Google Pixel Leap: Embracing External Display Support with Android 14

What you need to know

Despite the existence of competing options, like Samsung’s DeX, Google Pixel phones have been lacking in display output support. Not only does the Pixel Launcher lack a desktop environment available to end users, Pixel phones have been without DisplayPort Alternate Mode support. With the release of Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2, Google is enabling DP Alt Mode and allowing users to connect their Pixel to external displays.

Pixel 8 Series Breaks New Ground

Pixel users got excited when it was revealed that Google was supporting DisplayPort Alternate Mode at a hardware level on the Pixel 8 series. However, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro owners were quickly disappointed to find out that Google was still blocking external display connections over USB-C with software. Now, months after the Pixel 8 series debuted, it looks like Google has changed its mind and plans to support display mirroring over a cable. As Mishaal Rahman revealed at Android Authority, Google has added software support for DP Alt Mode with the release of Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2. When you connect a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro to an external monitor, a “mirror display” option will appear. If you tap to enable it, your Android operating system will be shown on the connected monitor or TV. Notably, unless you manually enable desktop mode in developer options, you’ll be stuck with Android 14’s regular view.

The Evolution of External Display Support

The addition of native display output support in Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 could mean that it fully debuts this summer with the release of the public update. Or, it’s possible that Google could walk back the change before a stable release arrives. It does seem to indicate that Google is working on better display output support, though, which is good news for Pixel owners. Google’s latest flagship phones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, have made a significant leap by enabling support for wired external displays, a feature that was notably absent in previous Pixel models. This enhancement brings users a more desktop-like experience, akin to Samsung’s DeX mode, allowing for a seamless connection to monitors or TVs using USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort cables.

Desktop-Like Experience and Future Prospects

Users of the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro can now enjoy a more versatile experience by connecting their devices to external monitors or TVs. By activating the Mirror to external display option when linking the phone via USB-C or an adapter, users can project their phone’s screen contents onto a larger display. Additionally, by enabling Force desktop mode under Developer options in the Settings app, users can access a rudimentary desktop-like interface that would undergo further enhancements with Android 15. Looking ahead, as Google continues to refine its desktop mode UI and potentially integrates it into Android 15 alongside future Pixel models like the Pixel 9 series, users can anticipate even more seamless integration between their smartphones and external displays. This advancement not only enhances productivity but also bridges the gap between handheld devices and traditional computing setups.

Conclusion

The introduction of support for wired external displays in Google’s latest flagship phones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, marks a significant evolution in smartphone functionality and user experience. This feature enables users to seamlessly connect their devices to monitors or TVs, providing a more desktop-like interface and enhancing productivity. The Pixel 8 series represents Google’s first foray into hardware-level support for DisplayPort Alternate Mode, allowing for direct video output through USB-C connections. This advancement, coupled with the potential for further refinement in Android 15, promises even greater integration between smartphones and external displays. Despite the current rudimentary state of the desktop mode UI, users can already benefit from screen mirroring and extension capabilities, paving the way for a future where handheld devices seamlessly transition into traditional computing setups.