Danny Weber
Android 17 adds App Bubbles, letting apps run in floating windows over other tasks. The feature is especially useful on foldables and tablets.
Android 17 introduces App Bubbles, a feature that gives multitasking on smartphones and tablets a noticeable boost. While Google is heavily promoting its artificial intelligence tools, this update may turn out to be one of the most useful additions for everyday device use.
With App Bubbles, users can run many apps in floating windows on top of other programs. To do that, they simply press and hold an app icon and select the new “Bubble” option. The app then opens in a compact floating window that can be moved around the screen.
The feature supports using several apps at once. These windows can stay active, be quickly collapsed into a bubble, and reopened with a single tap when needed. They can be closed with a familiar gesture: dragging them down the screen.
The update should be especially handy for owners of foldable phones and tablets. In Android 17, these devices get a dedicated Bubble Bar that keeps active floating apps in one place. It helps make better use of a larger screen and keeps several tasks within easy reach.
The idea of floating windows itself is not new and has previously appeared in messengers and some Android skins. Now, however, the technology is built directly into the system and works with a wide range of apps.
Android 17 has already started rolling out to compatible Pixel devices, while other manufacturers, including Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO and other brands, are expected to release their own versions based on it during 2026.
© A. Krivonosov