For years, multitasking on large-screen Android devices has been limited by the lack of native support for features that allow you to properly take advantage of the form factor. In the recent boom of Android tablets, manufacturers have had to develop proprietary options to solve the issue. However, it seems that Google is working on offering proper multitasking support on large-screen devices. This includes new features for Android desktop windowing, including “minimize.”
According to recent reports, Google intends to turn Chrome OS into Android. The main goal might be to boost productivity on Android tablets. That implies adding more features and options that make Android more similar to a laptop OS. In line with that, the OS is reportedly on the verge of receiving a fully functional freeform multi-window system.
Android 15 QPR1 could bring improved desktop windowing, including a new “minimize” option
As spotted by Mishaal Rahman of Android Authority, Google could finally bring proper desktop windowing support to Android 15 with the QPR1 update. Google has been working on it for months, introducing it in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 for the Pixel Tablet. The system allows you to turn apps into individual freeform windows like you would on a traditional laptop.
You can move and resize windows, as well as have multiple windows open at the same time. Each window’s menu offers options like changing mode, “maximize,” “minimize,” and “close.” The option to minimize windows is new, as it wasn’t present in previous betas. Enabling windowed mode fixes the taskbar to the bottom. From there you can launch new apps as windows or maximize the ones that you’ve minimized.
The system in development offers three ways to enable windowing. You can long-press and drag a “pill” that appears at the top of the app you’re using. You can also find the option in the dropdown menu of the app’s header bar. Lastly, if you’re using a keyboard, you can use the shortcut Command + Ctrl + Down.
If you trigger windowed mode for one app, all the others will adopt the same form factor. There are also three ways to return to conventional mode, starting with closing all windows. Another option is to drag the app pill back to the top of the screen. Lastly, keyboard users can resort to the shortcut Command + H.
Option to create different instances of an app in multiple windows
According to the source, Google could also integrate a “New window” option for each app. This may allow you to launch new instances of the same app in different windows. It can be especially useful in apps like Chrome, which already supports a similar feature on large-screen Android devices. In Chrome, you could even drag a tab to turn it into a new window.
If the report is accurate, the Android 15 QPR1 update, expected in December, will include the improved Android desktop windowing system.
