How Google turns Android into a desktop OS in 5 steps

Previously, I discussed how Google’s decision to merge ChromeOS and Android marks a critical moment for the company. While this merger is a positive step forward, it raises an important question: Can Android truly evolve into a desktop-class operating system for touchscreen laptops? Google faces challenges and opportunities as it reimagines Android for larger devices and productivity-focused workflows.

Android compatibility is already integrated into most Arm and x86 Chromebooks. However, the quality of this experience varies significantly among different devices and applications. Some Android apps run seamlessly on Chromebooks, providing smooth functionality that feels native to a laptop. In contrast, other apps suffer from performance issues or compatibility quirks, such as unoptimized scaling, touch input problems, or limited support for keyboard and trackpad use.

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For Android to succeed as a laptop operating system, Google must address these inconsistencies directly.

The challenge: Android’s history with larger screens

Since its debut on tablets in 2010, Android has struggled to adapt to larger screens. Developers, incentivized by the massive smartphone market, often neglected tablets, leaving users with apps that felt like stretched-out versions of their phone counterparts. While Google has improved developer tools in recent years, the Play Store still has a limited selection of apps optimized for tablets or Chromebooks compared to Apple’s robust iPad ecosystem.

This issue is compounded by OEM customization, where manufacturers implement their own skins, pre-installed apps, and design tweaks on Android devices. Samsung’s One UI, for instance, offers features and designs that deviate significantly from stock Android, creating inconsistent experiences across devices. While these modifications can add value, they also exacerbate fragmentation, which ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes famously called Android’s “Toxic Hellstew” a decade ago.

Since then, Google has made strides to streamline updates and reduce fragmentation through initiatives like Project Treble, a framework designed to simplify Android’s update process by separating the OS from OEM customizations. While Treble has improved the situation since its introduction seven years ago, it hasn’t been a silver bullet — OEMs still play a significant role in the update pipeline, and delays remain common. This inconsistency undermines user trust and complicates Google’s efforts to unify Android across devices.

What Google needs to do

1. Refactor Android for larger screens

Having used Android devices extensively across form factors — from phones to tablets to Chromebooks — I’ve always found its interface serviceable, but never truly optimized for larger screens. While Android can do a lot, its current implementation falls short of competing with MacOS, Windows, or iPadOS when offering a cohesive, productivity-focused experience. The interface requires a major overhaul if Google is serious about Android as a desktop-class operating system.

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• Window management: This is one of the first things that needs to change. On a laptop, users expect the ability to open multiple apps in resizable, draggable windows with an intuitive taskbar to keep everything organized. Android’s split-screen functionality, while functional on phones and tablets, feels clunky and rigid on Chromebooks. It lacks the fluidity of MacOS or Windows, where multitasking is second nature.
• Navigation: Android’s gestures are designed primarily for touchscreens, but a laptop requires more flexibility. A seamless experience across touch, trackpad, keyboard, and stylus inputs is critical, yet Android struggles to integrate these tools naturally. For instance, switching between apps with a trackpad often feels like a workaround rather than a built-in feature.
• Multi-display support: Plugging in an external monitor often reveals how unprepared Android is for multitasking on larger setups. Without proper scaling and flexible window arrangements, the experience feels more like a hack than a polished solution. In this area, Google could take notes from MacOS, which makes managing multiple displays feel effortless.
• Quick settings and notifications: These features, which have always been designed for mobile devices, need to be rethought entirely for laptops. Imagine an interface similar to MacOS’s Control Center that offers quick access to essential settings without cluttering the screen. Android’s current implementation is functional but doesn’t feel tailored for a productivity environment.

2. Redesign multitasking: Android’s Achilles’ heel

Multitasking has always been one of Android’s weakest points on larger screens. As someone who relies heavily on multitasking to juggle work apps, video calls, and research tools, I’ve found Android frustratingly rigid. The split-screen functionality locks you into fixed arrangements, making it difficult to work efficiently.

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For Android to thrive on laptops, it needs true flexibility in app arrangement. Imagine dragging and dropping app windows anywhere on the screen, resizing them freely to fit your workflow. Persistent app states are also critical — users shouldn’t have to reopen their apps and set up their workspace every time they reboot. Borrowing ideas from MacOS’s Mission Control or Windows’ Task View, Android could also introduce virtual desktops to help users separate workflows into dedicated spaces.

3. Build a thriving app ecosystem

Of course, none of this matters if Android apps don’t evolve to match the demands of laptops and tablets. A robust app ecosystem is the backbone of any operating system, and while Android has a massive library of apps, they’re overwhelmingly optimized for phones. These apps often feel like scaled-up versions of their mobile counterparts on larger screens.

Google has the tools to fix this. Enhancing developer resources like Jetpack Compose and Android Studio could make creating adaptive apps easier and more intuitive. Developers need ready-made templates and better simulation tools to test their apps across a variety of screen sizes and input methods.

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But tools alone won’t solve the problem. Google must incentivize developers with real rewards — monetary grants, reduced Play Store fees, or even special promotional features for apps that meet optimization standards. Imagine a Play Store badge for “Best on Tablets” apps prominently displayed to attract downloads. Additionally, Google could provide developers with detailed performance metrics, offering insights into how their apps perform on Chromebooks and tablets and helping them identify areas for improvement.

4. Improve performance: The non-negotiable foundation

Performance is another area where Android needs to improve. Running Android apps on Chromebooks often feels inconsistent — some apps run flawlessly, while others struggle with lag or compatibility issues. For a laptop experience, this simply isn’t acceptable.

One solution is to ensure native app support for both ARM and x86 architectures, eliminating the need for emulation. Native performance guarantees smoother multitasking, faster load times, and a more reliable experience overall. Additionally, Google must introduce laptop-specific APIs that take advantage of hardware features like styluses, high-precision trackpads, and multi-touch displays. Hardware acceleration, especially for windowed apps, would further enhance responsiveness and make Android a more viable competitor to MacOS and Windows.

5. Leverage Gemini AI: The future of productivity

The functional areas mentioned above are opportunities for Google to catch up to MacOS, iPadOS, and Windows. However, one area where Android could surpass its competitors is in artificial intelligence, particularly with Google’s Gemini AI, which has significant potential. Although Gemini is still a relatively new technology, it is clear how it could turn Android laptops into powerful productivity tools.

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Imagine smart multitasking assistance that learns your habits and suggests app pairings for split-screen setups. For example, if you regularly take notes during video calls, Gemini could automatically open your preferred video conferencing app alongside your note-taking app. Context-aware workflows could adapt settings or recommend apps based on your current task, such as suggesting photo editing tools when you’re importing images.

Gemini’s AI could also revolutionize content creation by adding features like auto-summarization in Google Docs, intelligent formatting suggestions, or real-time collaboration tools. For users who prefer hands-free interaction, AI-driven gestures and voice commands could make navigating apps or presenting slides more intuitive.

Perhaps most exciting is Gemini’s potential for system optimization. By monitoring resource usage, it could recommend ways to improve battery life, allocate processing power more effectively, or even predict performance bottlenecks before they occur.

Why now is the time for Google to act

As Apple and Microsoft refine their ecosystems, Google risks falling further behind. The merger of ChromeOS and Android represents a chance to rethink Android’s role in the computing landscape. By addressing its long-standing challenges — including fragmentation and app ecosystem gaps — Google could position Android as a true alternative to MacOS, iPadOS, and Windows.

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The future of hybrid computing depends on how well Google tackles these challenges. Will Android rise to meet the demands of modern laptops, or will it remain confined to the sidelines of innovation? Google’s next steps could redefine the industry — or cement its place as a mobile-first platform struggling to scale.