Android 16 beta 3 introduces minimise button to enhance multitasking

Google allows users to minimise button in desktop windows

Android 16 beta 3 introduces minimise button to enhance multitasking
Android 16 beta 3 introduces minimise button to enhance multitasking

Android 16 Beta 3 release has rolled out a significant update to the header bar of apps in Android’s desktop windowing mode.

In December 2024, the debut launch of freeform windowing in Android 15 QPR1 lacked a few features such as a minimise button in the header bar. 

As a result, users are required to close a window to remove it from view, which also closes the app. It may delete the user's entire data and progress, preventing multitasking.

Related: ChatGPT becomes default AI assistant of Android users: Details

With the recent update, Google allows users to minimise button in desktop windows.

Here's how to access it?

Once you enable Android’s desktop windowing mode, a small handle is added to the top of each app.

Users can put the app into desktop windowing mode by dragging the handle to the button on the tablet’s screen or clicking the handle and then selecting the desktop windowing option.

After launching the app in a window, Android integrates a header bar with the app's icon, name, and multiple buttons, such as those to maximise and choose the desktop windowing option.

Apart from minimising the desktop button, freeform windowing includes several significant enhancements, including YouTube into picture-in-picture mode, and more, ensuring an improved user experience.

Related: Google Photos unveils game-changing feature for automatic folder backups 

Google Messages introduces gallery + camera redesign with ‘HD+’ quality
Google Messages introduces gallery + camera redesign with ‘HD+’ quality
This Google Messages gallery + camera redesign experiments for a prolonged time, with it slowly trickling out over a few months
X experiments highlighting posts that are liked by users who usually disagrees
X experiments highlighting posts that are liked by users who usually disagrees
X released Community Notes after the tech billionaire Elon Musk’s takeover of the platform
Anthropic releases 'Claude Gov' for US national security customers
Anthropic releases 'Claude Gov' for US national security customers
Anthropic's latest custom Claude Gov models efficiently manage classified material
Snapchat releases Apple Watch app worldwide
Snapchat releases Apple Watch app worldwide
Snapchat is now using its watchOS app to allow users to rapidly respond to messages, not to view photos or videos
Google increases Gemini 2.5 Pro rate limit for Google AI Pro subscribers
Google increases Gemini 2.5 Pro rate limit for Google AI Pro subscribers
Google rebranded Gemini Advanced to Google AI Pro and released Google AI Ultra
Nintendo Switch 2 released with advanced features
Nintendo Switch 2 released with advanced features
Nintendo Switch 2 supports Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth, and features stereo speakers, a monaural mic, and more
Snap unveils Lens Studio iOS and web apps to create AR Lenses with AI
Snap unveils Lens Studio iOS and web apps to create AR Lenses with AI
Snap is considered a major player in AR due to its cutting-edge technology via its AR filters and Lenses.
WhatsApp to roll out fresh AI features, making app more user friendly
WhatsApp to roll out fresh AI features, making app more user friendly
WhatsApp has made the interaction of users with Meta AI easier than ever
iOS 26 to bring key feature to lock screen for music enthusiasts
iOS 26 to bring key feature to lock screen for music enthusiasts
Apple is planning to make iPhone users' experience more interactive and engaging with new updates
Google plans to use AI for email writing, organising inbox
Google plans to use AI for email writing, organising inbox
Google Deepmind is set to make the most frustrating task easier for its users
Google postpones launch of its ‘Ask Photos’ AI search feature
Google postpones launch of its ‘Ask Photos’ AI search feature
Google announced the Ask Photos feature at its annual Google I/O developer conference
ChatGPT rolls out meeting recording and connectors for Google Drive, more
ChatGPT rolls out meeting recording and connectors for Google Drive, more
OpenAI has added a range of advanced features to ChatGPT to attract more business use in enterprise settings