Android’s Desktop Mode Now Features App Pinning to Taskbar

For those who enjoy connecting their Android phone to a larger screen for a desktop-like experience, some exciting news is on the horizon. Google is actively refining Android’s Desktop Mode, and a new feature is set to make your workflow smoother: the “pin to taskbar” feature.

This upcoming addition means you’ll soon be able to keep your most-used applications right on the desktop taskbar. Basically, this will offer you quick and convenient access. If you’ve ever found yourself wanting a more familiar desktop-style management app on Android, this is a significant step in that direction. The move aligns with Google’s intentions to merge Android and Chrome OS.

Your apps just a tap away on Android’s desktop mode thanks to “pin to taskbar”

How will it work? When you’re in Android’s Desktop Mode, a new “pin to taskbar” shortcut will appear in an app’s context menu. A simple click will add that app’s icon directly to your dock. So, the app will be easily launchable whenever you need it, even after you’ve closed it. And if you change your mind, unpinning an app is just as simple. You can just drag its icon off the dock or use the “unpin from taskbar” option.

Considering recent news, this isn’t just a minor tweak (spotted by Android Authority). It represents a key move in Google’s ongoing efforts to elevate Android as a more robust and competitive “desktop” platform. Think of it as a direct challenge to devices like the iPad, which have long offered a more refined tablet-to-desktop transition. By improving app management and the overall user experience in Desktop Mode, Google aims to make your Android device even more versatile.

The ability to pin apps offers a tangible improvement in productivity and convenience. Whether you’re juggling multiple tasks, frequently switching between communication apps, or simply want instant access to your go-to tools, having them readily available on a taskbar brings a familiar desktop efficiency to your Android setup.

The feature is currently available in the latest Android Canary build (based on Android 16). There are no details yet on when it might officially arrive in the stable branch.