Microsoft will soon allow Android apps to be continued on Windows 11

Microsoft is testing a new function for Windows 11 that allows Android apps to be continued almost seamlessly on the PC. If the Android smartphone and Windows 11 system are already linked, the user can continue their activity on the cell phone on the PC, such as playing music or a podcast. This is initially possible with Spotify, but Microsoft is inviting app developers to integrate this function, called "Cross Device Resume", into their software.

Microsoft demonstrated this macOS-like "Handoff" function for Windows 11 back in May of this year at the Build conference, but cut this part of the presentation from the corresponding YouTube video at short notice. Spotify was also used as an example at the time. When users use the app on their smartphone, Windows 11 will be able to display a small app icon for the corresponding application in the taskbar. When users click on the app icon, the Spotify app will open on Windows and music playback will resume at the same point where it left off on the smartphone.

"Cross Device Resume" initially for Windows Insiders

In May, however, this function was apparently not yet ready for the public, so this part of the session was removed from the YouTube video. However, Microsoft is now describing "Cross Device Resume" in more detail in the developer channel for the introduction of the "Windows 11 Insider Preview Build" 26200.5761. Participants in this program and with this version of Windows can now test the function using Spotify. The notification to resume Spotify appears on the PC even if Spotify is not installed on Windows 11. Spotify can then be downloaded and installed from the Microsoft Store with just one click.

However, there are a few prerequisites for using this function. Firstly, users must be logged in to Spotify with the same account on both their smartphone and Windows 11 in order to continue streaming on their PC. The PC and Android phone must also be linked to each other. On Windows 11, this is possible in the Bluetooth settings; on the smartphone, the "Link to Windows" app must be installed and running in the background.

Role model: Apple's "Handoff"

Apple introduced the seamless app sharing function years ago with "Handoff" for macOS and iOS, but the idea is not new to Windows either: Microsoft tested a similar feature on Windows 10 back in 2016. The function was developed under the codename"Project Rome" at the time and was intended to enable developers to write apps that "can run on multiple devices and accompany the user when switching between devices".

Microsoft has been working on integrating Windows and smartphones more closely for years. In May 2025, in addition to a new Start menu and many AI functions for Windows 11, the company also announced that it would enable access to Android and iOS devices directly from the Start menu. However, Microsoft does not want to make this function available in Europe until later.

(fds)