Google Pixel phones support USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode for wired video output, but due to Android OS limitations, they cannot produce two extended external displays using MST, DisplayLink, or Thunderbolt docking technologies. This is a platform constraint, not a hardware or dock issue.
Understanding the Limitation
Google Pixel phones are limited by the Android operating system’s handling of external displays. While many Pixel models (such as the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 series) support USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode, they can only output to a single external display at a time. Android is designed primarily for screen mirroring, and extended display support is extremely limited across Android phones.
Key Point:
Android OS currently restricts Pixel phones to one external display, regardless of the dock or adapter used.
Dock Behavior with Pixel Phones
MST Docks (e.g., Plugable UD-MSTH2)
MST (Multi-Stream Transport) requires the host device to support splitting one DisplayPort signal into multiple independent video streams. While common on Windows and many Chromebooks, Pixel phones do not support MST for extended displays.
When using an MST dock, a Pixel phone will:
- Output to one external display only, or
- Mirror the same content to two connected monitors
- Dual extended desktops are not supported
DisplayLink Docks
DisplayLink technology works on Android through a companion app (e.g., DisplayLink Presenter). However:
- Android only supports a single external display via DisplayLink
- DisplayLink docks cannot be used to achieve multiple extended monitors from a Pixel device
- DisplayLink is not recommended for dual display use on Android
Thunderbolt Docks
Google Pixel phones are not Thunderbolt-certified hosts. When connected to a Thunderbolt dock:
- They revert to basic USB-C DisplayPort Alternate Mode
- Only a single mirrored display is possible
Visual Summary
| Dock Type | Extended Displays | Mirroring | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MST Dock | ❌ | ✅ | No MST support on Android |
| DisplayLink Dock | ❌ | ✅ | Requires DisplayLink app |
| Thunderbolt Dock | ❌ | ✅ | Functions as USB-C only |
Recommended Alternatives
If your goal is to use two independent external displays, consider the following instead:
- Windows laptops with DisplayPort MST support
- Chromebooks that support MST
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I extend my Pixel’s screen to two monitors using any method?
A: No. As of now, Android does not support multiple extended displays. Only mirroring to one display is possible.
Q: Does DisplayLink allow multiple displays on Android?
A: No. Even with DisplayLink’s Android app, you are limited to one external display.
Q: Why do Windows and ChromeOS devices work with MST but not Android?
A: Android lacks support for DisplayPort MST and advanced GPU capabilities required for multiple display outputs. This is a software/platform-level limitation.
Conclusion
While Google Pixel phones are capable of driving a single external display, dual extended monitors are not possible due to Android OS restrictions. This applies across all dock types, including MST, DisplayLink, and Thunderbolt. For users requiring robust multi-display setups, we recommend using a Windows or Chromebook device that supports MST alongside a compatible docking station like the Plugable UD-MSTH2.
If you have any questions or need help selecting a compatible dock, reach out to our support team at support@plugable.com.
