diff --git a/backend/backend.c b/backend/backend.c
index 7df1cfbdb..8163e2039 100644
--- a/backend/backend.c
+++ b/backend/backend.c
@@ -87,9 +87,8 @@ static size_t parse_outputs_env(const char *name) {
 	return outputs;
 }
 
-static struct wlr_backend *attempt_wl_backend(struct wl_display *display,
-		wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func) {
-	struct wlr_backend *backend = wlr_wl_backend_create(display, NULL, create_renderer_func);
+static struct wlr_backend *attempt_wl_backend(struct wl_display *display) {
+	struct wlr_backend *backend = wlr_wl_backend_create(display, NULL);
 	if (backend == NULL) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
@@ -104,8 +103,8 @@ static struct wlr_backend *attempt_wl_backend(struct wl_display *display,
 
 #if WLR_HAS_X11_BACKEND
 static struct wlr_backend *attempt_x11_backend(struct wl_display *display,
-		const char *x11_display, wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func) {
-	struct wlr_backend *backend = wlr_x11_backend_create(display, x11_display, create_renderer_func);
+		const char *x11_display) {
+	struct wlr_backend *backend = wlr_x11_backend_create(display, x11_display);
 	if (backend == NULL) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
@@ -120,8 +119,8 @@ static struct wlr_backend *attempt_x11_backend(struct wl_display *display,
 #endif
 
 static struct wlr_backend *attempt_headless_backend(
-		struct wl_display *display, wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func) {
-	struct wlr_backend *backend = wlr_headless_backend_create(display, create_renderer_func);
+		struct wl_display *display) {
+	struct wlr_backend *backend = wlr_headless_backend_create(display);
 	if (backend == NULL) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
@@ -149,8 +148,7 @@ static struct wlr_backend *attempt_noop_backend(struct wl_display *display) {
 }
 
 static struct wlr_backend *attempt_drm_backend(struct wl_display *display,
-		struct wlr_backend *backend, struct wlr_session *session,
-		wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func) {
+		struct wlr_backend *backend, struct wlr_session *session) {
 	struct wlr_device *gpus[8];
 	size_t num_gpus = wlr_session_find_gpus(session, 8, gpus);
 	struct wlr_backend *primary_drm = NULL;
@@ -158,7 +156,7 @@ static struct wlr_backend *attempt_drm_backend(struct wl_display *display,
 
 	for (size_t i = 0; i < num_gpus; ++i) {
 		struct wlr_backend *drm = wlr_drm_backend_create(display, session,
-			gpus[i], primary_drm, create_renderer_func);
+			gpus[i], primary_drm);
 		if (!drm) {
 			wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "Failed to create DRM backend");
 			continue;
@@ -176,15 +174,15 @@ static struct wlr_backend *attempt_drm_backend(struct wl_display *display,
 
 static struct wlr_backend *attempt_backend_by_name(struct wl_display *display,
 		struct wlr_backend *backend, struct wlr_session **session,
-		const char *name, wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func) {
+		const char *name) {
 	if (strcmp(name, "wayland") == 0) {
-		return attempt_wl_backend(display, create_renderer_func);
+		return attempt_wl_backend(display);
 #if WLR_HAS_X11_BACKEND
 	} else if (strcmp(name, "x11") == 0) {
-		return attempt_x11_backend(display, NULL, create_renderer_func);
+		return attempt_x11_backend(display, NULL);
 #endif
 	} else if (strcmp(name, "headless") == 0) {
-		return attempt_headless_backend(display, create_renderer_func);
+		return attempt_headless_backend(display);
 	} else if (strcmp(name, "noop") == 0) {
 		return attempt_noop_backend(display);
 	} else if (strcmp(name, "drm") == 0 || strcmp(name, "libinput") == 0) {
@@ -200,7 +198,7 @@ static struct wlr_backend *attempt_backend_by_name(struct wl_display *display,
 		if (strcmp(name, "libinput") == 0) {
 			return wlr_libinput_backend_create(display, *session);
 		} else {
-			return attempt_drm_backend(display, backend, *session, create_renderer_func);
+			return attempt_drm_backend(display, backend, *session);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -208,8 +206,7 @@ static struct wlr_backend *attempt_backend_by_name(struct wl_display *display,
 	return NULL;
 }
 
