Session experience

DPI matching

The DPI matching feature ensures that the virtual session gets rendered according to the DPI of the device. Previously, even on high-DPI mobile phones and tablets, the DPI of the device wasn’t considered for session display. Starting with the 24.1.0 release, a new display setting helps to achieve DPI matching.

On your device, go to Citrix Workspace app for Android Settings > General > Display > Session Resolution > and select the Match client DPI option.

In other words, the Citrix Workspace app attempts to match the display resolution and DPI scale settings of the Android device to the Citrix session automatically. This feature enhances the user experience by displaying the sessions according to the DPI of the phone or tablet. The session icons, text, and image clarity are now sharper and more comfortable to read.

For example, when you select the Match client DPI option, the session icons, text, and images are clear.

On the contrary, when you select the Fit screen option, the session icons, text, and images are smaller in size.

Note:

When you connect an external monitor, the session continues to render with the primary device’s DPI because of Android’s limitation.

Enlightened Data Transport (EDT)

In earlier releases, session launches were unsuccessful when Enlightened Data Transport (EDT) connections can’t be established between Citrix Gateway and the VDA. Starting with the 21.5.0 release, unsuccessful EDT connections fall back to TCP.

EDT stack parameters enabled by default

Starting with the 21.7.0 release, the EDT stack parameters are enabled by default. As a result, we’ve removed the EDT Stack Parameters option from Settings > Advanced.

To date, the option to disable EDT stack parameters was available to users. With this option available, not all clients were following custom EDT Maximum Segment Size (MSS) requirements consistently. As a result, fragmentation occurred with degradation in HDX performance and issues in establishing sessions for these clients. With EDT stack parameters newly enabled by default, the overall user experience and satisfaction is now enhanced.

Parallel connection

Starting with the 21.7.0 release, we’ve are introducing the EDT and TCP parallel connection feature. The feature results in decreased connection times.

Earlier, when establishing a connection, the Citrix Workspace app tried to connect using EDT. Unsuccessful EDT connection attempts fall back to TCP causing the following issues that are now addressed:

• Increased connection time in fallback scenarios.
• Session reliability and Auto client reconnect tended to favor TCP.
• Required a connection break to try TCP again.

MTU Discovery capabilities added to EDT

We’ve added Maximum Transmission Unit Discovery capabilities to Enlightened Data Transport (EDT). As a result, you can now enjoy a consistently stable HDX experience, delivered by EDT.

Earlier, EDT failed in several scenarios such as VPN, Wi-Fi, 4G or 3G connections, and on Microsoft Azure, caused by packet loss because of packet size.

When you tried to launch a session, packet fragmentation caused sessions to drop. As a workaround, it was necessary to adjust the EDT MSS (Maximum Segment Size) in the StoreFront file, which meant extra configuration. The addition of MTU Discovery capabilities added to EDT resolves and addresses these issues.

MTU Discovery capabilities added to EDT work in sessions hosted on 1912 VDA and later.

Auto-launch of ICA file

You can launch your published apps and desktops by tapping the resource. This feature requires StoreFront (on-premises) Version 1912 or later.

Enhanced session launch

Published apps and desktops are launched in separate windows. This enhancement helps you to use and interact with the store enumeration window without having to disconnect or log off from the session.

Limitations:

• After changing any user settings, you must relaunch the session for the changes to take effect.
• Apps and desktop are named ‘Workspace’ in the taskbar - not after the session.

Battery status indicator

The battery status of the device is now displayed in the notification area of a Citrix Desktop session.

Note:

Battery status indicator isn’t displayed for server VDA.

USB device redirection

Starting with Version 20.9.0, the USB redirection feature is fully functional and ready for general availability. By default, the USB redirection feature is disabled.

This feature allows the redirection of arbitrary USB devices from client machines to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops and Citrix DaaS. It allows you to interact with a wide selection of generic USB devices in a session, as if they were physically plugged into it.

