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Remember Android 12L? Google retired it in early 2022, and after years of focusing on phones, it finally gave some love to big screens like tablets back then. One of the big changes is the taskbar. It was there, stuck to the bottom of the screen, promising quick app switching and multitasking. Desktop computers have been rocking this feature for years, so it made a lot of sense for Android to finally join the party. However, that initial taskbar turned out to be quite clunky. A static bar that takes up space at the bottom of your screen whether you need it or not. Sure, you can temporarily hide it, but it’s always visible by default, and screen space was limited on large-screen devices not as big as a 14-inch tablet.
That changed last year when Android 13 QPR2 was redesigned and introduced the taskbar. Instead of being always there, the taskbar has been replaced with a pill-shaped bar that pops up with a quick swipe and disappears after a few seconds. This new take debuted on Google’s Pixel Tablet and Fold, and finally made its way to other large-screen devices with Android 14.
Old taskbar and new taskbar | Source: Android Authority
The new taskbar is definitely easier to use for most users, but if the taskbar isn’t persistent, it will take more swipes and taps to get to where you want it to go, making multitasking more difficult. Users who do may not feel the same way. However, according to Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman, Google is working on a fix for his next version of Android.
As we discovered while reviewing new features in Android 15 Developer Preview 2, the old-style “always there” taskbar is making a comeback. However, there is a new trick. Swipe up on the taskbar, press and hold on an empty space, and a toggle labeled “Always show taskbar” will magically appear. Toggling this on will return the taskbar to its classic appearance. Toggling this off will bring back the new floating style. This is the best of both worlds and is entirely up to user preference.
This is a very encouraging sign of what’s to come Android 15, and the potential it brings if adopted by other OEMs, is a huge win for Android users around the world. The potential for even more customization and personalization is exciting, and I’m excited to see how it continues to evolve in the future.
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