Android 17 added a feature so good I can't stop raving about it
Android Police 2026-06-24 12:15:10
Context: Google has introduced a new multitasking feature called App Bubbles in Android 17, allowing users to run entire apps inside floating bubbles, making it easier to switch between apps. This feature has been praised by tech journalist Sanuj Bhatia, who has been using Android 17 since the early beta builds on his Pixel 9 Pro. The feature is designed to make everyday use of Android phones smoother and more efficient.
Key Facts
- Android 17's App Bubbles feature allows users to launch an app in a floating window, which can be kept accessible while other apps are used, and minimized to a small bubble when not needed.
- App Bubbles can be created by long-pressing an app icon and selecting the "Bubble" option, and up to five App Bubbles can be active at once, with the oldest bubble being automatically replaced if a sixth one is opened.
- The feature is designed to make multitasking easier, allowing users to quickly switch between apps, and can be used with almost any app, not just messaging apps like Facebook Messenger's old chat heads.
- App Bubbles can be freely moved anywhere on the screen, and tapping outside the floating window minimizes it back into a bubble, which can be reopened by tapping the plus icon and selecting it from the list of recent App Bubbles.
- Google has added several other features to Android 17, including easier screen reaction recordings and tougher security protections, but App Bubbles is considered one of the best multitasking implementations in Android in a long time.