GoKawiilJoe Maring / Android Authority
Last year, I switched to a Pixel 10 Pro after six years with Samsung, and while I love my Pixel and have no intention of going back, there are things I miss from the Samsung experience. Pop-up windows are one of the features I miss the most, and to my surprise and delight, Google’s version — app bubbles — are available to test in Android 17 Beta 3.
My happiness is immeasurable, and my day is made. At least it would be if I hadn’t already found a major annoyance with Google’s new multitasking feature.
Are you excited for Android 17's app bubbles? 35 votes Yes 40 % No 37 % I don't know until I try them 23 %
App bubbles are my favorite new Android feature
An app bubble is what its name suggests — a movable, collapsible bubble that contains an app. If you’ve used Android’s chat bubbles, app bubbles will feel very familiar. Android 17 lets you open any app on your phone or tablet in a small window that you can dismiss and summon without leaving the app you’re already in. There are so many ways a feature like this comes in handy, from easily accessing notes and shopping lists while browsing to jumping between apps while copying and pasting.
I use app bubbles the most while listening to media. Now, I can keep my music or podcast app open as a bubble and easily dismiss it to get back to what I’m doing without any fuss, just like I did with One UI. I know it’s a small thing, but this is how I’ve been using my phone since 2019 with my Galaxy S10 Plus, so being able to do the same with my Pixel is a big deal for me.
Unfortunately, they’re far from perfect
Android 17 One UI 8.5 One UI 8.5
If app bubbles are so great, what’s the problem? I’m glad you asked.
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