Google is testing a new feature called Android Desktop Mode in its latest Android 16 beta version. This feature lets users connect their smartphones to a monitor and use them like a laptop or desktop computer. Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman tried out Android Desktop on a Google Pixel 8 Pro running Android 16 beta. When he connected the phone to a monitor via USB-C, the monitor displayed a PC-like interface.
The Verge’s Umar Shakir noted that Android Desktop is similar to Samsung’s DeX feature, which allows Galaxy smartphones to be connected to a monitor.
How it Works
When using Android Desktop, the status bar is at the top of the screen, showing Wi-Fi and signal strength. There’s also a taskbar at the bottom, where you can pin your favorite apps and access a “Start” button similar to Windows. Apps on Android Desktop look like they’re running on a tablet, but with added PC-like features, such as being able to move windows to the left or right side of the screen.
Mishaal Rahman believes Android Desktop won’t be ready for release with Android 16, expected this spring. It might come in a quarterly update or with Android 17, scheduled for at least 2026.
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