As a prerequisite to manage this feature using the Citrix Global App Config Service, set the USB redirection feature to Enabled on the Delivery Controller. For more information on how to configure USB redirection on the Delivery Controller, see the Generic USB devices section in the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops documentation.

The Citrix Global App Configuration service gives Citrix administrators the ability to deliver Citrix Workspace service URLs and Citrix Workspace app settings through a centrally managed service.

The USB redirection feature is integrated with and configurable through the Citrix Global App Config Service. You can manage the feature using the Citrix Global App Config Service for non-domain joined networks.

For information on configuring the feature using this method, see Global App Configuration service in the developer’s documentation.

Note:

This feature is ready for general availability starting with Version 20.9.0. In Versions 20.8.1 and earlier, it’s available on-demand only.

The USB redirection policy must be set to Allowed on the Delivery Controller. For information about configuring USB redirection in Citrix Studio, see Configure generic USB redirection in the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops documentation.

For printers and scanners:

Install the vendor-specific drivers on the device. When the installation is complete, the vendor software might ask you to reconnect the USB device. Reconnect the USB device to redirect it.

Configuring USB redirection on mobile phones, tablets, and Samsung DeX

1. Add a USB redirection policy-enabled store and launch a session.

2. Tap the session toolbar icon as displayed in the dialog below:

   

3. Tap the USB Icon in the session toolbar.

4. Connected USB devices are listed in the USB devices window as follows:

   

5. To redirect a particular USB device, tap the Toggle option against the device.

   A Workspace permission dialog appears.

   

6. Tap OK to grant permission for the Citrix Workspace app to redirect the device.

   Note:

   This step is mandatory to redirect the USB device.

   The USB device is redirected and the status is displayed as follows:

   

Note:

• If a pen drive is redirected, it appears as listed in a session.
• If a printer or scanner is redirected, it’s displayed in the Devices section in the control panel.

Tested USB devices

Known issues:

• Only one USB device is supported at a time.
• Audio and video USB devices aren’t currently supported.

Auto-redirection of USB devices

Citrix Workspace app lets you redirect USB devices automatically when you connect them. When you connect a USB device, a prompt appears, asking you for permission. After you grant the permission, the USB device is redirected automatically.

Note:

This feature is available on-demand only and supports only if the USB device redirection feature is enabled.

Enhancements to audio redirection

Previously, audio redirection in a desktop session required multiple levels of microphone settings, and the steps to set the permissions weren’t intuitive. Now, microphone permission settings are simplified and are user friendly. You can also enable the permissions while you are in a session.

By default, the audio toggle under Citrix Workspace app > Settings > Audio is enabled. The session can now detect the speaker that is already connected. Administrators can enable or disable audio redirection using the Global App Configuration service.

Note:

By default, the microphone permission is disabled on both the Citrix Workspace app setting and on the store setting page.

You might come across one of the following scenarios when either the Citrix Workspace app or the store disables the microphone:

• When both Citrix Workspace app and Store settings disable the microphone permission, the Allow Workspace to record audio pop-up message appears as you start the desktop session and use the microphone. Tap While using the app.
• When Citrix Workspace app enables, but Store settings disable the microphone permission, the Allow access to microphone pop-up message appears as you start the desktop session and use the microphone. Tap Allow.

Keyboard layout synchronization

Citrix Workspace app allows you to enable the keyboard layout synchronization under Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboard Layout Sync.

The Keyboard Layout Sync option allows automatic keyboard layout synchronization between the VDA and the client device.

On a fresh install and by default, the client-side IME is automatically enabled for Japanese, Chinese, and Korean languages and the Keyboard Layout Sync option is set to Off.

To enable dynamic keyboard layout synchronization, set the Keyboard Layout Sync option to On.

When the Keyboard Layout Sync option is disabled, both the VDA-side (remote) IME and the client-side IME take effect depending on your device’s current input method. For example, if the client-side IME is in English and the VDA-side IME is in Japanese, the VDA-side IME (remote) takes effect.

