Google is reportedly working on a big upgrade to always-on display functionality in Android that’s called “Min Mode” and can show a limited version of supported apps.
The always-on display feature has been available on most Android phones for years now, but outside of showing the time and notifications, it doesn’t have much utility. The last notable upgrade was when phones started showing a simplified version of your wallpaper on the always-on display, as inspired by the iPhone.
The next big upgrade Google appears to be working on, as spotted by Android Authority, is “Min Mode.”
Early evidence of this feature was spotted in the latest Android Canary builds and suggests that the always-on display in Android may be able to start showing limited versions of apps using the same low-brightness, low-refresh rate display mode as a standard always-on display experience. The only difference is that compatible apps would be able to show an app in full-screen.
These early findings suggest that “MinMode” would require apps to list “MinModeActivity” support in their Manifest file, and everything would be handled through Android’s System UI functions. There would also be burn-in protection, just like standard always-on display elements.
Apparently, Google Maps may be one of the first apps to support this.
Earlier this week, it was spotted that Google Maps was working on a “power saving mode” that turns the UI black and white and limits the experience to “key information.” Well, it seems that initial report jumped the gun just a bit. As it turns out, the new feature carries the package name “com.google.android.apps.gmm.features.minmode.MinModeActivity,” suggesting this is less of a power-saving mode than just an extension of this new always-on display capability. The reason for naming scheme is unclear, but this also explains why one of the uncovered images directed users to active this mode with the power button.
It’s reasonable to expect this would arrive in Android 17, which may see its first developer preview in the next few months, but there’s no firm evidence to suggest exactly when it will arrive.
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