The Pixel 8 is finally getting support for display output over USB-C

What it’s worthwhile to know

• Regardless of the existence of competing choices, like Samsung’s DeX, Google Pixel telephones have been missing in show output assist.
• Not solely does the Pixel Launcher lack a desktop setting obtainable to finish customers, Pixel telephones have been with out DisplayPort Alternate Mode assist.
• With the discharge of Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2, Google is enabling DP Alt Mode and permitting customers to attach their Pixel to exterior shows.

Pixel customers received excited when it was revealed that Google was supporting DisplayPort Alternate Mode at a {hardware} stage on the Pixel 8 sequence. Nevertheless, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional house owners had been shortly dissatisfied to search out out that Google was nonetheless blocking exterior show connections over USB-C with software program. Now, months after the Pixel 8 sequence debuted, it appears like Google has modified its thoughts and plans to assist show mirroring over a cable.

As Mishaal Rahman revealed at Android Authority, Google has added software program assist for DP Alt Mode with the discharge of Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2. If you join a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Professional to an exterior monitor, a “mirror show” possibility will seem. For those who faucet to allow it, your Android working system will probably be proven on the related monitor or TV. Notably, except you manually allow desktop mode in developer choices, you will be caught with Android 14’s common view.

Even then, Rahman notes that the Android desktop mode that may be enabled in developer choices is the older, built-in model that has been round since Android 10. An overhauled model is supposedly on the way in which, however it requires a number of Android flags to be enabled earlier than it may be accessed. Rahman means that Google could possibly be gearing as much as launch a DeX competitor with the Pixel 9 sequence, however nothing is confirmed at this level.

For these which might be unfamiliar, USB-C ports that assist DP Alt Mode can natively assist show output through succesful USB-C cables or adapters. Pixel telephones have had USB-C ports with DP Alt Mode earlier than, however Google solely enabled DP Alt Mode on the {hardware} stage this 12 months. Till now, no software program assist for DP Alt Mode was obtainable on the Pixel 8 sequence. That meant in case you tried to attach a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Professional to a monitor, nothing would occur.

A number of workarounds had been obtainable, comparable to utilizing Google Solid for wi-fi mirroring or shopping for a DisplayLink adapter. DP Alt Mode could possibly be enabled with root entry as properly. Nevertheless, this meant Pixels had been extra restricted in show output choices than different Android telephones and even iPhones.

The addition of native show output assist in Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 might imply that it absolutely debuts this summer time with the discharge of the general public replace. Or, it is doable that Google might stroll again the change earlier than a steady launch arrives. It does appear to point that Google is engaged on higher show output assist, although, which is sweet information for Pixel house owners.