Where Are Android Desktop Mode Settings Stored?
Android desktop mode settings and where windowed app layouts live on large screens.
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Android desktop mode (evolving toward full desktop windowing on Android 16 class builds, plus Samsung DeX on Galaxy) puts phone apps into resizable windows on an external display. Settings and tiles vary by brand.
There is no user folder of window layouts to back up. App data stays in each app. The external display only changes presentation. Check display and connected device pages when the option hides.
Where Android stores this, by platform
Settings > Connected devices > External display
Look under Connected devices or Display for external screen options. Samsung phones use DeX settings instead. Exact path may vary by brand and Android version.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn Android desktop mode on?
Connect a display over USB C or cast, then look for a desktop prompt or quick tile. Pixels and Galaxy phones label it differently. External keyboard and mouse help enormously.
Do desktop windows stay after unplugging?
No. Phone and desktop layouts keep separate window states. Unplugging returns the phone to its normal launcher. Some apps restart rather than resize.
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