10 Best Floating Window Apps for Android in 2026
Best floating window and bubble apps for Android 2026 — compared by features, AI, multitasking, and price. Free tier available.
The Best Floating Window Apps for Android in 2026
Android’s multitasking has come a long way. From split-screen to pop-up view to Android 17’s new app bubbles, you can finally do more than one thing at a time on your phone. But the built-in options only go so far. If you want a floating window app for Android — something that actually overlays on top of whatever you’re doing and gives you quick access to tools, AI, or secondary apps — you need a third-party solution.
I tested 10 floating window apps for Android and ranked them by features, usability, AI capabilities, and value. Whether you want a simple floating calculator or a full AI-powered sidebar, there’s something here for you.
Quick Comparison: Best Floating Window Apps for Android
| # | App | Best For | AI Tools | Free? | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arc AI Screen Assistant | AI-powered multitasking | Summary, Extract, Write, Chat, Flashcards | Yes | 4.5★ |
| 2 | Android 17 App Bubbles | Native OS-level floating | None | Yes | Built-in |
| 3 | Samsung Multi-Window | Samsung device multitasking | None | Yes | Built-in |
| 4 | Floating Apps | Floating mini-apps | None | Yes (IAP) | 3.9★ |
| 5 | Overlays - Floating Launcher | Custom floating widgets | None | Yes (IAP) | 4.0★ |
| 6 | WhatsApp Chat Bubbles | Floating messaging | None | Yes | Built-in |
| 7 | AirCommand / Edge Panel | Samsung stylus & sidebar | None | Yes | Built-in |
| 8 | Floating Windows (Xiaomi) | MIUI floating windows | None | Yes | Built-in |
| 9 | Taskbar (Open Source) | Desktop-style taskbar | None | Yes | 4.1★ |
| 10 | Smart Sidebar (OPPO/OnePlus) | Quick app launching | None | Yes | Built-in |
1. Arc AI Screen Assistant — Best Floating Window App for Android Overall
Arc isn’t just a floating window — it’s a floating AI sidebar that lives on the edge of your screen across every app. Swipe to open it, and you get instant access to six AI-powered tools that work on whatever you’re looking at:
- AI Summary — Summarize any article, email, or long text on your screen in one tap
- Smart Extract — Pull OTPs, meeting links, contacts, addresses, and events from any screen into tappable actions
- AI Writer — Draft replies, rewrite text, fix grammar, or create posts right in any input field
- AI Chat — Ask follow-up questions about what’s on your screen using screen content as context
- Flashcards — Turn any screen content into study cards automatically
- Call Insights — Upload call recordings for transcripts, summaries, and action items
What makes Arc different from every other floating window app:
- Screen awareness — Arc reads what’s on your screen (via Accessibility Service) and offers relevant actions. No other app on this list does this.
- Always available — Not triggered by notifications like native bubbles. Swipe from the edge anytime, in any app.
- Fully customizable — Position, size, auto-collapse timing, per-app visibility, custom AI actions, and 250+ community actions in 10 languages.
- Privacy-first — Screen content processed on-demand only. OTP clipboard auto-clears in 2 minutes. Per-app block controls for banking apps.
- Samsung Edge Panel + OnePlus Shelf + OPPO Smart Sidebar integration — works with your phone’s native sidebar.
Pricing: Free tier with no limits on core features. Optional premium subscription (monthly or yearly) for ad-free experience.
Download: Arc AI Screen Assistant on Google Play | See all features →
2. Android 17 App Bubbles — Best Built-in Floating Window
Android 17 brings the biggest upgrade to floating windows in Android’s history. The new app bubbles system lets any app (not just messaging) display a floating bubble on your screen. Tap to expand, interact, collapse.
What it does well:
- Native OS integration — no third-party app needed
- Pause point feature lets you freeze a bubble’s state and resume later
- Stacked bubbles keep your screen clean with multiple floating apps
- Desktop multitasking mode for tablets and large screens
Limitations:
- Requires Android 17 — not available on older devices
- Only works with apps that implement the Bubbles API
- Notification-triggered — you need an active notification to create a bubble in many cases
- No AI tools, no screen reading, no extraction capabilities
- No persistent sidebar — just individual bubbles
Pricing: Free (built into Android 17)
Who it’s for: Android 17 users who want basic floating notifications and quick interactions without installing extra apps.
