diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index 2e8d73b9c..34dd545da 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ wayland_protocols =				\
 libmutter_@LIBMUTTER_API_VERSION@_la_SOURCES =	\
 	backends/meta-backend.c			\
 	meta/meta-backend.h			\
+	meta/meta-settings.h			\
 	backends/meta-backend-private.h		\
 	backends/meta-barrier.c			\
 	backends/meta-barrier-private.h		\
@@ -119,6 +120,8 @@ libmutter_@LIBMUTTER_API_VERSION@_la_SOURCES =	\
 	backends/meta-monitor-manager-dummy.h	\
 	backends/meta-pointer-constraint.c	\
 	backends/meta-pointer-constraint.h	\
+	backends/meta-settings.c		\
+	backends/meta-settings-private.h	\
 	backends/meta-stage.h			\
 	backends/meta-stage.c			\
 	backends/meta-renderer.c		\
@@ -445,6 +448,7 @@ libmutterinclude_headers =			\
 	meta/meta-idle-monitor.h		\
 	meta/meta-plugin.h			\
 	meta/meta-monitor-manager.h		\
+	meta/meta-settings.h			\
 	meta/meta-shaped-texture.h		\
 	meta/meta-shadow-factory.h		\
 	meta/meta-window-actor.h		\
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-backend-private.h b/src/backends/meta-backend-private.h
index 0a5a7c18a..d2c3a91a1 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-backend-private.h
+++ b/src/backends/meta-backend-private.h
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 #include "backends/meta-egl.h"
 #include "backends/meta-pointer-constraint.h"
 #include "backends/meta-renderer.h"
+#include "backends/meta-settings-private.h"
 #include "core/util-private.h"
 
 #define DEFAULT_XKB_RULES_FILE "evdev"
@@ -98,13 +99,6 @@ struct _MetaBackendClass
 
 };
 
-typedef enum _MetaExperimentalFeature
-{
-  META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_NONE = 0,
-  META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER = (1 << 0),
-  META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_MONITOR_CONFIG_MANAGER = (1 << 1)
-} MetaExperimentalFeature;
-
 void meta_init_backend (GType backend_gtype);
 
 void meta_backend_x11_display_opened (MetaBackend *backend);
@@ -122,6 +116,7 @@ MetaCursorTracker * meta_backend_get_cursor_tracker (MetaBackend *backend);
 MetaCursorRenderer * meta_backend_get_cursor_renderer (MetaBackend *backend);
 MetaRenderer * meta_backend_get_renderer (MetaBackend *backend);
 MetaEgl * meta_backend_get_egl (MetaBackend *backend);
+MetaSettings * meta_backend_get_settings (MetaBackend *backend);
 
 gboolean meta_backend_grab_device (MetaBackend *backend,
                                    int          device_id,
@@ -156,16 +151,6 @@ ClutterBackend * meta_backend_get_clutter_backend (MetaBackend *backend);
 
 void meta_backend_monitors_changed (MetaBackend *backend);
 
-gboolean meta_backend_is_experimental_feature_enabled (MetaBackend            *backend,
-                                                       MetaExperimentalFeature feature);
-
-MetaExperimentalFeature meta_backend_get_experimental_features (MetaBackend *backend);
-
-void meta_backend_override_experimental_features (MetaBackend *backend);
-
-void meta_backend_enable_experimental_feature (MetaBackend            *backend,
-                                               MetaExperimentalFeature feature);
-
 gboolean meta_is_stage_views_enabled (void);
 
 gboolean meta_is_stage_views_scaled (void);
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-backend.c b/src/backends/meta-backend.c
index 6aa78abd0..171c61109 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-backend.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-backend.c
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 #include "backends/meta-idle-monitor-private.h"
 #include "backends/meta-logical-monitor.h"
 #include "backends/meta-monitor-manager-dummy.h"
-#include "ui/theme-private.h"
+#include "backends/meta-settings-private.h"
 
 #define META_IDLE_MONITOR_CORE_DEVICE 0
 
@@ -52,8 +52,7 @@ enum
   KEYMAP_CHANGED,
   KEYMAP_LAYOUT_GROUP_CHANGED,
   LAST_DEVICE_CHANGED,
-  EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURES_CHANGED,
-  UI_SCALING_FACTOR_CHANGED,
+  X11_DISPLAY_OPENED,
 
