Google has started rolling out Android 17, introducing several new features, including a floating multitasking interface called Bubbles and a gaming mode designed specifically for foldable devices. The update is arriving first on Pixel phones, with support for other Android devices set to expand over the coming months.
Bubbles allows apps to run in movable, resizable windows that stay visible above other applications, making multitasking far more flexible. Users can create a bubble by long-pressing an app icon and then position it anywhere on the screen. On larger foldable devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Android adds a bubble bar along the bottom edge that serves as a hub for active windows, offering quick app switching, resizing controls, and full-screen expansion.
Android 17 also introduces Screen Reactions, a new recording feature that captures on-screen activity alongside footage from the front-facing camera. The tool allows users to create reaction-style videos without switching between apps and is aimed at content destined for platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
Foldable devices also receive a new gaming mode in Android 17 that splits the display into two sections, with gameplay on the top half and touch controls on the bottom. The update also supports controller remapping for external gamepads and introduces memory optimizations designed to reduce lag and frame-rate drops during HD gaming.
Android 17 includes several new privacy and security features. Apps can be granted temporary location permissions, while contact-sharing controls now let users select specific contacts instead of sharing their entire contact list. Find Hub’s enhanced “Mark as lost” feature can remotely secure a lost device using biometric authentication. The update also expands threat detection capabilities and adds stronger protections against repeated PIN-guessing attempts.
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