- Microsoft is testing a Handoff-like feature in Windows 11.
- Users can resume apps from Android to PC via Phone Link.
- The feature starts with Spotify playback integration.
- Works best with Bluetooth-enabled Phone Link connection.
Microsoft is enhancing the relationship between Windows 11 and Android devices, and it is becoming more similar to the easy integration that Apple users feel with iPhones and Macs. The tech giant is also testing a new feature that allows users to resume Android apps on their PC, like Apple’s popular Handoff feature.
In a recent Dev Channel update for Windows Insiders, Microsoft announced users will soon be able to easily continue apps from Android over to Windows 11 PCs. The feature is rolling out gradually with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5761 (KB5064093) and will be available in the beta channel in upcoming releases.
Currently, the feature is limited starting with Spotify integration. Users can continue listening to music on any device as long as they use the same Spotify account. Interestingly, the update requires the Spotify app from the Microsoft Store, and when it is not installed, a 1-click download option will automatically install it when activated.
While Spotify Connect already allows users to switch between devices when playback, Microsoft integration goes a step further by integrating the experience into Windows 11’s Phone Link. To use the feature, your Android phone should be connected to it via Bluetooth using the Phone Link that already supports sending notifications, calling, and mirroring features between devices.
This move highlights Microsoft’s broader ambition to compete with Apple’s ecosystem, where features such as Handoff, Continuity Camera, and Universal Clipboard enable smooth transitions between iOS and macOS. While the current version remains limited, Microsoft’s strategy shows a definite intent to get closer to Android-Windows integration.
Currently, the feature feels like a lite version of Apple’s Handoff, but it’s an important first step. Microsoft has confirmed that not every Android device will support the same feature, with Samsung devices getting exclusive Phone Link benefits, but it will expand support across more Android brands and make Windows 11 and Android a strong competitor to the Apple ecosystem.
On the other hand, Apple is expected to continue to improve cross-device features through the upcoming iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe releases, and so, the competition is only heating up.
