- Google is testing a new feature in Chrome for Android that automatically requests the desktop version of websites when used in the new Desktop Mode.
- The feature works by changing the browser’s user agent when connected to an external display, so sites don’t load their mobile layouts by default.
- This change is part of Google’s broader effort to enhance Android’s recently introduced Desktop Mode, making it a more viable PC alternative.
The number of Google Chrome alternatives has shot up in the past year thanks to the rise of generative AI, but Chrome remains the top dog in the browser space. While Chrome may fall behind competitors in some areas, its support for new Android features is second to none. Case in point: Google is working on a new feature that makes Chrome work better in Android’s Desktop Mode, which was only recently released as an experimental developer preview.
For context, Desktop Mode is a new feature in Android 16 QPR1 that provides a desktop-like interface when you connect a compatible Pixel phone to an external display. Rather than simply mirroring the phone’s screen, Android extends it, allowing apps to launch in freeform windows by default. Apps that are optimized for larger screens will show their tablet UIs, creating a more productive experience.