Devices running Android 16 will pick up a new trick when the software update rolls out later this year: The ability to run a desktop-style interface while connected to an external display.
An early version of the idea was spotted for phones in betas of Android 16, but as 9to5Google noticed, Google made the feature official during its developer keynote.
According to the presentation, the new windowing and external display feature was created in collaboration with Samsung, “building on the foundation of Samsung DeX, to bring enhanced desktop windowing capabilities in Android 16.”
Prior to this official support, Samsung DeX was a custom feature Samsung built into One UI that allowed certain Samsung phones and tablets to display a desktop-style interface while connected to a display.
In a blog post touting the advantages of developing adaptive apps, Google says that Android 16 offers “a true desktop-like experience on large screens and when devices are connected to external displays.”
When the Android 16 software update is released later this year, devices running it will gain a new feature: the capacity to operate a desktop-style interface when an external display is connected. During its developer keynote, Google officially announced the feature, although 9to5Google had already noticed an early version of the concept for phones in Android 16 betas.
The new windowing and external display feature was developed in partnership with Samsung, “to bring enhanced desktop windowing capabilities in Android 16 by building on the foundation of Samsung DeX,” according to the presentation. Samsung DeX was a proprietary feature that Samsung integrated into One UI prior to this official support, enabling specific Samsung phones and tablets to show a desktop-style interface when plugged into a display.
The same goal appears to be pursued by Google’s implementation, which includes docking for your most used apps and resizable windows. Additionally, the company seems amenable to the feature being available on phones and tablets. Google claims in a blog post highlighting the benefits of creating adaptive apps that Android 16 provides “a true desktop-like experience on large screens and when devices are connected to external displays.”. Support for this desktop experience may still depend on phone manufacturers allowing it and app developers making sure their apps work well with resizable windows, even though Google’s language leaves things open-ended.
