Android 17 lets Pixel users bubble up to five apps
Google's Pixel phones are first to get the Android 17 bubble feature, which keeps apps as floating icons on the screen edge.
Android 17 adds a feature that lets users keep apps running as floating icons on top of other content, according to ZDNET. The capability starts as a Pixel exclusive and is planned to reach other manufacturers over time.
Users can bubble up to five apps at once. To bubble an app, long-press it on the home screen or in the app drawer and choose the Bubble option.
Bubbled app icons can be moved along the left or right edge of the screen, and multiple bubbled apps move together as a group.
A familiar idea from Samsung
Samsung Galaxy phones already offer a comparable feature called Smart Pop-Up View, which can require enabling Multi window for all apps.
Android previously brought bubbling to text conversations several years ago, when a chat could be floated as an icon on the home screen.
Quick answers
How many apps can I bubble at once on Android 17?
Up to five apps can be bubbled at the same time.
How do I bubble an app in Android 17?
Long-press the app on the home screen or in the app drawer, then choose the Bubble option.
Is the Android 17 bubble feature available on non-Pixel phones?
It starts as a Pixel exclusive and is planned to reach other manufacturers over time.