Google appears to be advancing work on a native desktop mode for Android, according to a recently surfaced report based on leaked source code. The feature, tentatively titled “Android Desktop Mode,” would enable users to connect their smartphones to external displays and use them like a regular PC.
The first references to desktop mode within Android’s codebase emerged in 2023. While the initial discovery hinted at early experimentation, the latest code leak suggests Google has made significant progress and may be preparing the feature for public release in a future Android version.
Android Desktop Mode is designed to mimic a traditional desktop computer. According to the leak, it will include features such as:
These features aim to improve productivity by allowing users to use their smartphones like desktop computers when connected to larger screens.
The leaked source code indicates that the desktop mode will activate when a phone is connected to an external display via a USB-C port. Although there is no confirmation yet, support for wireless display connections could be added later, similar to how Samsung DeX and Motorola Smart Connect currently function.
Despite progress, the desktop mode feature is still undergoing refinement and is not expected to be ready for Android 16. Sources familiar with the development suggest it will likely debut with Android 17, starting with the next generation of Google Pixel devices.
As with many new Android features, broader support from other manufacturers is expected to follow after the initial release on Pixel phones.
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