-struct wlr_backend *wlr_backend_autocreate(struct wl_display *display,
-		wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func) {
+struct wlr_backend *wlr_backend_autocreate(struct wl_display *display) {
 	struct wlr_backend *backend = wlr_multi_backend_create(display);
 	struct wlr_multi_backend *multi = (struct wlr_multi_backend *)backend;
 	if (!backend) {
@@ -230,7 +227,7 @@ struct wlr_backend *wlr_backend_autocreate(struct wl_display *display,
 		char *name = strtok_r(names, ",", &saveptr);
 		while (name != NULL) {
 			struct wlr_backend *subbackend = attempt_backend_by_name(display,
-				backend, &multi->session, name, create_renderer_func);
+				backend, &multi->session, name);
 			if (subbackend == NULL) {
 				wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "failed to start backend '%s'", name);
 				wlr_session_destroy(multi->session);
@@ -255,8 +252,7 @@ struct wlr_backend *wlr_backend_autocreate(struct wl_display *display,
 	}
 
 	if (getenv("WAYLAND_DISPLAY") || getenv("WAYLAND_SOCKET")) {
-		struct wlr_backend *wl_backend = attempt_wl_backend(display,
-			create_renderer_func);
+		struct wlr_backend *wl_backend = attempt_wl_backend(display);
 		if (!wl_backend) {
 			goto error;
 		}
@@ -269,7 +265,7 @@ struct wlr_backend *wlr_backend_autocreate(struct wl_display *display,
 	const char *x11_display = getenv("DISPLAY");
 	if (x11_display) {
 		struct wlr_backend *x11_backend =
-			attempt_x11_backend(display, x11_display, create_renderer_func);
+			attempt_x11_backend(display, x11_display);
 		if (!x11_backend) {
 			goto error;
 		}
@@ -297,8 +293,8 @@ struct wlr_backend *wlr_backend_autocreate(struct wl_display *display,
 	}
 	wlr_multi_backend_add(backend, libinput);
 
-	struct wlr_backend *primary_drm = attempt_drm_backend(display, backend,
-		multi->session, create_renderer_func);
+	struct wlr_backend *primary_drm =
+		attempt_drm_backend(display, backend, multi->session);
 	if (!primary_drm) {
 		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "Failed to open any DRM device");
 		wlr_backend_destroy(libinput);
diff --git a/backend/drm/backend.c b/backend/drm/backend.c
index 5e0f9bcb4..27f9d0453 100644
--- a/backend/drm/backend.c
+++ b/backend/drm/backend.c
@@ -128,8 +128,7 @@ static void handle_display_destroy(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 
 struct wlr_backend *wlr_drm_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
 		struct wlr_session *session, struct wlr_device *dev,
-		struct wlr_backend *parent,
-		wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func) {
+		struct wlr_backend *parent) {
 	assert(display && session && dev);
 	assert(!parent || wlr_backend_is_drm(parent));
 
@@ -179,7 +178,7 @@ struct wlr_backend *wlr_drm_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
 		goto error_event;
 	}
 
-	if (!init_drm_renderer(drm, &drm->renderer, create_renderer_func)) {
+	if (!init_drm_renderer(drm, &drm->renderer)) {
 		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "Failed to initialize renderer");
 		goto error_event;
 	}
diff --git a/backend/drm/renderer.c b/backend/drm/renderer.c
index dd991dced..ebba3bb63 100644
--- a/backend/drm/renderer.c
+++ b/backend/drm/renderer.c
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 #include "render/wlr_renderer.h"
 
 bool init_drm_renderer(struct wlr_drm_backend *drm,
-		struct wlr_drm_renderer *renderer, wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func) {
+		struct wlr_drm_renderer *renderer) {
 	renderer->backend = drm;
 
 	renderer->gbm = gbm_create_device(drm->fd);
@@ -30,11 +30,7 @@ bool init_drm_renderer(struct wlr_drm_backend *drm,
 		return false;
 	}
 
