Taskbar (Donate Version)

Braden Farmer

About this app

Support the development of Taskbar by upgrading to the Donate Version! The Donate Version is identical to the free version and your preferences will automatically transfer over. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Taskbar puts a start menu and recent apps tray on top of your screen that's accessible at any time, increasing your productivity and turning your Android tablet (or phone) into a real multitasking machine!

Taskbar supports Android 10's Desktop Mode, allowing you to connect your compatible device to an external display and run apps in resizable windows, for a PC-like experience! On devices running Android 7.0+, Taskbar can also launch apps in freeform windows without an external display. No root required! (see below for instructions)

Taskbar is also supported on Android TV (sideloaded) and Chrome OS - use Taskbar as a secondary Android app launcher on your Chromebook, or turn your Nvidia Shield into an Android-powered PC!

Features:

• Start menu - shows you all applications installed on the device, configurable as a list or as a grid
• Recent apps tray - shows your most recently used apps and lets you easily switch between them
• Collapsible and hideable - show it when you need it, hide it when you don't
• Many different configuration options - customize Taskbar however you want
• Pin favorite apps or block the ones you don't want to see
• Designed with keyboard and mouse in mind
• 100% free, open source, and no ads

Desktop mode (Android 10+, requires external display)

Taskbar supports Android 10's built-in desktop mode functionality. You can connect your compatible Android 10+ device to an external display and run apps in resizable windows, with Taskbar's interface running on your external display and your existing launcher still running on your phone.

Desktop mode requires a USB-to-HDMI adapter (or a lapdock), and a compatible device that supports video output. Additionally, certain settings require granting a special permission via adb.

To get started, open up the Taskbar app and click "Desktop mode". Then, just tick the checkbox and the app will guide you through the setup process. For more information, click the (?) icon in the upper-right hand corner of the screen.

Freeform window mode (Android 7.0+, no external display required)

Taskbar lets you launch apps in freeform floating windows on Android 7.0+ devices. No root access is required, although Android 8.0, 8.1, and 9 devices require an adb shell command to be run during initial setup.

Simply follow these steps to configure your device for launching apps in freeform mode:

1. Check the box for "Freeform window support" inside the Taskbar app
2. Follow the directions that appear in the pop-up to enable the proper settings on your device (one-time setup)
3. Go to your device's recent apps page and clear all recent apps
4. Start Taskbar, then select an app to launch it in a freeform window

For more information and detailed instructions, click "Help & instructions for freeform mode" inside the Taskbar app.

Accessibility service disclosure

Taskbar includes an optional accessibility service, which can be enabled in order to perform system button press actions such as back, home, recents, and power, as well as displaying the notification tray.

The accessibility service is used only to perform the above actions, and for no other purpose. Taskbar does not use accessibility services to perform any data collection whatsoever (in fact, Taskbar cannot access the Internet in any capacity as it does not declare the required Internet permission).

Ratings and reviews

It is smoother than it was before, but the edge detection is still jerky, and needs arrows(I know, extra hit on the UI) , but could help usability. Maybe user controlled turning off the launcher function(UI part), could help, with that addition. Keep the freeform part active. Just let the user know that having everything enabled(including the "arrow" thing), will take a hit on battery. Your app's very useful to people that can't go past pie.

Frankly this is the only game in town of you are on a non-Samsung device. Taskbar gives me the flexibility and productivity I need when traveling. The UI could use a little more polish with regards to some expected behaviors/apps, but this is otherwise an outstanding effort and MUCH appreciated!

It's peryy good. Only one bug: The collapse when keyboard is shown does not work when in the Taskbar is vertical. Works in horizontal though. My wish list woud be to be able to rearrange the top apps or even have folders there. And of course the ability to revert to free form mode from full screen.

What's new

New in 6.2.2:
• Fix crash occurring when favorite app tiles are selected

New in 6.2.1:
• Maintenance release targeting the latest versions of Android
• Various bug fixes and crash fixes
• Updated German translation