Windows 11 Can Resume Your Android Apps Instantly
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is expanding its “Cross-Device Resume” feature in Windows 11 to allow resuming mobile apps on a PC, but only for a select group of services initially.
– The feature, previously limited to OneDrive and files like Word documents, now supports additional apps including Spotify, Microsoft Office, and Edge browsing sessions.
– This expansion currently only works for Android users and is available on specific Windows 11 builds rolling out to the Release Preview Channel.
– The update is part of a gradual rollout, requiring users to be in the Windows Insider program for early access, with a public launch expected in the coming weeks.
– While an improvement, the feature still lags behind Apple’s ecosystem in app support, and future expansions could include more apps like Chrome through potential partnerships.
While Microsoft ended its dedicated Android app support for Windows 11, the company continues to refine its cross-platform experience. A significant update now allows users to instantly resume certain Android apps directly on their PC, enhancing workflow continuity between devices. This expansion of the Cross-Device Resume feature moves beyond its initial limitation to OneDrive, bringing a more seamless transition from phone to computer for a select group of applications.
Originally introduced last May, the functionality was restricted to resuming OneDrive files like Word documents. It worked by sending a notification to a Windows 11 PC if a file had been opened on a linked mobile device within the previous five minutes. The latest development, however, focuses exclusively on Android, broadening the scope to include popular apps.
The update is currently available in Windows 11 builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701, which are being distributed through the Release Preview Channel. Supported apps now include Spotify, the Microsoft Office suite, and browsing sessions in the Edge browser. Support also extends to Vivo’s own browser and files opened in Copilot on phones from several major manufacturers, including Samsung, Honor, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi.
This represents a positive step in Microsoft’s effort to create a more connected ecosystem, though it still lags behind the deeply integrated experience offered by Apple. For instance, while adding Spotify is a logical move, its impact is somewhat lessened by the existing Spotify Connect feature, which already allows for easy control between devices. The hope is that this is just the beginning, with potential for more apps and richer functionality in the future. Collaboration between Google and Microsoft could even lead to first-party apps like Chrome supporting this seamless resumption, building on the companies’ history of partnership.
Access to this upgraded feature currently requires enrollment in the Windows Insider program, as it is part of a gradual rollout. Not all Insiders will see it immediately. A full public release is anticipated in the coming weeks, making the convenient resume capability available to all Windows 11 users.
(Source: 9to5 Google)
