Android 15 may force apps to be displayed in full screen

Android 15 may force apps to be displayed in full screen, according to an experimental feature in Google’s system. In Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3, which is the experimental version of the operating system, One feature suggests that full screen will become standard in the next update.

The found resource is named “EDGE_TO_EDGE_BY_DEFAULT” and comes with the description “If the target development kit (SDK) is VANILLA_ICE_CREAM or newer, it enables end-to-end rendering of the application by default.”

Edge-to-edge display mode is when the app covers the entire screen, including the top status bar and bottom navigation bar. Not all programs support the standard because it depends on the implementation of some additional APIs.

The name “VANILLA_ICE_CREAM” will be the sweet nickname of Android 15, but so far it has not been confirmed yet. According to the code, every application created for the system must support end-to-end visualization.

For now, this addition is a holdover from the development of Android 15. It’s possible the policy will be lifted within months if Google changes its mind.

If true, the change will create a visual improvement, especially when viewed horizontally. It will also allow the standard elements of the system (status bar and navigation) to be positioned on the screen in a more “natural” and elegant way.

But developers need to implement this correctly. If edge-to-edge display is enabled carelessly, apps with buttons at the bottom may have compromised usability.

Now, Nothing has been officially announced about Android 15 so far. The operating system is planned for the end of 2024, but a long testing period is required before launch.