-	if (!create_renderer_func) {
-		create_renderer_func = wlr_renderer_autocreate;
-	}
-
-	renderer->wlr_rend = create_renderer_func(&renderer->egl,
+	renderer->wlr_rend = wlr_renderer_autocreate(&renderer->egl,
 		EGL_PLATFORM_GBM_KHR, renderer->gbm, NULL, 0);
 	if (!renderer->wlr_rend) {
 		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "Failed to create EGL/WLR renderer");
diff --git a/backend/headless/backend.c b/backend/headless/backend.c
index fe893ddf1..6380b6a59 100644
--- a/backend/headless/backend.c
+++ b/backend/headless/backend.c
@@ -184,8 +184,7 @@ out:
 	return fd;
 }
 
-struct wlr_backend *wlr_headless_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
-		wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func) {
+struct wlr_backend *wlr_headless_backend_create(struct wl_display *display) {
 	wlr_log(WLR_INFO, "Creating headless backend");
 
 	int drm_fd = open_drm_render_node();
@@ -207,11 +206,7 @@ struct wlr_backend *wlr_headless_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
 		goto error_backend;
 	}
 
-	if (!create_renderer_func) {
-		create_renderer_func = wlr_renderer_autocreate;
-	}
-
-	struct wlr_renderer *renderer = create_renderer_func(&backend->priv_egl,
+	struct wlr_renderer *renderer = wlr_renderer_autocreate(&backend->priv_egl,
 		EGL_PLATFORM_GBM_KHR, gbm_alloc->gbm_device, NULL, 0);
 	if (!renderer) {
 		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "Failed to create renderer");
diff --git a/backend/wayland/backend.c b/backend/wayland/backend.c
index 11b769bf9..ea966d0cd 100644
--- a/backend/wayland/backend.c
+++ b/backend/wayland/backend.c
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ static void handle_display_destroy(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 }
 
 struct wlr_backend *wlr_wl_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
-		const char *remote, wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func) {
+		const char *remote) {
 	wlr_log(WLR_INFO, "Creating wayland backend");
 
 	struct wlr_wl_backend *wl = calloc(1, sizeof(*wl));
@@ -315,11 +315,7 @@ struct wlr_backend *wlr_wl_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
 	}
 	wl_event_source_check(wl->remote_display_src);
 
-	if (!create_renderer_func) {
-		create_renderer_func = wlr_renderer_autocreate;
-	}
-
-	wl->renderer = create_renderer_func(&wl->egl, EGL_PLATFORM_WAYLAND_EXT,
+	wl->renderer = wlr_renderer_autocreate(&wl->egl, EGL_PLATFORM_WAYLAND_EXT,
 		wl->remote_display, NULL, 0);
 	if (!wl->renderer) {
 		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "Could not create renderer");
diff --git a/backend/x11/backend.c b/backend/x11/backend.c
index 2d09eebe6..11cc4fa9e 100644
--- a/backend/x11/backend.c
+++ b/backend/x11/backend.c
@@ -322,8 +322,7 @@ static bool query_dri3_formats(struct wlr_x11_backend *x11) {
 }
 
 struct wlr_backend *wlr_x11_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
-		const char *x11_display,
-		wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func) {
+		const char *x11_display) {
 	struct wlr_x11_backend *x11 = calloc(1, sizeof(*x11));
 	if (!x11) {
 		return NULL;
@@ -512,11 +511,7 @@ struct wlr_backend *wlr_x11_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
 	}
 	x11->allocator = &gbm_alloc->base;
 
