You’ll soon be able to test Google’s new Android Desktop mode on Pixel phones

We were already pretty excited earlier this week when Google officially made a nod to Android Desktop Mode during its I/O developer keynote, revealing a collaboration with Samsung to build upon the DeX foundation. It’s a development we’ve been tracking closely, and it signals a serious commitment to bringing a more robust, PC-like experience to Android when connected to external displays. But the good news doesn’t stop there!

As highlighted in a recent report from Android Authority, Google has now confirmed that these new desktop windowing features will be available for testing soon as a developer preview within upcoming beta releases of Android 16 QPR1 on Pixel phones. This is exactly what enthusiasts and developers have been waiting for – a chance to get hands-on with this much-anticipated functionality.

What to Expect in the Beta

During the Unlock user productivity with desktop windowing and stylus support talk at Google I/O, Francesco Romano, a Developer Relations Engineer at Google, shared the news. This means if you’re on the Android Beta Program, you should be able to test out these desktop features on your phone when connected to an external display once they land in a future QPR1 beta build. Alongside this, Android’s enhanced support for external monitors is also slated to arrive as a developer preview in the beta program.

The talk also shed more light on just how this improved desktop mode will function, painting a picture of a far more versatile and true multi-display experience:

• Independent Displays: A key detail is that the internal and external displays will operate independently. This means apps will be specific to the display they’re running on, rather than just mirroring or a limited extension.
• Extended Sessions & Free Movement: For devices like tablets that have desktop windowing enabled, connecting to an external monitor will allow the desktop session to be extended across both displays. Crucially, windows, content, and even your mouse cursor will be able to move freely between the two screens. This is the kind of seamless interaction we expect from a mature desktop environment.
• App Flexibility: There are also some more technical details that point to a more robust app experience, such as a defined minimum window size (386 x 352 dp) and the ability for apps to create custom headers.

Availability

Patience is still a virtue here. These new desktop capabilities aren’t live in the current Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 release. As Android Authority notes, it’s uncertain if they’ll make it into Beta 2, but it’s certainly a possibility. Beta timelines can be fluid, so we’ll have to keep a close watch on subsequent QPR1 beta releases.

Getting these features into a beta, even as a developer preview, is a significant step. It’s a chance for those of us very interested in Android on the desktop to see firsthand how this DeX-inspired vision is taking shape and how it might finally deliver on the promise of a powerful, native Android desktop mode.

And any fundamental improvements to how Android handles windowing and external displays have the potential to positively impact the experience of Android apps on Chromebooks, too. A more capable desktop mode in Android itself could lay the groundwork for even better app performance and integration on ChromeOS. And as we continue awaiting more news on the transition to the Android Kernel, this news obviously continues to fuel the fire of a more unified Android/ChromeOS ecosystem. Rest assured, as soon as it’s available, we’ll be diving in to check it out.