Samsung has long offered its users the capability to transform their smartphones or tablets into a desktop-like interface when connected to an external monitor, known famously as DeX. Now, Google appears to be moving in a similar direction by developing a desktop-mode interface for Android.
Beginning with Android 14 QPR3, Google enabled DisplayPort mirroring on devices like the Pixel 8 and newer. This allowed users to mirror their phone screen to supported displays or present content, such as a Google Slides presentation. Later, with Android 15 QPR1, Google began testing a desktop windowing experience on the Pixel Tablet through a developer preview.
These two separate efforts are now converging into a unified feature called “desktop windowing on secondary displays.” Android Authority managed to activate this developer option in the latest Android 16 beta. When connecting a Pixel 8 Pro to a laptop, for instance, the interface displays an Android Taskbar with pinned and recent apps, launcher access, and three-button navigation situated on the right side.
The top of the screen shows the usual status indicators like time and battery. Swiping down reveals a dual-column layout for Quick Settings and notifications, resembling the interface seen on Android tablets and foldables. Apps can open in movable, resizable windows that support side-by-side multitasking. Users can navigate with a physical keyboard and trackpad, and notably, the phone remains usable independently while this desktop mode is active.
It’s still unclear when this functionality will become publicly available. A broader consideration is how this ties into Google’s overall desktop computing ambitions. ChromeOS is already shifting to incorporate more Android elements behind the scenes, while Android itself is picking up features usually associated with desktop environments-potentially paving the way for Android-powered laptops or convertibles.
If Google is already developing a desktop-capable version of Android, then extending that experience to smartphones seems like a logical extension rather than a primary goal. While features like Samsung DeX have a loyal user base, Google’s overall strategy appears a bit scattered. Many users are accustomed to traditional computing devices like laptops, and transitioning to a phone-powered desktop system would require them to have external accessories-such as a display, keyboard, and mouse-or use a laptop with an OS that no longer suits their needs.
This raises the question of whether Google’s initiative is partly driven by its hardware partners, like Samsung. If the idea of using a smartphone as the core of a desktop experience is to be fully realized, it might require a purpose-built device: essentially a laptop shell featuring a screen, keyboard, touchpad, battery, and ports, with everything except the processor, which would come from the phone. For maximum convenience, this connection should ideally be wireless, creating a seamless transition from phone to desktop.
