Android 17 Beta 2: Seamless Multitasking and Cross-Device Continuity

Google releases Android 17 Beta 2 with universal app bubbles, cross-device handoff, and new privacy controls for Pixel users.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 27, 2026, 7:27 AM EST

Source: Information sourced from gHacks

Universal Bubbles and Improved Multitasking

Android 17 Beta 2 expands the "bubbles" feature far beyond its original messaging roots. Users can now long-press any app icon in the launcher to transform it into a floating bubble. This allows for a more flexible multitasking layer, as any application can now exist as a resizable, movable window on top of other content.

For large-screen devices like tablets and foldables, Google has integrated a dedicated "bubble bar" within the taskbar. This provides a centralized space to organize and manage multiple floating apps, significantly improving the workflow for power users who require quick access to secondary tools without exiting their primary application.

Seamless Cross-Device Handoff

A major addition in this beta is the "Cross-device app Handoff" feature. This allows users to start a task on one Android device such as drafting a note or browsing a specific page and resume it at the exact same point on a nearby tablet or secondary phone.

When a handoff is available, the system displays a suggestion in the launcher of the receiving device. To ensure broad compatibility, the feature supports both native app-to-app transitions and a "fallback" to web versions if the specific application is not installed on the second device.