   N_SIGNALS
 };
@@ -85,10 +84,7 @@ struct _MetaBackendPrivate
   MetaInputSettings *input_settings;
   MetaRenderer *renderer;
   MetaEgl *egl;
-
-  GSettings *mutter_settings;
-  MetaExperimentalFeature experimental_features;
-  gboolean experimental_features_overridden;
+  MetaSettings *settings;
 
   ClutterBackend *clutter_backend;
   ClutterActor *stage;
@@ -101,8 +97,6 @@ struct _MetaBackendPrivate
 
   MetaPointerConstraint *client_pointer_constraint;
   MetaDnd *dnd;
-
-  int ui_scaling_factor;
 };
 typedef struct _MetaBackendPrivate MetaBackendPrivate;
 
@@ -114,9 +108,6 @@ G_DEFINE_ABSTRACT_TYPE_WITH_CODE (MetaBackend, meta_backend, G_TYPE_OBJECT,
                                   G_IMPLEMENT_INTERFACE (G_TYPE_INITABLE,
                                                          initable_iface_init));
 
-static int
-meta_backend_calculate_ui_scaling_factor (MetaBackend *backend);
-
 static void
 meta_backend_finalize (GObject *object)
 {
@@ -131,6 +122,8 @@ meta_backend_finalize (GObject *object)
 
   g_hash_table_destroy (priv->device_monitors);
 
+  g_clear_object (&priv->settings);
+
   G_OBJECT_CLASS (meta_backend_parent_class)->finalize (object);
 }
 
@@ -160,28 +153,10 @@ center_pointer (MetaBackend *backend)
                              primary->rect.y + primary->rect.height / 2);
 }
 
-static gboolean
-meta_backend_update_ui_scaling_factor (MetaBackend *backend)
-{
-  MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
-  int ui_scaling_factor;
-
-  ui_scaling_factor = meta_backend_calculate_ui_scaling_factor (backend);
-
-  if (ui_scaling_factor != priv->ui_scaling_factor)
-    {
-      priv->ui_scaling_factor = ui_scaling_factor;
-      return TRUE;
-    }
-  else
-    {
-      return FALSE;
-    }
-}
-
 void
 meta_backend_monitors_changed (MetaBackend *backend)
 {
+  MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
   MetaMonitorManager *monitor_manager =
     meta_backend_get_monitor_manager (backend);
   ClutterDeviceManager *manager = clutter_device_manager_get_default ();
@@ -199,8 +174,7 @@ meta_backend_monitors_changed (MetaBackend *backend)
         center_pointer (backend);
     }
 
-  if (meta_backend_update_ui_scaling_factor (backend))
-    meta_backend_notify_ui_scaling_factor_changed (backend);
+  meta_settings_update_ui_scaling_factor (priv->settings);
 }
 
 void
@@ -426,8 +400,6 @@ meta_backend_real_post_init (MetaBackend *backend)
 
   meta_backend_sync_screen_size (backend);
 
-  meta_backend_update_ui_scaling_factor (backend);
-
   priv->cursor_renderer = META_BACKEND_GET_CLASS (backend)->create_cursor_renderer (backend);
 
   priv->device_monitors =
@@ -489,105 +461,6 @@ meta_backend_real_get_relative_motion_deltas (MetaBackend *backend,
   return FALSE;
 }
 