3. Samsung Multi-Window / DeX — Best for Samsung Users
Samsung has offered floating window multitasking longer than anyone on Android. Multi-Window gives you split-screen and pop-up view. DeX extends your phone into a desktop experience with windowed apps on a larger screen.
What it does well:
- Split-screen, pop-up view, and edge panel for quick app launching
- DeX mode turns your phone into a desktop with resizable windows
- Well-integrated with Samsung’s ecosystem
- Works on Galaxy phones and tablets
Limitations:
- Samsung devices only
- No AI tools or screen reading
- DeX requires an external monitor or specific setup
- Pop-up windows are still full app instances — heavy on RAM
Pricing: Free (built into Samsung devices)
Who it’s for: Samsung Galaxy users who want system-level multitasking without third-party apps.
4. Floating Apps (Multitasking) — Best for Floating Mini-Apps
Floating Apps is the most established floating window app on Google Play, with over 70,000 ratings. It offers a collection of floating mini-apps — calculator, browser, notes, translator, and more — that open in small windows on top of your current app.
What it does well:
- 40+ floating mini-apps: calculator, notes, browser, translator, stopwatch, timer
- Turn any home screen widget or URL into a floating app
- Movable and resizable windows
- Quick launch icon stays on top of other apps
Limitations:
- No AI capabilities — these are basic utility widgets
- Free version has limited mini-apps; full version requires in-app purchase
- UI feels dated compared to modern Android design
- No screen reading or content extraction
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases for full feature set.
Download: Floating Apps on Google Play
5. Overlays - Floating Launcher — Best for Custom Widgets
Overlays lets you create custom floating windows with widgets, shortcuts, and mini-apps. Think of it as a floating launcher — you arrange what you want in a floating panel, and it stays on top of your screen.
What it does well:
- Create custom floating panels with any widget or shortcut
- Profile-based — different overlays for different apps or situations
- Works with any Android widget (calendar, weather, music controls)
- Floating calculator, stopwatch, and notes built-in
Limitations:
- Does NOT support freeform window mode for real applications — only widgets and shortcuts
- No AI tools
- Can feel complex to set up initially
- Free version limited; pro unlock required for full profiles
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases.
Download: Overlays on Google Play
6. WhatsApp Chat Bubbles — Best for Floating Messages
WhatsApp’s chat bubbles (available on Android 11+) let you pin conversations as floating circles on your screen. Tap to expand the chat, reply, and collapse — without leaving your current app.
What it does well:
- Native chat head experience for WhatsApp
- Persistent across app switches
- Quick reply without context loss
Limitations:
- WhatsApp only — no other apps or tools
- No AI, no screen reading, no extraction
- Requires notification permission to trigger
- Limited to conversations
Pricing: Free (built into WhatsApp on Android 11+)
7. Samsung Edge Panel / AirCommand — Best Samsung Sidebar
Samsung’s Edge Panel is a native sidebar you swipe from the curved edge of Galaxy phones. AirCommand does similar for stylus-enabled devices. Both give you quick access to apps, contacts, and tools.
What it does well:
- System-level sidebar with quick access to apps and tools
- Smart Select for screen capture and extraction
- Samsung Pay integration
- Customizable panel layout
Limitations:
- Samsung Galaxy devices only
- No AI capabilities
- Limited to Samsung’s built-in panel options
- Not available on non-Samsung Android phones
Pricing: Free (built into Samsung Galaxy devices)
8. Floating Windows (MIUI) — Best for Xiaomi Users
Xiaomi’s MIUI includes built-in floating window support. You can open apps in small floating windows that overlay on your current screen — similar to Samsung’s pop-up view.
What it does well:
- Native MIUI integration — works well on Xiaomi phones
- Resize and reposition floating windows
- Quick access from the notification shade
- Supports most Android apps
Limitations:
- Xiaomi/MIUI devices only
- No AI tools
- Some apps don’t work well in floating window mode
- Limited customization compared to third-party options
Pricing: Free (built into MIUI)
9. Taskbar (Open Source) — Best for Desktop-Style Taskbar
Taskbar is an open-source app that adds a Windows-style taskbar and start menu to your Android device. It’s designed for freeform window mode on Android and works well with Chrome OS or DeX.
