For Android 15, Google is working on significant changes to desktop mode with a focus on better windowing capabilities.
Google has had a desktop mode available for a while. First released in Android 10, this was left in a barebones state enabling developers to test apps for multi-display windows.
Desktop mode has been making steady progress, now able to handle a side-by-side display with two apps running in-display. More apps can be opened simultaneously using the ‘freeform’ multi-window experience, but with plenty of caveats.
But now, Google is working towards improving the multi-window Android desktop experience with some progress. This article notes certain additions through tinkering with developer flags on the latest Android 14 QPR3 2.1 beta build.
The refined multi-window feature is shown in the video above. This shows a new title bar with a small menu appearing once you tap the small handle on top of a full screen app.
The menu contains options for full screen, split screen, or freeform modes. In freeform mode, windows can be dragged around and resized freely. A ‘snap to edge’ feature also lets end users snap a window to the left or right side of the screen.
You can even skip the entire menu and go from a full screen app and directly into a freeform window. Just hold and drag the new handle on top of a full screen app.
Additionally, there’s still now window positioning or keyboard shortcuts for snapping, nor is there a proper desktop launcher.
These are improvements to productivity, slated to arrive alongside Android 15 in the near future. Google might even market these as part of the Pixel 9 experience upon releases coming around Q4 of the year.
