Android 15 could bring a new desktop mode

Most people use Android on their smartphones, so they don’t really expect a desktop-like experience from the operating system. However, as smartphones and tablets have become more capable, the possibility of using them as desktop computers has increased significantly. Now, as discovered by Mishaal Rahman, Android 15 may introduce a new desktop mode.

Android now has a desktop mode. However, it is very limited. It basically serves to place Android apps on a bloated screen. However, the app never really takes advantage of the added screen space. Also, app windows didn’t have a proper top bar like you’d find on macOS or Windows. So running multiple apps in Windows mode didn’t really provide much benefit.

Android 15 could bring a new desktop mode

Currently, people are eagerly looking into the Android 15 developer preview and Android 14 QPR 3 beta 2.1 update. The latter is where Rahman discovered his Android 15’s new desktop mode. After doing something, he could know that his Google did not forget about his Android’s desktop mode.

As you can see in the video above, it’s very easy to switch an app from full-screen mode to windowed mode. In full-screen mode, you can use the small handle at the top to choose between popping out into a window or going into split-screen mode.

In windowed mode, the app displays a top bar. The top bar displays the app icon and name. You’ll see a carat pointing down right next to your name, and you’ll see an option to choose full screen or split screen.

On the right side of the top bar, you’ll see an option to make the app nearly full screen. It fills the entire screen, but stops at the status bar, leaving a little space at the bottom. Next to that button, you’ll see an X button to close the window.

The great thing about these windows is that you can resize them as you like. It seems that the size can be changed with considerable precision.

At this point, it’s hard to tell whether Google will release this new desktop mode in the final build of Android 15. we have to wait.

April 3, 2024