GoKawiilGoogle has released Android 17 Beta 3, and with it comes one of the update’s most anticipated features — app bubbles.
Think of it as a cleaner evolution of Android’s older floating window system. You could technically create similar bubbles before using freeform windows, but the process was clunky. You had to open an app in a floating window from the recents screen and then minimize it to a bubble. It worked, but it wasn’t something most people would bother using regularly.
Think of app bubbles as a cleaner evolution of Android's older floating window system.
Android 17’s app bubbles fix that problem. The new system cuts out those extra steps and makes it much easier to create, use, and manage floating apps, turning it into a proper multitasking feature instead of a hidden trick.
Before getting into all the ways I used Android 17’s new app bubbles to multitask better, here’s a quick look at how the feature actually works.
How app bubbles work on Android 17 Beta 3
App bubbles let you keep apps floating on your screen and jump in and out whenever you need. They are quicker to handle, easier to manage, and honestly, just more fun to use.
Setting up app bubbles is pretty straightforward and intuitive. Right now, the feature only works on Android 17 Beta 3, so that’s the first thing you’ll need to start using it. You can also wait for the stable Android 17 rollout, in which case, this article should give you a good idea of how app bubbles will work for you in the future.
Here’s how you can make and manage app bubbles: Long-press any app icon and select the “bubble” option
The app opens in a small floating window that you can tap out of for it to show up as a floating bubble on your screen.
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