-	if (!create_renderer_func) {
-		create_renderer_func = wlr_renderer_autocreate;
-	}
-
-	x11->renderer = create_renderer_func(&x11->egl, EGL_PLATFORM_GBM_KHR,
+	x11->renderer = wlr_renderer_autocreate(&x11->egl, EGL_PLATFORM_GBM_KHR,
 		gbm_alloc->gbm_device, NULL, 0);
 	if (x11->renderer == NULL) {
 		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "Failed to create renderer");
diff --git a/examples/fullscreen-shell.c b/examples/fullscreen-shell.c
index 9b722c05c..9a2f7d7db 100644
--- a/examples/fullscreen-shell.c
+++ b/examples/fullscreen-shell.c
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
 
 	struct fullscreen_server server = {0};
 	server.wl_display = wl_display_create();
-	server.backend = wlr_backend_autocreate(server.wl_display, NULL);
+	server.backend = wlr_backend_autocreate(server.wl_display);
 	server.renderer = wlr_backend_get_renderer(server.backend);
 	wlr_renderer_init_wl_display(server.renderer, server.wl_display);
 
diff --git a/examples/multi-pointer.c b/examples/multi-pointer.c
index a48f58886..2445e2ff7 100644
--- a/examples/multi-pointer.c
+++ b/examples/multi-pointer.c
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
 		.clear_color = { 0.25f, 0.25f, 0.25f, 1 },
 		.display = display,
 	};
-	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display, NULL);
+	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display);
 	if (!wlr) {
 		exit(1);
 	}
diff --git a/examples/output-layout.c b/examples/output-layout.c
index b3fff4196..0c86abcce 100644
--- a/examples/output-layout.c
+++ b/examples/output-layout.c
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
 	state.layout = wlr_output_layout_create();
 	clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &state.ts_last);
 
-	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display, NULL);
+	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display);
 	if (!wlr) {
 		exit(1);
 	}
diff --git a/examples/pointer.c b/examples/pointer.c
index 92a5934e8..648158045 100644
--- a/examples/pointer.c
+++ b/examples/pointer.c
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
 		.display = display
 	};
 
-	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display, NULL);
+	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display);
 	if (!wlr) {
 		exit(1);
 	}
diff --git a/examples/rotation.c b/examples/rotation.c
index edd100e9b..4eb600d95 100644
--- a/examples/rotation.c
+++ b/examples/rotation.c
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
 	};
 	wl_list_init(&state.outputs);
 
-	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display, NULL);
+	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display);
 	if (!wlr) {
 		exit(1);
 	}
diff --git a/examples/simple.c b/examples/simple.c
index ce58dfa94..34ca46c7a 100644
--- a/examples/simple.c
+++ b/examples/simple.c
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ int main(void) {
 		.last_frame = { 0 },
 		.display = display
 	};
-	struct wlr_backend *backend = wlr_backend_autocreate(display, NULL);
+	struct wlr_backend *backend = wlr_backend_autocreate(display);
 	if (!backend) {
 		exit(1);
 	}
diff --git a/examples/tablet.c b/examples/tablet.c
index 59bf69798..af21ad2e5 100644
--- a/examples/tablet.c
+++ b/examples/tablet.c
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
 	};
 	wl_list_init(&state.tablet_pads);
 	wl_list_init(&state.tablet_tools);
-	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display, NULL);
+	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display);
 	if (!wlr) {
 		exit(1);
 	}
diff --git a/examples/touch.c b/examples/touch.c
index 7f8980e11..c00530753 100644
--- a/examples/touch.c
+++ b/examples/touch.c
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
 	wl_list_init(&state.touch_points);
 	wl_list_init(&state.touch);
 
