# Taskbar

> PC-style start menu & recent app launcher, with Android 10 Desktop Mode support!

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.farmerbb.taskbar](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.farmerbb.taskbar)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.farmerbb.taskbar`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Braden Farmer
- **Category:** TOOLS
- **Downloads:** 7,163,881
- **Rating:** 4.32 / 5 (19,292 ratings)
- **Version:** 6.2.2
- **Last updated:** 2024-10-02
- **First published:** 2016-07-19
- **Publisher country:** US
- **Size:** 2.63 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-11
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farmerbb.taskbar)
- **Website:** [https://github.com/farmerbb/Taskbar](https://github.com/farmerbb/Taskbar)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://github.com/farmerbb/Taskbar/blob/master/Privacy-Policy.md](https://github.com/farmerbb/Taskbar/blob/master/Privacy-Policy.md)

## Description

Taskbar transforms your Android device into a multitasking powerhouse by adding a PC-style start menu and a recent apps tray accessible at any time. It supports Android 10's Desktop Mode, allowing connection to external displays for resizable, freeform app windows, creating a desktop-like experience without needing root access. On Android 7.0+ devices, users can launch apps in floating windows without external displays. Taskbar is highly customizable with options like pinning favorite apps, hiding unwanted ones, and configuring the launcher as a list or grid. Designed with keyboard and mouse in mind, it also supports Android TV (via sideloading) and Chrome OS, enabling use as a secondary app launcher or transforming devices like Nvidia Shield into Android-powered PCs. The extension emphasizes privacy by not accessing the internet and offers an optional accessibility service solely for system navigation actions. Taskbar is free, open-source, ad-free, and enhances productivity by delivering a PC-like interface on Android tablets, phones, and other compatible devices.

## Rankings

- #18,388 — Overall
- #1 — toolbar

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE`
- `android.permission.GET_TASKS`
- `android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`
- `android.permission.REQUEST_DELETE_PACKAGES`
- `android.permission.SET_WALLPAPER_HINTS`
- `android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW`
- `android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS`
- `android.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS`
- `com.android.launcher.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT`
- `com.farmerbb.taskbar.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`
- `com.farmerbb.taskbar.SEND_RECEIVE_SETTINGS`
- `com.farmerbb.taskbar.START_STOP_TASKBAR`
- `com.farmerbb.taskbar.support.USE_SUPPORT_LIBRARY`
- `moe.shizuku.manager.permission.API_V23`

## Review summary

Taskbar is praised for quick access to recent apps and easy customization, enhancing multitasking and usability, especially when UI elements are hard to reach. Users also appreciate it being free. However, multiple reviews cite reliability issues (disappearing app, windows not staying open) and device-specific problems on Pixel devices, plus requests for rotation support and more shape/window options. Overall, it’s useful with notable stability and compatibility caveats.

### Pros

- Quick access to recent apps (up to 10) for fast multitasking
- Highly customizable appearance of the access button
- Helps when important buttons on other apps are hidden or cut off by the screen edge
- Facilitates multitasking (e.g., watching videos or gaming while switching apps)
- Free to use

### Cons

- Stability issues: the app can disappear or fail to stay open
- Bugs and device-specific compatibility problems (not working properly on some devices)
- Compatibility problems on Pixel devices (e.g., Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro; freeform mode not working)
- Lack of rotation/orientation support (horizontal use requested)
- Limited window/shape options (Rectangular only; requests for square/squircle)

## Similar extensions and apps

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- [Computer Launcher](https://chrome-stats.com/d/launcher.computerlauncher.win11launcher.launcherforandroid.wallpapers.themes.iconpack) — 2,591,566 users, 4.58 / 5

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.farmerbb.taskbar)