Android 15’s revamped desktop mode takes one step nearer to launch

The Android 15 replace is nearly right here, however a few of its most enjoyable new options sadly aren’t prepared for the highlight. For instance, we reported earlier this yr that Google is engaged on a higher desktop mode that comes with enhanced windowing capabilities. That characteristic is nowhere to be seen within the closing beta of Android 15, and we extremely doubt it’ll go stay within the upcoming secure launch both. Nevertheless, there’s a risk we may see Android’s revamped desktop mode roll out in one of many upcoming quarterly platform releases of Android 15, and the primary QPR1 beta hints at simply that.

Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 is rolling out immediately, and whereas digging by way of the replace, we found a brand new toggle below Settings > System > Developer choices. The toggle is known as Allow desktop mode on secondary show, and it replaces the previous Drive desktop mode toggle in earlier variations of Android. After enabling the brand new toggle, Android 15 requested me to reboot my machine so as to proceed.

As soon as I rebooted, I manually created a secondary show and tried to launch some apps onto it. Sadly, not one of the apps used Android’s new windowing choices I noticed again in April. The identical again, reduce, maximize, and shut buttons had been proven, however that was all. There wasn’t a deal with on the high that opened up right into a menu the place I may swap between full-screen, split-screen, and freeform mode. There additionally wasn’t a title bar with the app’s identify or icon, a dropdown to open the windowing menu, nor was there window snapping help.

Digging deeper, it appears another configuration flags nonetheless must be set earlier than Android’s revamped desktop mode is definitely proven on secondary shows. These flags are at the moment disabled by default in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1, although, so it appears the Google crew continues to be intent on hiding their work on the brand new desktop mode till it’s extra prepared. That is sensible contemplating how half-baked it at the moment is, even in the latest beta.

When Android’s revamped desktop mode expertise does launch, there’s a risk it may run instantly on tablets, too, as we beforehand reported. The largest factor lacking from the brand new desktop mode is a correct launcher, however maybe Google intends to take the “New Samsung DeX” strategy and easily create a devoted area the place apps may be launched in freeform home windows. Many individuals are hoping that Google will create a full-fledged Android desktop mode expertise, although, and judging by present progress, we’re nonetheless fairly a bit away from this characteristic ever releasing if that’s certainly the intention.