Android 16 Brings On-Device Desktop Windowing to Tablets, but Foldables Miss Out

Android 16 brings several improvements for large-screen devices to enhance productivity. But if you are hoping that the latest Android version would finally let you run apps in floating windows on your foldable phone, you might be disappointed. Google has confirmed that foldable phones won’t support on-device windowing capability in Android 16.

Google introduces desktop windowing in Android 16

One of the notable upgrades in Android 16 is the support for desktop windowing. With this addition, Google aims to offer users a powerful multitasking tool to boost their productivity. The Mountain View company teamed up with Samsung to develop desktop windowing that allows users to interact with their apps and content on large-screen devices. In a way, Samsung DeX is now part of Android 16 in the form of Desktop Mode, allowing other Android devices to enjoy it.

This feature works both via an external display and directly on large-screen devices like tablets. On your tablet, you will be able to open, group, and resize multiple app windows directly on the device, making multitasking easier on larger screens — you don’t even need an external display. Unfortunately, despite having large and flexible displays, foldable phones won’t offer the on-device functionality, at least not yet.

In a statement to Ars Technica, Google confirmed that that despite the added screen real estate, foldables like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold won’t have on-device windowing like tablets. Phones and foldables will only have the connected display option for the desktop interface. However, there’s a catch — not all devices running Android 16 will have this capability, as it depends on whether the OEM decides to support it. Google also said that Pixel phones will support windowing, but some Android 16 devices will only offer a basic screen mirroring option for external screens.

Regarding the availability, Google said that desktop windowing will be available later this year. So, even if you are running Android 16 right now, you will have to wait for a few months to experience this multitasking tool. It will be interesting to see if Samsung offers on-device windowing capability with One uI 8 on its Galaxy Z Fold 7.