-static gboolean
-experimental_features_handler (GVariant *features_variant,
-                               gpointer *result,
-                               gpointer  data)
-{
-  MetaBackend *backend = data;
-  MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
-  GVariantIter features_iter;
-  char *feature;
-  MetaExperimentalFeature features = META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_NONE;
-
-  if (priv->experimental_features_overridden)
-    {
-      *result = GINT_TO_POINTER (FALSE);
-      return TRUE;
-    }
-
-  g_variant_iter_init (&features_iter, features_variant);
-  while (g_variant_iter_loop (&features_iter, "s", &feature))
-    {
-      /* So far no experimental features defined. */
-      if (g_str_equal (feature, "scale-monitor-framebuffer"))
-        features |= META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER;
-      else if (g_str_equal (feature, "monitor-config-manager"))
-        features |= META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_MONITOR_CONFIG_MANAGER;
-      else
-        g_info ("Unknown experimental feature '%s'\n", feature);
-    }
-
-  if (features != priv->experimental_features)
-    {
-      priv->experimental_features = features;
-      *result = GINT_TO_POINTER (TRUE);
-    }
-  else
-    {
-      *result = GINT_TO_POINTER (FALSE);
-    }
-
-  return TRUE;
-}
-
-static gboolean
-update_experimental_features (MetaBackend *backend)
-{
-  MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
-
-  return GPOINTER_TO_INT (g_settings_get_mapped (priv->mutter_settings,
-                                                 "experimental-features",
-                                                 experimental_features_handler,
-                                                 backend));
-}
-
-static void
-mutter_settings_changed (GSettings   *settings,
-                         gchar       *key,
-                         MetaBackend *backend)
-{
-  MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
-  MetaExperimentalFeature old_experimental_features;
-  gboolean changed;
-
-  if (!g_str_equal (key, "experimental-features"))
-    return;
-
-  old_experimental_features = priv->experimental_features;
-  changed = update_experimental_features (backend);
-  if (changed)
-    g_signal_emit (backend, signals[EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURES_CHANGED], 0,
-                   (unsigned int) old_experimental_features);
-}
-
-gboolean
-meta_backend_is_experimental_feature_enabled (MetaBackend            *backend,
-                                              MetaExperimentalFeature feature)
-{
-  MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
-
-  return !!(priv->experimental_features & feature);
-}
-
-void
-meta_backend_override_experimental_features (MetaBackend *backend)
-{
-  MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
-
-  priv->experimental_features = META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_NONE;
-  priv->experimental_features_overridden = TRUE;
-}
-
-void
-meta_backend_enable_experimental_feature (MetaBackend            *backend,
-                                          MetaExperimentalFeature feature)
-{
-  MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
-
-  priv->experimental_features |= feature;
-}
-
 static void
 meta_backend_class_init (MetaBackendClass *klass)
 {
@@ -624,15 +497,8 @@ meta_backend_class_init (MetaBackendClass *klass)
                   0,
                   NULL, NULL, NULL,
                   G_TYPE_NONE, 1, G_TYPE_INT);
-  signals[EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURES_CHANGED] =
-    g_signal_new ("experimental-features-changed",
-                  G_TYPE_FROM_CLASS (object_class),
-                  G_SIGNAL_RUN_LAST,
-                  0,
-                  NULL, NULL, NULL,
-                  G_TYPE_NONE, 1, G_TYPE_UINT);
-  signals[UI_SCALING_FACTOR_CHANGED] =
-    g_signal_new ("ui-scaling-factor-changed",
+  signals[X11_DISPLAY_OPENED] =
+    g_signal_new ("x11-display-opened",
                   G_TYPE_FROM_CLASS (object_class),
                   G_SIGNAL_RUN_LAST,
                   0,
@@ -651,11 +517,7 @@ meta_backend_initable_init (GInitable     *initable,
   MetaBackend *backend = META_BACKEND (initable);
   MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
 
-  priv->mutter_settings = g_settings_new ("org.gnome.mutter");
-  g_signal_connect (priv->mutter_settings, "changed",
-                    G_CALLBACK (mutter_settings_changed),
-                    backend);
-  update_experimental_features (backend);
+  priv->settings = meta_settings_new (backend);
 
   priv->egl = g_object_new (META_TYPE_EGL, NULL);
 
@@ -690,7 +552,11 @@ meta_backend_init (MetaBackend *backend)
 static void
 meta_backend_post_init (MetaBackend *backend)
 {
+  MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
+
   META_BACKEND_GET_CLASS (backend)->post_init (backend);
+
+  meta_settings_post_init (priv->settings);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -757,6 +623,17 @@ meta_backend_get_egl (MetaBackend *backend)
   return priv->egl;
 }
 
+/**
+ * meta_backend_get_settings: (skip)
+ */
+MetaSettings *
+meta_backend_get_settings (MetaBackend *backend)
+{
+  MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
+
+  return priv->settings;
+}
+
 /**
  * meta_backend_grab_device: (skip)
  */
@@ -1052,27 +929,10 @@ meta_clutter_init (void)
   meta_backend_post_init (_backend);
 }
 
