Android 17 Adds 5-App Bubbles for Floating Multitasking

Q: Will Android's game-changing multitasking feature remain exclusive to Pixel phones?

No. App Bubbles appears to be an Android 17 platform feature, not a permanent Pixel-only exclusive. Google rolled it out first on Pixel phones as part of the June 2026 Pixel Drop, which is why the feature is currently most visible on devices like the Pixel 9 Pro, 10 Pro, and Pixel foldables. But the broader Android 17 rollout is scheduled to reach other eligible Android devices through 2026, and beta versions are already available on partner hardware from brands including Honor, Lenovo, OnePlus, OPPO, vivo, Xiaomi, and others. That said, there is an important caveat. While the underlying capability is part of Android 17, how widely and consistently users see it may depend on phone makers. Some manufacturers can modify or limit multi-window behavior, and parts of the experience—such as the launcher-based “Bubble” shortcut—may rely on system-level integration that is easiest for Google to deliver on Pixel devices and default launchers. So the evidence points to App Bubbles expanding beyond Pixel, but not necessarily with identical behavior on every Android phone. In practice, Pixel users are getting it first and most cleanly, while broader adoption will depend on how quickly other manufacturers ship Android 17 and whether they preserve Google’s implementation.

3 articles · Updated · Android Police · Jun 24

Google’s Android 17 lets users run apps in floating windows that collapse into persistent bubbles, creating a new multitasking option beyond split-screen and quick app switching.
Up to five bubbles can stay active at once; opening a sixth automatically replaces the oldest, while closed bubbles can be reopened from a recent list.
Users create a bubble by long-pressing an app icon and tapping Bubble, then can drag it around the screen, minimize it with an outside tap, or dismiss it by dragging to an X.
The feature works with apps such as Gmail, Slack, Gemini and YouTube, offering a less intrusive alternative to picture-in-picture for quick returns to ongoing tasks.
Android 17 also adds smaller upgrades including easier screen reaction recordings, tougher security protections and LHDCv5 support, but App Bubbles stands out as its headline usability change.