Pixel Tablet taskbar might soon feature your recent apps

If you’ve been multitasking on your Pixel Tablet or Fold, you probably know the Android taskbar is a handy companion. But Google could soon take it up a notch by upgrading it to show your recently used apps, making multitasking even faster.

First introduced with Android 12L back in 2022, the taskbar has been evolving. Initially, it was a wide bar stretched across the bottom of the screen, but Google has been fine-tuning it over the years. Now with Android 15 QPR1, we may be getting a much-needed update — recent apps directly on the taskbar.

According to Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority, the latest Android 15 beta has code hinting at this change, where the two suggested apps on the taskbar would be swapped with your two most recently used apps. This could be a real game-changer for those moments when you want to quickly bounce between apps without having to dig into the recents screen or navigate through the app drawer.

While the Pixel Launcher already suggests apps based on your usage patterns and routines, it doesn’t always surface the apps you need most right now. That’s where this new tweak could come in clutch.

And while this feature hasn’t officially gone live yet (and may never, to be honest), many Pixel fans will be eager to see it roll out. Brands like Samsung and OnePlus have already implemented something similar in their taskbars, but seeing Google bring it to AOSP (Android Open Source Project) would mean more consistency across devices.

We don’t have a launch date for this feature, but Pixel users can always keep an eye on future updates, especially since Android 15 is just around the corner.