-static void
-xft_dpi_changed (GtkSettings *settings,
-                 GParamSpec  *pspec,
-                 MetaBackend *backend)
-{
-  meta_backend_update_ui_scaling_factor (backend);
-  meta_backend_notify_ui_scaling_factor_changed (backend);
-}
-
 void
 meta_backend_x11_display_opened (MetaBackend *backend)
 {
-  /*
-   * gdk-window-scaling-factor is not exported to gtk-settings
-   * because it is handled inside gdk, so we use gtk-xft-dpi instead
-   * which also changes when the scale factor changes.
-   *
-   * TODO: Don't rely on GtkSettings for this
-   */
-  g_signal_connect (gtk_settings_get_default (), "notify::gtk-xft-dpi",
-                    G_CALLBACK (xft_dpi_changed), backend);
+  g_signal_emit (backend, signals[X11_DISPLAY_OPENED], 0);
 }
 
 gboolean
@@ -1137,54 +997,3 @@ meta_backend_notify_keymap_layout_group_changed (MetaBackend *backend,
   g_signal_emit (backend, signals[KEYMAP_LAYOUT_GROUP_CHANGED], 0,
                  locked_group);
 }
-
-static int
-calculate_ui_scaling_factor (MetaBackend *backend)
-{
-  MetaMonitorManager *monitor_manager =
-    meta_backend_get_monitor_manager (backend);
-  GList *logical_monitors;
-  GList *l;
-  int max_scale = 1;
-
-  logical_monitors =
-    meta_monitor_manager_get_logical_monitors (monitor_manager);
-  for (l = logical_monitors; l; l = l->next)
-    {
-      MetaLogicalMonitor *logical_monitor = l->data;
-
-      max_scale = MAX (logical_monitor->scale, max_scale);
-    }
-
-  return max_scale;
-}
-
-static int
-meta_backend_calculate_ui_scaling_factor (MetaBackend *backend)
-{
-  if (meta_is_stage_views_scaled ())
-    {
-      return 1;
-    }
-  else
-    {
-      if (meta_is_monitor_config_manager_enabled ())
-        return calculate_ui_scaling_factor (backend);
-      else
-        return meta_theme_get_window_scaling_factor ();
-    }
-}
-
-int
-meta_backend_get_ui_scaling_factor (MetaBackend *backend)
-{
-  MetaBackendPrivate *priv = meta_backend_get_instance_private (backend);
-
-  return priv->ui_scaling_factor;
-}
-
-void
-meta_backend_notify_ui_scaling_factor_changed (MetaBackend *backend)
-{
-  g_signal_emit (backend, signals[UI_SCALING_FACTOR_CHANGED], 0);
-}
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager-dummy.c b/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager-dummy.c
index 05ffd4d89..21608a169 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager-dummy.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager-dummy.c
@@ -609,22 +609,25 @@ static gboolean
 is_monitor_framebuffers_scaled (void)
 {
   MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaSettings *settings = meta_backend_get_settings (backend);
 
-  return meta_backend_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
-    backend,
+  return meta_settings_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
+    settings,
     META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER);
 }
 
 static MetaMonitorManagerCapability
 meta_monitor_manager_dummy_get_capabilities (MetaMonitorManager *manager)
 {
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaSettings *settings = meta_backend_get_settings (backend);
   MetaMonitorManagerCapability capabilities =
     META_MONITOR_MANAGER_CAPABILITY_NONE;
 
   capabilities |= META_MONITOR_MANAGER_CAPABILITY_MIRRORING;
 
-  if (meta_backend_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
-        meta_get_backend (),
+  if (meta_settings_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
+        settings,
         META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER))
     capabilities |= META_MONITOR_MANAGER_CAPABILITY_LAYOUT_MODE;
 
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager.c b/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager.c
index eea84c72e..ba071caca 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-monitor-manager.c
@@ -77,8 +77,11 @@ meta_monitor_manager_init (MetaMonitorManager *manager)
 gboolean
 meta_is_monitor_config_manager_enabled (void)
 {
-  return meta_backend_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
-    meta_get_backend (),
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaSettings *settings = meta_backend_get_settings (backend);
+
+  return meta_settings_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
+    settings,
     META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_MONITOR_CONFIG_MANAGER);
 }
 
@@ -521,7 +524,7 @@ done:
 }
 
 static void
-experimental_features_changed (MetaBackend            *backend,
+experimental_features_changed (MetaSettings           *settings,
                                MetaExperimentalFeature old_experimental_features,
                                MetaMonitorManager     *manager)
 {
@@ -531,7 +534,6 @@ experimental_features_changed (MetaBackend            *backend,
   gboolean is_config_manager_enabled;
   gboolean is_stage_views_scaled;
   gboolean should_reconfigure = FALSE;
-  int ui_scaling_factor;
 
   is_config_manager_enabled = meta_is_monitor_config_manager_enabled ();
   was_config_manager_enabled =
@@ -545,21 +547,18 @@ experimental_features_changed (MetaBackend            *backend,
     !!(old_experimental_features &
        META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER);
   is_stage_views_scaled =
-    meta_backend_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
-      backend,
+    meta_settings_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
+      settings,
       META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER);
 
   if (is_config_manager_enabled != was_config_manager_enabled ||
       is_stage_views_scaled != was_stage_views_scaled)
     should_reconfigure = TRUE;
 
