Android 16 Bringing Native Desktop Mode To Rival Samsung DeX

With smartphones getting more powerful each and every generation, it makes sense to harness that power and put it to good use maybe even as a personal computer, and the folks at Mountain View are also thinking about that, at least accordning to this latest piece of news.

Google is actively developing a native desktop mode for Android, aiming to provide an integrated alternative to Samsung DeX. This upcoming feature, hidden within the code of Android 16, was recently tested by Android Authority, which managed to activate it for the first time.

While the mode appears to be in an advanced stage of development, it is not yet complete. Its official rollout could happen in a future quarterly update for Android 16 or possibly only with the release of Android 17.

What sets this native desktop mode apart is its fully functional interface, which resembles Samsung DeX but offers the distinct advantage of being built directly into the Android operating system. This means it could be accessible to a much wider range of Android devices, rather than being limited to Samsung hardware.

During early testing, the interface revealed several desktop-like elements, including a taskbar, status bar, and a vertical app drawer designed for use on horizontally oriented screens, much like traditional computer monitors.

The mode already supports key multitasking features such as pinning favorite apps, switching between tasks, and opening applications in free-floating, resizable windows. These capabilities echo the freeform window mode introduced on Android tablets with version 15, now adapted for a broader desktop experience.

One of the most notable enhancements is the ability to manage multiple displays. Users will be able to utilize the phone’s screen as a secondary display, allowing them to move and position content between the external monitor and the phone in a way similar to what is found in desktop operating systems like Windows.

Although Google has yet to officially announce the feature, it is likely that the company will introduce it soon, especially given the upcoming major events scheduled for May. The development of this desktop mode also aligns with Google’s broader strategy to unify Android and ChromeOS.

For this convergence to succeed, Android must evolve to better support productivity-focused interfaces, and this desktop mode is a significant step in that direction.

Still hidden from public view, the Android native desktop mode remains in development. However, its current level of polish suggests that it has the potential to change how Android smartphones are used in work and productivity contexts. By making desktop-like functionality available to all compatible devices, Google could democratize a feature that has so far been exclusive to select manufacturers.

Filed in Cellphones. Read more about Desktop and Google.