Google is making a daring move to turn your smartphone into a desktop computer. The tech giant is working on a new feature dubbed Android DesktopMode, which might appear in later Android versions, with the goal of converting Pixel phones into portable computers, much like Samsung’s DeX feature.

Mishaal Rahman, an Android specialist, found the function and informed Android Authority of his discoveries. Rahman enabled the desktop mode on his Pixel 8 Pro using the most recent Android 16 beta by turning on developer settings. A PC-like interface appeared on the external display as soon as he plugged the phone into a USB-C-capable monitor. You may watch his video to see the demonstration:

This new mode provides a desktop-style interface, similar to Samsung DeX. Wi-Fi, battery, and signal information are shown in the status bar that displays at the top. A taskbar at the bottom allows users to pin programs they use regularly. Android’s navigation keys are positioned handily on the right side of the taskbar, and there’s even a Windows-style app drawer. Users may snap windows to the sides, exactly as on a PC, and apps launch in resizable windows, similar to what is seen on Android tablets.

Google’s first iteration of this mode only allowed for basic window scaling on a bigger screen. But a display location function was included in the most recent release in March. By mirroring desktop operating systems, this enables users to customize the way the mobile and monitor displays interact and move the pointer between screens with ease.

Rahman warns that the final Android 16 version, which is anticipated this spring, may not feature Android Desktop Mode despite the hype. He said, “It might be pushed to Android 17 or even roll out in a quarterly update, probably arriving in 2026.”

Android Desktop Mode has the potential to drastically change how we use smartphones by erasing the distinction between desktop and mobile computing if it is fully developed.