What it does well:
- Desktop-style taskbar with start menu, recent apps, and system tray
- Freeform window support on compatible devices
- Open source — no ads, no tracking
- Pinned apps for quick launch
Limitations:
- Freeform mode requires Android 7+ with specific flags enabled
- Not all devices support freeform windows
- UI is functional but not polished
- No AI features or screen reading
Pricing: Free and open source.
Download: Taskbar on Google Play
10. Smart Sidebar (OPPO/OnePlus) — Best for Quick App Launching
OPPO and OnePlus phones include a Smart Sidebar that gives you quick access to your favorite apps from a floating edge panel. Swipe from the edge, tap an app, and it opens in a floating window.
What it does well:
- Native integration on OPPO and OnePlus devices
- Quick app launching from a sidebar
- Adjustable app list and sidebar position
- Lightweight — minimal performance impact
Limitations:
- OPPO/OnePlus devices only
- No AI capabilities
- Limited to app launching — no tools or screen reading
- Minimal customization
Pricing: Free (built into ColorOS/OxygenOS)
Which Floating Window App Should You Use?
You want AI that works on your screen → Arc
Arc is the only floating window app for Android that can actually read your screen and act on what it sees. Summarize articles, extract OTPs and meeting links, draft replies, create flashcards — all from a floating sidebar that works across every app. If you want your floating window to do more than just display another app, Arc is the clear choice.
You want basic floating notifications → Android 17 Bubbles
If you’re on Android 17 and just want to pin chat bubbles and quick interactions, the built-in bubbles system works well. No extra app to install.
You have a Samsung phone → Samsung Multi-Window + Edge Panel
Samsung’s built-in multitasking is the most mature native option. Split-screen, pop-up view, DeX, and Edge Panel cover most needs — but no AI.
You want floating mini-apps → Floating Apps
If you just need a floating calculator, notes, or browser on top of your current app, Floating Apps is the most established option.
You want custom floating widgets → Overlays
Overlays lets you build custom floating panels with any widget. It’s the most flexible layout tool on this list — but no AI and no real app windows.
The Real Answer: Combine Native + AI
Here’s what most power users end up doing:
- Android 17 native bubbles for messaging notifications (WhatsApp, Google Messages)
- Arc floating sidebar for AI-powered multitasking (summary, extraction, writing, flashcards)
The native bubbles handle the simple stuff — quick replies, notification glances. Arc handles the smart stuff — reading your screen, extracting what matters, writing for you, and turning content into study tools. Together, they cover the full spectrum of what a floating window should do on Android.
Download Arc AI Screen Assistant free from Google Play →
Or see all Arc features to learn what it can do.
FAQ: Floating Window Apps for Android
What is the best floating window app for Android?
Arc AI Screen Assistant is the best floating window app for Android in 2026 because it’s the only one that combines floating window multitasking with AI tools — screen summarization, OTP extraction, AI-powered writing, and flashcard creation. For basic floating notifications without AI, Android 17’s built-in bubbles work well.
Do floating window apps work on all Android phones?
Most floating window apps require Android 10+ and overlay permission. Arc works on Android 5.0+ with Accessibility Service and overlay permissions. Native options like Samsung Multi-Window and MIUI floating windows are device-specific.
Are floating window apps free?
Most floating window apps are free with optional in-app purchases. Arc’s core features (AI Summary, Smart Extract, AI Writer, AI Chat, Flashcards) are free to try. Android 17 bubbles, Samsung Multi-Window, and other native options are built into the OS at no cost.
Do floating window apps drain battery?
Persistent overlays can use battery, but well-designed apps minimize impact. Arc uses auto-collapse to reduce power draw — the sidebar only consumes resources when actively in use. Native OS options like Android 17 bubbles are optimized by Google/Samsung for minimal impact.
Can I use Arc and Android 17 bubbles at the same time?
Yes. Arc’s floating sidebar and Android 17 app bubbles serve different purposes and work alongside each other. Use bubbles for message notifications and Arc for AI-powered multitasking.
What’s the difference between a floating window and a floating sidebar?
A floating window displays another app or widget in a small window on top of your current screen. A floating sidebar like Arc is an edge panel you swipe to open that contains multiple tools — not just one app. Sidebars are generally faster to access and more versatile.