Google is preparing to launch a desktop mode for Android. According to leaked source codes reported by Mishaal Rahman, the feature will offer a large screen interface just like Samsung DeX and Motorola’s Smart Connect. While early signs of this feature were spotted as far back as 2023, this new leak indicates the project is closer to release than ever before.
A desktop-like experience for Android phones
This feature, called Android Desktop Mode, is a productivity tool and will allow Android users to use larger screens more conveniently. If this feature is active, the phone interface will be the regular desktop layout. It will have completely resizable windows, a taskbar-like bar and app shortcuts. The setup will offer more flexibility than the regular Android screen. It will be similar to how Windows or Chrome OS handles apps.
How it works: external display required
To use desktop mode, users will need to connect their phone to an external display, most likely through a USB-C cable. However, the report doesn’t rule out wireless connections in the future. Samsung and Motorola already support wireless modes, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Google adds that feature later.
Expected launch with Android 17, likely on Pixel phones first
Although the leaked code gives us a good look at the current state of development, the feature is still not fully polished. It’s unlikely to launch with Android 16, which is expected later this year. Instead, sources suggest desktop mode will arrive with Android 17, likely debuting first on Pixel phones. That approach would follow Google’s usual pattern of introducing new features on its in-house devices before expanding to other brands.
Why this matters
Any feature that improves the user experience of a smartphone is a welcome development. With the Android Desktop Mode, a regular phone could be used as a compact work device. If the user has access to a large screen, mouse and keyboard, they could access the web, write emails and edit documents seamlessly. Also, for those who are always working on the go, this could be a backup setup. Indeed, to could be a game-changer for productivity.
In short, this move shows that Google is taking big-screen productivity seriously. While Samsung and Motorola have been ahead in this space for years, a native Android version of desktop mode could lead to broader adoption, especially if Google refines the user interface and brings support to more devices over time.
Until then, all eyes are on Android 17 and the next generation of Pixel phones, where we may finally see Google’s take on the desktop experience.