-  ui_scaling_factor = meta_backend_get_ui_scaling_factor (backend);
-
   if (should_reconfigure)
     meta_monitor_manager_on_hotplug (manager);
 
-  if (ui_scaling_factor != meta_backend_get_ui_scaling_factor (backend))
-    meta_backend_notify_ui_scaling_factor_changed (backend);
+  meta_settings_update_ui_scaling_factor (settings);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -569,9 +568,11 @@ meta_monitor_manager_constructed (GObject *object)
   MetaDBusDisplayConfig *skeleton = META_DBUS_DISPLAY_CONFIG (manager);
   MetaMonitorManagerClass *manager_class =
     META_MONITOR_MANAGER_GET_CLASS (manager);
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaSettings *settings = meta_backend_get_settings (backend);
 
   manager->experimental_features_changed_handler_id =
-    g_signal_connect (meta_get_backend (),
+    g_signal_connect (settings,
                       "experimental-features-changed",
                       G_CALLBACK (experimental_features_changed),
                       manager);
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-settings-private.h b/src/backends/meta-settings-private.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..775b58bd7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backends/meta-settings-private.h
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+/* -*- mode: C; c-file-style: "gnu"; indent-tabs-mode: nil; -*- */
+
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2017 Red Hat
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA
+ * 02111-1307, USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef META_SETTINGS_PRIVATE_H
+#define META_SETTINGS_PRIVATE_H
+
+#include <glib-object.h>
+
+#include "meta/meta-settings.h"
+#include "meta/types.h"
+
+typedef enum _MetaExperimentalFeature
+{
+  META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_NONE = 0,
+  META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER = (1 << 0),
+  META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_MONITOR_CONFIG_MANAGER = (1 << 1)
+} MetaExperimentalFeature;
+
+#define META_TYPE_SETTINGS (meta_settings_get_type ())
+G_DECLARE_FINAL_TYPE (MetaSettings, meta_settings,
+                      META, SETTINGS, GObject)
+
+MetaSettings * meta_settings_new (MetaBackend *backend);
+
+void meta_settings_post_init (MetaSettings *settings);
+
+void meta_settings_update_ui_scaling_factor (MetaSettings *settings);
+
+gboolean meta_settings_is_experimental_feature_enabled (MetaSettings           *settings,
+                                                        MetaExperimentalFeature feature);
+
+MetaExperimentalFeature meta_settings_get_experimental_features (MetaSettings *settings);
+
+void meta_settings_override_experimental_features (MetaSettings *settings);
+
+void meta_settings_enable_experimental_feature (MetaSettings           *settings,
+                                                MetaExperimentalFeature feature);
+
+#endif /* META_SETTINGS_PRIVATE_H */
diff --git a/src/backends/meta-settings.c b/src/backends/meta-settings.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..69c139009
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/backends/meta-settings.c
@@ -0,0 +1,320 @@
+/* -*- mode: C; c-file-style: "gnu"; indent-tabs-mode: nil; -*- */
+
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2017 Red Hat
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA
+ * 02111-1307, USA.
+ */
+
+#include "config.h"
+
+#include "backends/meta-settings-private.h"
+
+#include <gio/gio.h>
+
+#include "backends/meta-backend-private.h"
+#include "backends/meta-logical-monitor.h"
+#include "backends/meta-monitor-manager-private.h"
+#include "ui/theme-private.h"
+
+enum
+{
+  UI_SCALING_FACTOR_CHANGED,
+  EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURES_CHANGED,
+
+  N_SIGNALS
+};
+
+static guint signals[N_SIGNALS];
+
+struct _MetaSettings
+{
+  GObject parent;
+
+  MetaBackend *backend;
+
+  GSettings *mutter_settings;
+
+  int ui_scaling_factor;
+
+  MetaExperimentalFeature experimental_features;
+  gboolean experimental_features_overridden;
+};
+
+G_DEFINE_TYPE (MetaSettings, meta_settings, G_TYPE_OBJECT)
