NIXSOLUTIONS: Android 16 Gets New Multitasking Features

Multitasking on Android has been a standard feature for years, but significant updates in this area have been lacking. Currently, smartphones and tablets running the original OS allow only two applications to run simultaneously. While some interface shells provide additional features, Android itself has not offered more multitasking options. However, with Android 16, it seems the limit may increase to three simultaneously running applications.

NIX Solutions

Convenience of Three-Application Multitasking

Running two applications on one screen is a practical feature for devices of all sizes. For larger displays, working with three applications at once could be even more convenient. Some custom interfaces, like Samsung’s One UI, Lenovo’s “PC Mode,” and the Open Canvas feature on OnePlus devices, already support similar functionality. Now, Google appears to be preparing its own take on this multitasking improvement.

Journalists from Android Authority have identified evidence of this feature in an early version of Android 16. In Developer Preview 2 (DP2), a “flexible” multitasking system suggests support for running up to three apps simultaneously. Although this functionality is not operational in the preview, a demonstration hints at adding a third app in split-screen mode, similar to Open Canvas.

Future Prospects and Updates

Google has yet to confirm this feature officially, but the demonstration suggests that multitasking on devices with stock Android—and potentially other OS versions—could become more seamless, adds NIXSOLUTIONS. This improvement would particularly benefit tablets and larger devices.

While it’s still unclear when the feature will be fully functional, we’ll keep you updated as more information and integrations become available. The prospect of enhanced multitasking in Android 16 hints at a step forward for productivity and usability on Android devices.