Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro receive external monitor support with new beta update

It seems that Google is starting to take desktop mode support more seriously on its Pixel smartphones. Shortly after last year's launch of the Pixel 8 (curr. $699 on Amazon) and the Pixel 8 Pro, developers discovered undeclared usages for the pair's USB Type-C ports, including support for lossless audio transmission. Additionally, it turned out that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro also leveraged DisplayPort Alt Mode, unlike their predecessors.

Theoretically, this should have allowed either device to output to an external display through their sole ports. However, Google deactivated this functionality via software, which has remained true until this week's arrival of the latest Android 14 Beta. As Android Authority and 9to5Google note, Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 brings the option of display mirroring to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro by default. With that being said, it is possible to activate a desktop mode by heading to Developer Settings.

For reference, Google debuted its Samsung DeX alternative with Android 10. According to Android Authority, Google is finally fleshing out its desktop-mode software. Unfortunately, it remains to be seen if this will ship with Android 15, the first stable version of which is due this autumn. Likewise, Google has provided no guidance about whether the next stable Android 14 quarterly update will contain DisplayPort Alt Mode support. Please note that all Pixel smartphones before the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro lack the required hardware to leverage DisplayPort Alt Mode.

Incidentally, Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 also ships with various other changes, including a new charging indicator plus more lock screen and icon customisation options. Moreover, Google has bundled other minor refinements like a gesture navigation tutorial and rounded buttons for the screenshot preview flyout. On top of that, the update includes the following bug fixes:

• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused a device to crash or restart unexpectedly.
• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused a device to crash or restart unexpectedly while updating apps after the device was flashed.
• Fixed issues that caused a device to display a blank, black screen after booting from flash.
• Fixed an issue that caused a device to crash and display a blank, black screen after switching to a secondary user.
• Fixed issues when always-on display mode was enabled that interfered with the "Double tap to wake" gesture and prevented the device from unlocking if the user tried to use their fingerprint to unlock the device.
• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused battery information to not display correctly in the system settings, status bar, and on the lock screen.
• Fixed issues that prevented device-to-device transfers and backup and restore from working.
• Fixed various issues that were impacting system stability, performance, and camera.