When the Keyboard Layout Sync option is enabled, the client-side IME takes precedence. If you change the input language at the client-side IME, the VDA-side IME changes accordingly. For example, if you change the client-side IME to Japanese, the VDA-side IME automatically changes to Japanese. At the same time, Japanese IME on your client device is used during the session.

Prerequisites:

• For Linux VDA, enable Client keyboard layout sync and IME improvement policies.
• For Windows VDA, enable Unicode Keyboard Layout Mapping, Client Keyboard Layout Sync, and IME Improvement policies.
• The VDA must be version 7.16 or later.

Feature Limitations:

• This feature works only on soft keyboards on the devices, not on external keyboards.
• Keyboard layout synchronization does not support Gboard (the Google Keyboard).
• The keyboard layout can only be synced from the client to the server. When changing the server-side keyboard layout, the client keyboard layout can’t be changed.
• When you change the client keyboard layout to a non-compatible layout, the layout might be synced on the VDA side, but functionality can’t be confirmed.

Keyboard layout support for Windows VDA and Linux VDA

Service continuity

Service continuity removes or minimizes the dependency on the availability of components that are involved in the connection process. Users can launch their virtual apps and desktops regardless of the health status of the cloud services.

For more information, see the Service continuity section in the Citrix Workspace documentation.

App switch

This feature enables an end user to switch between many published apps that are in the same session. When you tap the Switch icon, you can scroll to select an app and the app that is in focus is highlighted. You can view the app title, preview image, and window title.

When you open or close an app, the app count updates accordingly. If some apps are opened in another session, the app count includes all the opened ones.

Support for full-screen display

Starting with the 23.8.0 version, the H264 codec supports improved video rendering in full screen mode. If you’re a frequent consumer of videos or heavily depend on video content, this feature is recommended for you. It’s designed to improve your video experience for performance, video quality, and resource utilization.

Configuration

On the DDC machine set the policy Use video codec for compression to For the entire screen to improve video compression up to 60FPS.

Addition of Ctrl+Alt+Del shortcut in session toolbar

Starting from the 23.9.5 version, the session toolbar has an option to do the Ctrl+Alt+Del function with the tap of a button. This option facilitates users to sign out, switch users, lock the device, or access the Task Manager.

Support for full-screen mode for app sessions

Previously, when you started an app session, you could view it in windowed mode.

Starting from the 23.9.5 version, Citrix Workspace app for Android introduces a new option to view the app session in full-screen mode. This feature is helpful when you:

• start a session in full immersion mode with touch devices
• try to duplicate the screen and cast it
• view the Citrix Workspace app on a smaller screen.

To enable the option, go to Citrix Workspace app for Android Settings > Advance > Fullscreen Window and toggle on. The following screenshot displays the option:

Accessibility and TalkBack

Citrix Workspace app provides an enhanced user experience with the TalkBack feature. The TalkBack feature helps end users who have difficulty seeing the screen. The narrator reads the screen elements aloud when using the UI.

To use the Android talkback feature, end users must enable it from Android Settings > Accessibility > Talkback.

For more information, see Accessibility and TalkBack in the help documentation.

Known issues in the feature

• When you attach an external keyboard to your device:

  • To use the CapsLock key as the narrator key, the action might not work as expected. As a workaround, press the Insert key. [HDX-55347]
  • To use the key combination Win+Ctrl+Enter to enable the narrator, the action doesn’t take effect inside the virtual desktop session. As a workaround, use the Win key or the Start menu and enter the word Narrator. [HDX-55380]

Sustainability initiative from Citrix Workspace app

Previously, virtual desktops were left in a disconnected state when users closed them by tapping the home button. This consumed unnecessary energy and power resources.

Starting from the 24.2.0 version, we have introduced a sustainability initiative that encourages users to conserve energy that might be used due to running unused virtual desktops.

With this feature enabled, when users tap on the X icon to disconnect the session, a prompt is displayed to sign out from the desktop session. This feature can be helpful in enterprises that use Windows OS policies to shut down VMs when no users are logged in.

