Android's Upcoming Desktop Mode Leaked in All Its Glory

The post Android's Upcoming Desktop Mode Leaked in All Its Glory appeared first on Android Headlines.

May 3, 2025 - 00:06

Back in 2017, Samsung surprised the mobile industry by announcing DeX. This technology allowed you to use a desktop-like UI by connecting your Galaxy flagship phone to an external display. The option offered relatively basic features at first, but it improved significantly over time. Today, you can even use DeX wirelessly with some devices. After several years, Android could finally get a native desktop mode.

A native desktop mode is a feature long requested by Android users. Now it seems Google has finally taken note of how great this idea is and is working on its own version.

Android is finally going to get a proper desktop mode

Android Authority spotted the first signs of Android’s native desktop mode back in March. At the time, there was an “Enable desktop experience features” toggle available in developer options. The option was only listed, but there was no working implementation yet. Now, a few weeks later, Google appears to have advanced development by integrating an early version that actually works. Thanks to this, the same source who found the first hints of the feature now offers us a first glimpse.

Being an early version, it still has a long way to go. So, what we see now might not be exactly what the final version will look like. In fact, Google isn’t expected to officially launch it in Android 16. However, the report says that Android’s desktop mode could be ready for the announcement of Android 17 in 2026.

What does this new desktop mode bring us?

According to the report, Android’s upcoming desktop mode includes a taskbar and a status bar. The status bar is the classic one that permanently displays some indicators (time, battery, etc.), notifications, and shortcuts to useful options. On the other hand, the taskbar appears to be the main improvement in this mode.

The taskbar will allow you to have your favorite pinned apps at your fingertips so you can open them instantly. It will also show the most recent apps you’ve used so you can return to them quickly. The taskbar is designed to boost productivity and multitasking in many ways. The report mentions an improved app drawer as well.

Of course, like any desktop mode, support for floating windows is a must. You’ll be able to have multiple apps open at the same time in windows that you can move and resize to your liking. It’s unclear whether there’s a strict limit on the number of windows you can open.

Given what we’ve seen, Google seems to be using Android’s “desktop windowing” feature as a base. “Desktop windowing” is available on tablets running Android 15. It enables a desktop-like UI on your tablet’s screen, but it doesn’t work with external displays. Meanwhile, the upcoming desktop mode is expected to support external displays—yes, plural—and work with phones too.

Leaks about Android’s desktop mode are quite promising. Finally, the prayers of those who have been requesting a proper desktop mode for the world’s most popular mobile OS will be answered. Hopefully, more news will emerge soon.

The post Android's Upcoming Desktop Mode Leaked in All Its Glory appeared first on Android Headlines.