-	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display, NULL);
+	struct wlr_backend *wlr = wlr_backend_autocreate(display);
 	if (!wlr) {
 		exit(1);
 	}
diff --git a/include/backend/drm/renderer.h b/include/backend/drm/renderer.h
index bafc4ad09..a22cc56a4 100644
--- a/include/backend/drm/renderer.h
+++ b/include/backend/drm/renderer.h
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ struct wlr_drm_fb {
 };
 
 bool init_drm_renderer(struct wlr_drm_backend *drm,
-	struct wlr_drm_renderer *renderer, wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_render);
+	struct wlr_drm_renderer *renderer);
 void finish_drm_renderer(struct wlr_drm_renderer *renderer);
 
 bool drm_surface_make_current(struct wlr_drm_surface *surf, int *buffer_age);
diff --git a/include/wlr/backend.h b/include/wlr/backend.h
index 3337e51c6..edccc6655 100644
--- a/include/wlr/backend.h
+++ b/include/wlr/backend.h
@@ -28,20 +28,12 @@ struct wlr_backend {
 	} events;
 };
 
-typedef struct wlr_renderer *(*wlr_renderer_create_func_t)(struct wlr_egl *egl, EGLenum platform,
-	void *remote_display, EGLint *config_attribs, EGLint visual_id);
 /**
  * Automatically initializes the most suitable backend given the environment.
  * Will always return a multibackend. The backend is created but not started.
  * Returns NULL on failure.
- *
- * The compositor can request to initialize the backend's renderer by setting
- * the create_render_func. The callback must initialize the given wlr_egl and
- * return a valid wlr_renderer, or NULL if it has failed to initiaze it.
- * Pass NULL as create_renderer_func to use the backend's default renderer.
  */
-struct wlr_backend *wlr_backend_autocreate(struct wl_display *display,
-	wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func);
+struct wlr_backend *wlr_backend_autocreate(struct wl_display *display);
 /**
  * Start the backend. This may signal new_input or new_output immediately, but
  * may also wait until the display's event loop begins. Returns false on
diff --git a/include/wlr/backend/drm.h b/include/wlr/backend/drm.h
index cd0f3405d..0a307166a 100644
--- a/include/wlr/backend/drm.h
+++ b/include/wlr/backend/drm.h
@@ -23,8 +23,7 @@
  */
 struct wlr_backend *wlr_drm_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
 	struct wlr_session *session, struct wlr_device *dev,
-	struct wlr_backend *parent,
-	wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func);
+	struct wlr_backend *parent);
 
 bool wlr_backend_is_drm(struct wlr_backend *backend);
 bool wlr_output_is_drm(struct wlr_output *output);
diff --git a/include/wlr/backend/headless.h b/include/wlr/backend/headless.h
index f94812289..3eb1677d2 100644
--- a/include/wlr/backend/headless.h
+++ b/include/wlr/backend/headless.h
@@ -17,8 +17,7 @@
  * Creates a headless backend. A headless backend has no outputs or inputs by
  * default.
  */
-struct wlr_backend *wlr_headless_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
-	wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func);
+struct wlr_backend *wlr_headless_backend_create(struct wl_display *display);
 /**
  * Creates a headless backend with an existing renderer.
  */
diff --git a/include/wlr/backend/wayland.h b/include/wlr/backend/wayland.h
index e424e37a2..a32a682a1 100644
--- a/include/wlr/backend/wayland.h
+++ b/include/wlr/backend/wayland.h
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
  * default)
  */
 struct wlr_backend *wlr_wl_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
-		const char *remote, wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func);
+		const char *remote);
 
 /**
  * Returns the remote wl_display used by the Wayland backend.
diff --git a/include/wlr/backend/x11.h b/include/wlr/backend/x11.h
index 5a6f050b3..90918f3f8 100644
--- a/include/wlr/backend/x11.h
+++ b/include/wlr/backend/x11.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
  * to NULL for the default behaviour of XOpenDisplay.
  */
 struct wlr_backend *wlr_x11_backend_create(struct wl_display *display,
-	const char *x11_display, wlr_renderer_create_func_t create_renderer_func);
+	const char *x11_display);
 
 /**
  * Adds a new output to this backend. You may remove outputs by destroying them.