End users can exit from the session in two ways:

• Sign out to save energy. This sustainability action shuts down the virtual machine and conserve energy. End users must make sure to save their work before signing out.
• Disconnect to close the virtual desktop session window. However, the virtual session remains active until the next sign-in. End users can resume their work easily.

As an administrator, you can customize the sustainability message. For more information on how to enable and customize this feature, see the Sustainability initiative from Citrix Workspace app article in Citrix Workspace app for Windows documentation.

Improved error messages

Previously, error messages had insufficient actionable descriptions.

Starting with the 23.12.0 release, error messages include a clear and user-friendly title, a specific description for each error, and error codes where possible. Error codes help administrators to troubleshoot the issue. The improved messages to end users provide enough details to troubleshoot problems. If there are any unresolved issues, we suggest users reach out to their IT administrator for further assistance.

For example, when the user is unable to sign in, the following error message appears:

Soft keyboard support for barcode scanner

Previously, when barcode scanners (for example, Zebra scanners) were detected in a session, the soft keyboard didn’t appear. The issue was because it was identified as an external keyboard.

Starting with the 24.2.0 version, the soft keyboard appears when barcode scanners are connected as a physical input device. A new keyboard setting is added to support this feature. End users can go to Citrix Workspace app Setting > Keyboard > and select Allow session on-screen keyboard when a physical input device is connected option.

Managing predictive text

The predictive text helps in a better typing experience by suggesting words that you can type next. When you enable this feature during an app or desktop session, it’s possible for passwords to show up on the prediction ribbon. To control this behavior this feature is disabled by default.

Notes:

• On your device’s default keyboard settings, if the Predictive text option is disabled, you can’t use this feature even when you enable it through Citrix Workspace app for Android.
• In a session, when the CJK input layout is set as a default on the GBoard keyboard, the English layout appears instead of the CJK layout. To view the CJK keyboard layout, go to app Settings > Keyboard and enable the Predictive text option. [CVADHELP-23667]

Document scanner

If you’re signed into Citrix Workspace app, you can use the document scanner feature to scan many documents and transfer those scanned documents to the virtual desktop session.

Note:

• This feature is enabled by default.

Prerequisites

• Client drive mapping (CDM) must be enabled for the store.
• Document scanner requires read and write access on your device. To enable access, follow these steps:
  1. From your profile, tap application Settings > Store settings.
  2. Tap your current store.
  3. Tap Device Storage and then select Full access.

For more information about how to use this feature, see Document scanner in the help documentation.

Enhancement to support desktop-like experience in a single session on Samsung DeX

Previously, Citrix Workspace app supported seamless multi-tasking and provided users with a desktop-like experience. It allows you to open multiple apps within the same session to run simultaneously. These apps opened in separate windows.

Starting from the 24.7.0 release, end users can open a separate window for session-sharing apps. This feature supports more than one local window, thus facilitating multi-tasking. Each window has a name for each virtual app. Users can open multiple virtual apps and native DeX apps on the DeX screen only. Active virtual apps and native DeX apps show up as active apps in the bottom taskbar with respective app names, on the DeX Screen only.

Note:

The first app you start might take a minute to sign in to the session and load your user profile.

Users can do the following:

• Click the pin button on the upper-right of the window to pin the app window. The pinned window always stays on top.
• Access the session toolbar button on all the app windows.
• Minimize, maximize, move, and close the app window.
• Switch apps and multi-task using mouse clicks, double-clicks, drag, and keyboard strokes.

Feature limitations

• Server-oriented window size change isn’t supported. In other words, if the size of the server-side window is set or limited, any requests to change the size from the client side aren’t successful. This setting results in a discrepancy between the local and remote window graphics.
• The client-side window has a minimum window size. For instance, the minimum size of a window on a 1920x1080 resolution DeX screen is 220x220 with the title bar, and the available rectangle size is 220x189.
• Certain menu options might extend and appear out of the parent app boundary. The extended menu options might appear in the other app windows.
• The preview image of an app in the taskbar might overlap and cover another app’s preview.