recents screen Archives

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

6 ways I’m already using Android 17’s app bubbles to multitask better

Google has released Android 17 Beta 3, featuring app bubbles, which enhance multitasking by allowing users to keep applications floating on their screens for quick access. Users can create app bubbles by long-pressing any app icon and selecting the "bubble" option, which opens the app in a small floating window that can be minimized into a bubble. Multiple bubbles can be stacked, and tapping a stack expands it for easy management. Users can remove bubbles by dragging them to an "X" button, and on foldable devices, bubbles can be arranged in a taskbar-style layout. The app bubbles feature allows for various multitasking scenarios, such as responding to messages without switching apps, keeping notes open while shopping, watching videos while taking notes, checking maps during chats, planning trips without app switching, and copying information easily between applications.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Your Pixel just lost a handy Recents trick in the March update

Google introduced the stable Android 16 QPR3 update, known as the March 2026 Pixel update, for Pixel devices. A change in the Recent apps screen has caused discontent among users, as the ability to easily save images directly from the Recents screen has been removed. Previously, users could long-press or use the Select tool to save images directly to Photos, but now they only have options to Copy, Share, and Edit. A workaround to save images involves using the share sheet to select “Upload to Photos,” but this is less intuitive and more time-consuming. Additionally, alternatives for Google Lens functionality are available, but they lack the convenience of the previous interface.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

Android 16 QPR2 removes this handy way to save pictures from apps

Android's Recents screen allows users to share content from various applications, including copying URLs from Chrome and sharing images. With the upcoming Android 16 QPR2 update, Google is repositioning the link-sharing icon in Chrome to a more accessible location at the bottom of the screen. However, the update will also reduce image-related functionalities, limiting users to only sharing or copying images and removing the ability to save files locally.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Google experiments with ditching the Favorites tab in the Phone app for a simpler layout

Google is testing a redesign of its Phone app for certain Pixel 8 Pro devices, specifically version 178.0.765584175-publicbeta. The update removes the dedicated Favorites tab, replacing it with a horizontal row of favorite contacts at the top of the Recents screen. This change was first reported by a Telegram user, @h_muc, who shared screenshots of the new interface. The redesign also eliminates the frequent contacts section that was previously located beneath the favorites. A new Add button has been added to allow users to link directly to their contact list for adding more favorites. The rollout is still in the testing phase, and it is uncertain if these changes will be implemented across all devices.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

Android 16 QPR1’s new recents screen makes split-screen easier to find

In the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 release, Google redesigned the recents screen to improve user experience by making the app context menu more accessible. The new interface includes a pill-shaped button displaying the app's name and a downward arrow for additional options. The redesign addresses discoverability issues by allowing users to easily identify apps corresponding to task previews. The context menu offers seven primary actions: “App info,” “Split screen,” “Pin,” “Pause app,” “Screenshot,” “Select,” and “Close,” with the “Save app pair” option appearing only for split-screen tasks. Aesthetic enhancements include pill-shaped containers for the “Screenshot” and “Select” buttons and a blurred background of the user's wallpaper, aligning with Google’s Material 3 Expressive theme.