACKEND (x11);
+          MetaContext *context = meta_backend_get_context (backend);
           MetaWaylandCompositor *compositor =
-            meta_wayland_compositor_get_default ();
+            meta_context_get_wayland_compositor (context);
           Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (x11);
 
           /*
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-cursor-renderer-x11-nested.c b/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-cursor-renderer-x11-nested.c
index 0daae683c..e73ad70dc 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-cursor-renderer-x11-nested.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-cursor-renderer-x11-nested.c
@@ -71,11 +71,15 @@ create_empty_cursor (Display *xdisplay)
 }
 
 static void
-meta_cursor_renderer_x11_nested_init (MetaCursorRendererX11Nested *x11_nested)
+meta_cursor_renderer_x11_nested_constructed (GObject *object)
 {
-  MetaBackendX11 *backend = META_BACKEND_X11 (meta_get_backend ());
-  Window xwindow = meta_backend_x11_get_xwindow (backend);
-  Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (backend);
+  MetaCursorRendererX11Nested *x11_nested =
+    META_CURSOR_RENDERER_X11_NESTED (object);
+  MetaCursorRenderer *cursor_renderer = META_CURSOR_RENDERER (x11_nested);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_cursor_renderer_get_backend (cursor_renderer);
+  MetaBackendX11 *backend_x11 = META_BACKEND_X11 (backend);
+  Window xwindow = meta_backend_x11_get_xwindow (backend_x11);
+  Display *xdisplay = meta_backend_x11_get_xdisplay (backend_x11);
 
   Cursor empty_xcursor = create_empty_cursor (xdisplay);
   XDefineCursor (xdisplay, xwindow, empty_xcursor);
@@ -85,7 +89,15 @@ meta_cursor_renderer_x11_nested_init (MetaCursorRendererX11Nested *x11_nested)
 static void
 meta_cursor_renderer_x11_nested_class_init (MetaCursorRendererX11NestedClass *klass)
 {
+  GObjectClass *object_class = G_OBJECT_CLASS (klass);
   MetaCursorRendererClass *renderer_class = META_CURSOR_RENDERER_CLASS (klass);
 
+  object_class->constructed = meta_cursor_renderer_x11_nested_constructed;
+
   renderer_class->update_cursor = meta_cursor_renderer_x11_nested_update_cursor;
 }
+
+static void
+meta_cursor_renderer_x11_nested_init (MetaCursorRendererX11Nested *x11_nested)
+{
+}
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-renderer-x11-nested.c b/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-renderer-x11-nested.c
index 945c4c821..bc73758a1 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-renderer-x11-nested.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-renderer-x11-nested.c
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ meta_renderer_x11_nested_resize_legacy_view (MetaRendererX11Nested *renderer_x11
                                              int                    height)
 {
   MetaRenderer *renderer = META_RENDERER (renderer_x11_nested);
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_renderer_get_backend (renderer);
   ClutterBackend *clutter_backend = meta_backend_get_clutter_backend (backend);
   CoglContext *cogl_context = clutter_backend_get_cogl_context (clutter_backend);
   MetaRendererView *legacy_view;
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ meta_renderer_x11_nested_ensure_legacy_view (MetaRendererX11Nested *renderer_x11
                                              int                    height)
 {
   MetaRenderer *renderer = META_RENDERER (renderer_x11_nested);
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_renderer_get_backend (renderer);
   ClutterBackend *clutter_backend = meta_backend_get_clutter_backend (backend);
   CoglContext *cogl_context = clutter_backend_get_cogl_context (clutter_backend);
   cairo_rectangle_int_t view_layout;
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-stage-x11-nested.c b/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-stage-x11-nested.c
index 5e5983882..6730bf620 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-stage-x11-nested.c
+++ b/src/backends/x11/nested/meta-stage-x11-nested.c
@@ -75,7 +75,8 @@ meta_stage_x11_nested_can_clip_redraws (ClutterStageWindow *stage_window)
 static GList *
 meta_stage_x11_nested_get_views (ClutterStageWindow *stage_window)
 {
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaStageImpl *stage_impl = META_STAGE_IMPL (stage_window);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_stage_impl_get_backend (stage_impl);
   MetaRenderer *renderer = meta_backend_get_renderer (backend);
 
   return meta_renderer_get_views (renderer);
@@ -153,7 +154,8 @@ meta_stage_x11_nested_finish_frame (ClutterStageWindow *stage_window,
 {
   MetaStageX11Nested *stage_nested = META_STAGE_X11_NESTED (stage_window);
   MetaStageX11 *stage_x11 = META_STAGE_X11 (stage_window);
-  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaStageImpl *stage_impl = META_STAGE_IMPL (stage_window);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_stage_impl_get_backend (stage_impl);
   MetaRenderer *renderer = meta_backend_get_renderer (backend);
   ClutterBackend *clutter_backend = meta_backend_get_clutter_backend (backend);
   CoglFramebuffer *onscreen = COGL_FRAMEBUFFER (stage_x11->onscreen);
diff --git a/src/tests/headless-start-test.c b/src/tests/headless-start-test.c
index b563be3d4..8ece7c8a5 100644
--- a/src/tests/headless-start-test.c
+++ b/src/tests/headless-start-test.c
@@ -102,6 +102,7 @@ meta_test_headless_monitor_connect (void)
   gpu = META_GPU (meta_backend_get_gpus (meta_get_backend ())->data);
   crtc = g_object_new (META_TYPE_CRTC_TEST,
                        "id", (uint64_t) 1,
+                       "backend", backend,
                        "gpu", gpu,
                        NULL);
   test_setup->crtcs = g_list_append (NULL, crtc);
diff --git a/src/tests/meta-monitor-test-utils.c b/src/tests/meta-monitor-test-utils.c
index 8480e4a62..82756348d 100644
--- a/src/tests/meta-monitor-test-utils.c
+++ b/src/tests/meta-monitor-test-utils.c
@@ -664,6 +664,7 @@ meta_create_monitor_test_setup (MetaBackend          *backend,
 
       crtc = g_object_new (META_TYPE_CRTC_TEST,
                            "id", (uint64_t) i + 1,
+                           "backend", backend,
                            "gpu", meta_test_get_gpu (backend),
                            NULL);
       if (setup->crtcs[i].disable_gamma_lut)