After years of lacking display output support via USB-C, Google has finally addressed this issue with the Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 update for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. This update enables DisplayPort Alternate Mode, allowing users to cast their phone’s display onto larger screens without needing to modify the system.
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While previous Pixel devices met the hardware requirements for video transmission through USB-C, Google had kept this feature disabled until now. Although it was possible to enable it through third-party projects like GrapheneOS, users can now access DisplayPort Alternate Mode directly without modifications.
Upon connecting a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro to an external display, a prompt appears, offering the option to mirror the screen. Once selected, the smartphone’s contents are displayed on the monitor, with a wallpaper filling the rest. Additionally, a revamped “Desktop Mode” interface is reportedly in development, although currently hidden behind flags.
Users of older Pixel devices can still utilize this feature by enabling it through a Magisk module. This involves installing Magisk Manager, downloading the DisplayPort Magisk Module, and flashing it via the tool, followed by a phone reboot.
In contrast, Samsung devices have offered a similar feature, Samsung DeX, since 2017. DeX provides a more desktop-like interface and can even transmit data wirelessly, enhancing its appeal. Android’s built-in desktop mode has also been in development since Android 10, but whether Google will offer an equivalent feature remains uncertain.
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