Android Desktop Mode arrives on Pixel 8 and newer phones

The idea of turning a smartphone into a desktop PC has drawn interest from manufacturers, developers and some consumers, but earlier hardware attempts such as Asus' PadFone and the Motorola Atrix Lapdock did not catch on as vendors expected. Microsoft discontinued its Continuum feature for Windows 10 Mobile in 2017. Samsung's DeX and Motorola's Smart Connect continue to offer PC-like experiences on their phones.

To use Android Desktop Mode, a Pixel 8 or newer Google phone must be connected to an external monitor with a high-speed USB-C cable. A pop-up will prompt the user to switch to Android Desktop Mode or mirror the phone's display. After selecting Desktop, a mouse and keyboard can be attached via Bluetooth or a USB hub. Google has not announced the feature's availability on non-Pixel devices, according to Engadget.

Apps open in windows that can be resized, and a start menu opens the App Drawer. Pulling down from the top shows notifications. ZDNet noted that Desktop Mode ran smoothly with no hiccups while multiple applications were running. If the phone is disconnected and reconnected, Desktop Mode preserves the active window layout to help users resume where they left off if they did not close the apps on the phone. Apps cannot be added to the desktop's home screen, so they must be opened from the start menu. Most games built for phones do not support keyboard inputs, though Engadget reported that content creator leepspvideo ran Steam games natively through Desktop Mode with apps such as GameNative.

Android Desktop Mode's limits depend on the task. Simple document editing and watching YouTube videos run smoothly, but heavier work such as photo editing may run into problems, Engadget reported. HowToGeek found that the software currently caps the frame rate at 60 Hz, despite videos running smoothly. Users on Reddit noted a lack of 4K support, which the article called a big deal when connecting with large monitors. In Desktop Mode, the phone does not run Chrome extensions, even if they can run on Apple Silicon or Windows on ARM devices, so editing tools like Grammarly and tab manager OneTab will not function as expected.

Running a desktop UI with floating windows from a smartphone also stresses the hardware. Android Police's testing found that the phone turned hot to the touch after 30 minutes of light usage in Desktop Mode. Prolonged sessions of running Android like a desktop can weaken battery endurance at a higher pace than regular use, according to the report. Engadget said Android Desktop Mode is a step in the right direction for mobile productivity and is worth testing for owners of newer Pixel devices.