+
+static int
+calculate_ui_scaling_factor (MetaSettings *settings)
+{
+  MetaMonitorManager *monitor_manager =
+    meta_backend_get_monitor_manager (settings->backend);
+  GList *logical_monitors;
+  GList *l;
+  int max_scale = 1;
+
+  logical_monitors =
+    meta_monitor_manager_get_logical_monitors (monitor_manager);
+  for (l = logical_monitors; l; l = l->next)
+    {
+      MetaLogicalMonitor *logical_monitor = l->data;
+
+      max_scale = MAX (meta_logical_monitor_get_scale (logical_monitor),
+                       max_scale);
+    }
+
+  return max_scale;
+}
+
+static int
+get_xsettings_scaling_factor (void)
+{
+  GdkScreen *screen;
+  GValue value = G_VALUE_INIT;
+
+  g_value_init (&value, G_TYPE_INT);
+
+  screen = gdk_screen_get_default ();
+  if (gdk_screen_get_setting (screen, "gdk-window-scaling-factor", &value))
+    return g_value_get_int (&value);
+  else
+    return 1;
+}
+
+static gboolean
+update_ui_scaling_factor (MetaSettings *settings)
+{
+  int ui_scaling_factor;
+
+  if (meta_is_stage_views_scaled ())
+    {
+      ui_scaling_factor = 1;
+    }
+  else
+    {
+      if (meta_is_monitor_config_manager_enabled ())
+        ui_scaling_factor = calculate_ui_scaling_factor (settings);
+      else
+        ui_scaling_factor = get_xsettings_scaling_factor ();
+    }
+
+  if (settings->ui_scaling_factor != ui_scaling_factor)
+    {
+      settings->ui_scaling_factor = ui_scaling_factor;
+      return TRUE;
+    }
+  else
+    {
+      return FALSE;
+    }
+}
+
+static void
+xft_dpi_changed (GtkSettings  *gtk_settings,
+                 GParamSpec   *pspec,
+                 MetaSettings *settings)
+{
+  /* This only matters when we rely on XSettings. */
+  if (meta_is_monitor_config_manager_enabled ())
+    return;
+
+  meta_settings_update_ui_scaling_factor (settings);
+}
+
+static void
+x11_display_opened (MetaBackend  *backend,
+                    MetaSettings *settings)
+{
+  /*
+   * gdk-window-scaling-factor is not exported to gtk-settings
+   * because it is handled inside gdk, so we use gtk-xft-dpi instead
+   * which also changes when the scale factor changes.
+   *
+   * TODO: Only rely on our own configured scale when we only have
+   * MetaMonitorConfigManager.
+   */
+  g_signal_connect (gtk_settings_get_default (), "notify::gtk-xft-dpi",
+                    G_CALLBACK (xft_dpi_changed), settings);
+}
+
+void
+meta_settings_update_ui_scaling_factor (MetaSettings *settings)
+{
+  if (update_ui_scaling_factor (settings))
+    g_signal_emit (settings, signals[UI_SCALING_FACTOR_CHANGED], 0);
+}
+
+int
+meta_settings_get_ui_scaling_factor (MetaSettings *settings)
+{
+  g_assert (settings->ui_scaling_factor != 0);
+
+  return settings->ui_scaling_factor;
+}
+
+gboolean
+meta_settings_is_experimental_feature_enabled (MetaSettings           *settings,
+                                               MetaExperimentalFeature feature)
+{
+  return !!(settings->experimental_features & feature);
+}
+
+void
+meta_settings_override_experimental_features (MetaSettings *settings)
+{
+  settings->experimental_features = META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_NONE;
+  settings->experimental_features_overridden = TRUE;
+}
+
+void
+meta_settings_enable_experimental_feature (MetaSettings           *settings,
+                                           MetaExperimentalFeature feature)
+{
+  g_assert (settings->experimental_features_overridden);
+
+  settings->experimental_features |= feature;
+}
+
+static gboolean
+experimental_features_handler (GVariant *features_variant,
+                               gpointer *result,
+                               gpointer  data)
+{
+  MetaSettings *settings = data;
+  GVariantIter features_iter;
+  char *feature;
+  MetaExperimentalFeature features = META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_NONE;
+
+  if (settings->experimental_features_overridden)
+    {
+      *result = GINT_TO_POINTER (FALSE);
+      return TRUE;
+    }
+
+  g_variant_iter_init (&features_iter, features_variant);
+  while (g_variant_iter_loop (&features_iter, "s", &feature))
+    {
+      /* So far no experimental features defined. */
