Android lets you ‘bubble’ apps for easy access now – how it works
Android now allows users to 'bubble' apps for easy access, making multitasking more convenient. This feature is currently exclusive to Pixel devices.
Original reporting · zdnet.com
Read “Android lets you ‘bubble’ apps for easy access now – how it works” at ZDNET AI →
How this was written. Content Memory wrote this article with a language model from ZDNET AI’s reporting (model: @cf/meta/llama-3.3-70b-instruct-fp8-fast); it describes that reporting rather than adding to it. The original, linked above, is the full story.
Key points from ZDNET AI’s report
- Android has introduced a new feature that allows users to 'bubble' apps for easy access.
- The feature is currently exclusive to Pixel devices, but it is expected to come to other manufacturers over time.
- The app bubbling feature allows users to place up to five apps in a bubble, which sits on top of everything else on the screen.
Android has introduced a new feature that allows users to 'bubble' apps, making it easier to access frequently used applications. This feature is an extension of the existing ability to bubble text conversations, which was introduced several years ago. The app bubbling feature is part of the Android 17 rollout.
According to ZDNET AI, the app bubbling feature allows users to place up to five apps in a bubble, which sits on top of everything else on the screen. This makes it easy to access the apps when needed, saving a tap or two each time. The feature is a convenient multitasking tool for users who have a handful of apps they use often.
The feature is currently exclusive to Pixel devices, but it is expected to come to other manufacturers over time. Samsung has a similar feature called Smart Pop Up View, which allows users to respond to notifications on selected apps without leaving the app they are in. However, the instructions for using this feature are different from those for the Android app bubbling feature.
To bubble an app on a Google Pixel, users need to go to their home screen or app drawer, long-press the app they want to bubble, and select the 'Bubble' option from the pop-up menu. The app will then shrink to an icon that can be moved around the home screen, although it can only be placed along the left or right side of the screen.
The app bubbling feature has the potential to improve user experience by making it easier to access frequently used apps. As the feature becomes available on more devices, it is likely to become a popular tool for multitasking. ZDNET AI reported that the feature is a convenient way to keep a conversation or app easily accessible, and it is expected to be a useful addition to the Android operating system.
The availability of the app bubbling feature on other devices will depend on the manufacturers, but it is expected to be rolled out over time. As more users get access to the feature, it is likely to become a standard tool for multitasking on Android devices.
Questions and answers
How do I bubble an app on a Google Pixel?
To bubble an app on a Google Pixel, go to your home screen or app drawer, long-press the app you want to bubble, and select the 'Bubble' option from the pop-up menu.
Is the app bubbling feature available on all Android devices?
The app bubbling feature is currently exclusive to Pixel devices, but it is expected to come to other manufacturers over time.
How many apps can I bubble at once?
You can bubble up to five apps at once, and they will always move together.
