Google tests desktop windowing for Android tablets

Google is investigating a caller diagnostic for Android tablets that volition fto you resize apps freely and put them connected your surface astatine will, making it easier to juggle aggregate tasks. The “desktop windowing” diagnostic is present disposable arsenic a developer preview and for apps that enactment it, you could adjacent person much than 1 lawsuit open.

Currently, apps connected Android tablets unfastened successful full-screen by default. When the caller mode is enabled, each app volition look successful a model with controls that let you to reposition, maximize, oregon adjacent the app. You’ll besides spot a taskbar astatine the bottommost of your surface with your moving apps.

It sounds a batch similar the iPad’s Stage Manager feature that likewise lets you resize and determination windows astir your surface oregon beauteous overmuch immoderate desktop operating system. Samsung has besides offered its DeX acquisition for years, bringing desktop-like windows absorption to Android apps connected Galaxy phones and tablets.

Once the diagnostic is rolled retired to everyone, you tin crook it connected by pressing and holding the model grip astatine the apical of an app’s screen. If you person a keyboard attached, you tin besides usage the shortcut meta cardinal (Windows, Command, oregon Search) + Ctrl + Down to activate desktop mode. (You tin exit the mode by closing each your progressive apps, oregon by dragging a model and dragging it to the apical of your screen.)

Google notes that apps locked to representation predisposition are inactive resizable, which mightiness marque things look a spot weird if definite apps aren’t optimized. However, Google plans to code this successful a aboriginal update by scaling the UI of non-resizable apps portion maintaining their facet ratio.

For now, users tin entree the developer preview successful the latest Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 for Pixel Tablets. We inactive don’t cognize erstwhile the diagnostic is rolling retired to everyone — oregon if it volition travel to the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.