This new Android 16 QPR2 setting will make desktop mode much less irritating

[ad_1] <img class="e_3g" decoding="async" loading="eager" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Desktop Mode on a Pixel phone running Android 16 QPR1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desktop-Mode-on-a-Pixel-phone-running-Android-16-QPR1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desktop-Mode-on-a-Pixel-phone-running-Android-16-QPR1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desktop-Mode-on-a-Pixel-phone-running-Android-16-QPR1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desktop-Mode-on-a-Pixel-phone-running-Android-16-QPR1-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desktop-Mode-on-a-Pixel-phone-running-Android-16-QPR1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desktop-Mode-on-a-Pixel-phone-running-Android-16-QPR1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desktop-Mode-on-a-Pixel-phone-running-Android-16-QPR1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desktop-Mode-on-a-Pixel-phone-running-Android-16-QPR1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desktop-Mode-on-a-Pixel-phone-running-Android-16-QPR1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Desktop Mode on a Pixel phone running Android 16 QPR1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Desktop-Mode-on-a-Pixel-phone-running-Android-16-QPR1-scaled.jpg"/> Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

TL;DR

A brand new “Common cursor” setting in Android 16 QPR2 will let customers disable the seamless mouse motion between a telephone and an exterior show. This toggle controls whether or not the mouse cursor can transfer between screens when it reaches the sting, stopping unintended screen-hopping. Discovered within the first QPR2 beta, this small however welcome change provides customers extra management over Android’s DeX-like desktop expertise.

Some of the thrilling options in Android 16 QPR1 is its new DeX-like desktop expertise, which prompts once you join a suitable Pixel system to an exterior show. This desktop mode supplies a taskbar and freeform window administration on the exterior monitor whereas leaving your telephone’s display screen free for different duties. Once you join a mouse, you may seamlessly transfer the cursor between shows to regulate each screens with the identical peripheral. At the moment, there’s no strategy to disable this seamless mouse motion, however that’s set to vary within the subsequent quarterly Android launch.

Don’t wish to miss the most effective from Android Authority?

In Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1, there’s a brand new “Common cursor” setting below Settings > Linked units > Exterior shows. This setting controls whether or not your mouse strikes seamlessly between your telephone and the exterior show when it reaches the sting of a display screen.

<img class="e_3g" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Universal cursor setting in Android 16 QPR2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Universal-cursor-setting-in-Android-16-QPR2.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Universal-cursor-setting-in-Android-16-QPR2-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Universal-cursor-setting-in-Android-16-QPR2-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Universal-cursor-setting-in-Android-16-QPR2-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Universal-cursor-setting-in-Android-16-QPR2-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Universal-cursor-setting-in-Android-16-QPR2-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Universal-cursor-setting-in-Android-16-QPR2-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Universal-cursor-setting-in-Android-16-QPR2-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="Universal cursor setting in Android 16 QPR2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Universal-cursor-setting-in-Android-16-QPR2.jpg"/> Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

The characteristic is enabled by default, however you may flip it off if you end up by accident transferring the mouse to your telephone’s display screen too typically. Disabling it additionally removes the power to vary the show topology (i.e., rearrange your shows), since that characteristic’s solely goal is to outline the place the cursor transitions between screens.

The addition of the “Common cursor” setting is a small however welcome improve to Android’s desktop mode. Google nonetheless has a variety of work to do earlier than desktop mode is prepared for prime time, however each little change brings the expertise one step nearer to a full launch.