Google is taking a major step toward turning Android into a full-fledged desktop OS with Android 16. A new beta reveals improved external display management, allowing users to extend their phone’s screen instead of just mirroring it. Though still in early development, this feature could position Android as a serious competitor to traditional desktop operating systems.
Currently, Android’s external display support is limited—users must tweak developer options to switch between mirroring and extending, and the mouse cursor is restricted to one screen. However, Google is working on key improvements, such as seamless cursor movement between screens, the ability to rearrange display positions, and independent scaling options. These features will make Android function more like Windows and macOS.
While these enhancements aren’t fully enabled in the latest Android 16 beta, they are hidden within the system, hinting at Google’s long-term goal of making Android a desktop-ready OS. Future updates may even unify Android and Chrome OS, streamlining Google’s software ecosystem.
