Microsoft Tests Android App Resumption on Windows 11
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is testing a new Windows 11 feature that allows resuming Android apps on a PC, currently rolling out to Windows Insiders in Dev and Beta Channels.
– The feature currently only supports the Spotify app, requiring users to link their Android phone to their PC to use it.
– Users receive a “Resume from your phone” notification on Windows 11 when opening a song on Spotify’s mobile app, with an option to “Continue on this PC.”
– Upon selecting the notification, the PC opens or installs Spotify’s desktop app and continues playing the same song from the computer.
– This feature resembles Apple’s Handoff on macOS and was first showcased in a now-deleted Build 2025 demo, with potential future expansion to other activities like reading articles or writing emails.
Microsoft is currently experimenting with a new functionality for Windows 11 that enables users to seamlessly resume Android applications directly on their PC. This feature is being introduced gradually to participants in the Windows Insider Program, specifically those enrolled in the Dev and Beta Channels. At present, the capability is limited to the Spotify app, offering a glimpse into how cross-device continuity might evolve on the platform.
To experience this integration, testers must first link their Android smartphone to their Windows 11 computer. After initiating playback of a song within the Spotify mobile app, a notification labeled “Resume from your phone” appears on the PC, accompanied by the Spotify icon and an option to “Continue on this PC.” Selecting this prompt launches the Spotify desktop application, or installs it if not already present, and resumes the audio track exactly where it left off on the mobile device.
This functionality bears a strong resemblance to Apple’s Handoff feature, which allows users to transition tasks between Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Microsoft initially previewed the concept during a Build 2025 demonstration, though the video was later removed. While the company has not disclosed a roadmap for expanding support to additional apps, the potential applications are broad. Imagine pausing an article or draft email on your phone and picking it up instantly on your computer without missing a beat.
The introduction of this feature signals Microsoft’s continued investment in blurring the lines between mobile and desktop experiences, creating a more fluid digital ecosystem for users invested in both Android and Windows environments.
(Source: The Verge)