+      if (g_str_equal (feature, "scale-monitor-framebuffer"))
+        features |= META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER;
+      else if (g_str_equal (feature, "monitor-config-manager"))
+        features |= META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_MONITOR_CONFIG_MANAGER;
+      else
+        g_info ("Unknown experimental feature '%s'\n", feature);
+    }
+
+  if (features != settings->experimental_features)
+    {
+      settings->experimental_features = features;
+      *result = GINT_TO_POINTER (TRUE);
+    }
+  else
+    {
+      *result = GINT_TO_POINTER (FALSE);
+    }
+
+  return TRUE;
+}
+
+static gboolean
+update_experimental_features (MetaSettings *settings)
+{
+  return GPOINTER_TO_INT (g_settings_get_mapped (settings->mutter_settings,
+                                                 "experimental-features",
+                                                 experimental_features_handler,
+                                                 settings));
+}
+
+static void
+mutter_settings_changed (GSettings    *mutter_settings,
+                         gchar        *key,
+                         MetaSettings *settings)
+{
+  MetaExperimentalFeature old_experimental_features;
+
+  if (!g_str_equal (key, "experimental-features"))
+    return;
+
+  old_experimental_features = settings->experimental_features;
+  if (update_experimental_features (settings))
+    g_signal_emit (settings, signals[EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURES_CHANGED], 0,
+                   (unsigned int) old_experimental_features);
+}
+
+MetaSettings *
+meta_settings_new (MetaBackend *backend)
+{
+  MetaSettings *settings;
+
+  settings = g_object_new (META_TYPE_SETTINGS, NULL);
+  settings->backend = backend;
+
+  g_signal_connect (backend, "x11-display-opened",
+                    G_CALLBACK (x11_display_opened),
+                    settings);
+
+  return settings;
+}
+
+static void
+meta_settings_dispose (GObject *object)
+{
+  MetaSettings *settings = META_SETTINGS (object);
+
+  g_clear_object (&settings->mutter_settings);
+
+  G_OBJECT_CLASS (meta_settings_parent_class)->dispose (object);
+}
+
+static void
+meta_settings_init (MetaSettings *settings)
+{
+  settings->mutter_settings = g_settings_new ("org.gnome.mutter");
+  g_signal_connect (settings->mutter_settings, "changed",
+                    G_CALLBACK (mutter_settings_changed),
+                    settings);
+
+  update_experimental_features (settings);
+}
+
+void
+meta_settings_post_init (MetaSettings *settings)
+{
+  update_ui_scaling_factor (settings);
+}
+
+static void
+meta_settings_class_init (MetaSettingsClass *klass)
+{
+  GObjectClass *object_class = G_OBJECT_CLASS (klass);
+
+  object_class->dispose = meta_settings_dispose;
+
+  signals[UI_SCALING_FACTOR_CHANGED] =
+    g_signal_new ("ui-scaling-factor-changed",
+                  G_TYPE_FROM_CLASS (object_class),
+                  G_SIGNAL_RUN_LAST,
+                  0,
+                  NULL, NULL, NULL,
+                  G_TYPE_NONE, 0);
+
+  signals[EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURES_CHANGED] =
+    g_signal_new ("experimental-features-changed",
+                  G_TYPE_FROM_CLASS (object_class),
+                  G_SIGNAL_RUN_LAST,
+                  0,
+                  NULL, NULL, NULL,
+                  G_TYPE_NONE, 1, G_TYPE_UINT);
+}
diff --git a/src/backends/native/meta-monitor-manager-kms.c b/src/backends/native/meta-monitor-manager-kms.c
index 46cd5c2b1..81ba3e4a2 100644
--- a/src/backends/native/meta-monitor-manager-kms.c
+++ b/src/backends/native/meta-monitor-manager-kms.c
@@ -1932,13 +1932,14 @@ static MetaMonitorManagerCapability
 meta_monitor_manager_kms_get_capabilities (MetaMonitorManager *manager)
 {
   MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaSettings *settings = meta_backend_get_settings (backend);
   MetaRenderer *renderer = meta_backend_get_renderer (backend);
   MetaRendererNative *renderer_native = META_RENDERER_NATIVE (renderer);
   MetaMonitorManagerCapability capabilities =
     META_MONITOR_MANAGER_CAPABILITY_NONE;
 
-  if (meta_backend_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
-        backend,
+  if (meta_settings_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
+        settings,
         META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER))
     capabilities |= META_MONITOR_MANAGER_CAPABILITY_LAYOUT_MODE;
 
@@ -1975,11 +1976,14 @@ meta_monitor_manager_kms_get_max_screen_size (MetaMonitorManager *manager,
 static MetaLogicalMonitorLayoutMode
 meta_monitor_manager_kms_get_default_layout_mode (MetaMonitorManager *manager)
 {
+  MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaSettings *settings = meta_backend_get_settings (backend);
+
   if (!meta_is_stage_views_enabled ())
     return META_LOGICAL_MONITOR_LAYOUT_MODE_PHYSICAL;
 
-  if (meta_backend_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
-        meta_get_backend (),
+  if (meta_settings_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
+        settings,
         META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER))
     return META_LOGICAL_MONITOR_LAYOUT_MODE_LOGICAL;
   else
diff --git a/src/meta/meta-backend.h b/src/meta/meta-backend.h
index 3010fa5d3..50afa721a 100644
--- a/src/meta/meta-backend.h
+++ b/src/meta/meta-backend.h
@@ -51,8 +51,11 @@ void meta_backend_set_numlock (MetaBackend *backend,
 int meta_backend_get_ui_scaling_factor (MetaBackend *backend);
 
 ClutterActor *meta_backend_get_stage (MetaBackend *backend);
+
 MetaDnd      *meta_backend_get_dnd   (MetaBackend *backend);
 
+MetaSettings *meta_backend_get_settings (MetaBackend *backend);
+
 void meta_clutter_init (void);
 
 #endif /* META_BACKEND_H */
diff --git a/src/meta/meta-settings.h b/src/meta/meta-settings.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1edc8600e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/meta/meta-settings.h
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/* -*- mode: C; c-file-style: "gnu"; indent-tabs-mode: nil; -*- */
+
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2017 Red Hat
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA
+ * 02111-1307, USA.
+ */
+
+#ifndef META_SETTINGS_H
+#define META_SETTINGS_H
+
+#include "meta/types.h"
+
+int meta_settings_get_ui_scaling_factor (MetaSettings *settings);
+
+#endif /* META_SETTINGS_H */
diff --git a/src/meta/types.h b/src/meta/types.h
index 22778899d..d3a5ca32b 100644
--- a/src/meta/types.h
+++ b/src/meta/types.h
@@ -40,5 +40,6 @@ typedef struct _MetaKeyBinding  MetaKeyBinding;
 typedef struct _MetaCursorTracker MetaCursorTracker;
 
 typedef struct _MetaDnd         MetaDnd;
+typedef struct _MetaSettings    MetaSettings;
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/tests/meta-monitor-manager-test.c b/src/tests/meta-monitor-manager-test.c
index e5a8f6fdf..ed582f980 100644
--- a/src/tests/meta-monitor-manager-test.c
+++ b/src/tests/meta-monitor-manager-test.c
@@ -403,9 +403,10 @@ static gboolean
 is_monitor_framebuffer_scaled (void)
 {
   MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaSettings *settings = meta_backend_get_settings (backend);
 
-  return meta_backend_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
-    backend,
+  return meta_settings_is_experimental_feature_enabled (
+    settings,
     META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/tests/unit-tests.c b/src/tests/unit-tests.c
index 77a6a87fc..36494f27e 100644
--- a/src/tests/unit-tests.c
+++ b/src/tests/unit-tests.c
@@ -215,17 +215,18 @@ static gboolean
 run_tests (gpointer data)
 {
   MetaBackend *backend = meta_get_backend ();
+  MetaSettings *settings = meta_backend_get_settings (backend);
   gboolean ret;
 
-  meta_backend_override_experimental_features (backend);
+  meta_settings_override_experimental_features (settings);
 
   if (g_strcmp0 (g_getenv ("MUTTER_USE_CONFIG_MANAGER"), "1") == 0)
     {
-      meta_backend_enable_experimental_feature (
-        backend,
+      meta_settings_enable_experimental_feature (
+        settings,
         META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_MONITOR_CONFIG_MANAGER);
-      meta_backend_enable_experimental_feature (
-        backend,
+      meta_settings_enable_experimental_feature (
+        settings,
         META_EXPERIMENTAL_FEATURE_SCALE_MONITOR_FRAMEBUFFER);
     }