Cross‑Device Resume expands to native Android to Windows handoff

Microsoft’s quietly launched Cross‑Device Resume — the Windows 11 feature that lets you “pick up where you left off” between phone and PC — has taken a meaningful step out of niche experiment status and into a wider, more practical rollout that finally looks like it could matter to everyday users.

Background​

Cross‑Device Resume first surfaced as a OneDrive‑centric convenience: open a Word, Excel, PowerPoint or PDF on your phone, unlock your Windows 11 PC within a short window, and the OS would offer a one‑click resume notification to open the same file on the desktop. That initial implementation — introduced in Microsoft’s May 28, 2025 non‑security update (KB5058499) — was useful but narrow, because it depended on cloud‑backed OneDrive documents and a tight timing window.
In recent Insider builds and the Release Preview channelary 27, 2026, Microsoft expanded the scope: Cross‑Device Resume now supports true app handoff for certain Android apps and OEM ecosystems, mapping a phone activity to its best desktop handler (native app or browser) instead of relying solely on OneDrive cloud saves. That change is central to why this story matters now.

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What changed: from cloud‑only resume to native app handoff​

The headline updates​

• Windows 11 Builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 were released to the Release Preview channel with Cross‑Device Resume expansions. These builds are the last stop before broad rollout, which means the feature is in final testing and will reach mainstream users soon.
• Resume is no longer limited to OneDrive files. Microsoft documented that activities from Android apps — like Spotify playback, browsing sessions from vivo Browser, and Microsoft 365 Copilot files opened on select OEM phones — can now be surfaced on the PC and opened in the matching desktop app or in the browser if the native app is not installed.
• Microsoft also introduced developer and integration pathways that reduce friction: the system maps a compact metadata payload (an AppContext) to a desktop handler, preferring native apps and falling back to web links. This design avoids streaming a phone UI to the PC, reducing bandwidth and complexity.

Why that matters​

Up to now, Cross‑Device Resume often felt like a feature you should use but didn’t — largely because app support was sparse and the UX was framed around cloud file continuation. By enabling apps themselves (or their backend notifications) to trigger a resume affordance on the PC, Microsoft turns resume into a genuine cross‑device continuity mechanism similar in spirit to Apple’s Handoff — but implemented for Android↔Windows workflows. Early demos and reporting (including a now‑edited Build session) showed how a Spotify session or a browser tab could present a “Resume on PC” cue and open the corresponding desktop target instantly.

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How Cross‑Device Resume works (technical breakdown)​

AppContext: the lightweight handshake​

At the core of resume is AppContext — a compact metadata descriptor sent from the phone to the paired Windows 11 PC via Link to Windows / Phone Link services. AppContext typically contains:

• A context identifier and a short lifetime to prevent stale resume prompts.
• A deep link or public web link pointing to the content or state.
• A short title and preview bytes used for UI affordances.

Windows consumes the AppContext, resolves the best desktop handler (native app if installed, otherwise web fallback), and surfaces a taskbar or shell notification for one‑click continuation. This approach prioritizes native desktop fidelity and minimizes privacy and performance surface area compared to streaming full UI states.

Integration routes for developers​

Microsoft allows two primary ways for an app to trigger resume:

• Native Continuity SDK integration (a Limited Access Feature) that directly publishes AppContext payloads.
• A lower‑friction route leveraging Windows Push Notification Service (WNS) or server‑side notifications for apps that already use cloud notifications, allowing many apps to enable resume without a heavy client SDK integration. This opens the door for quicker third‑party adoption.

The role of Link to Windows / Phone Link​

The phone remains the authoritative runtime in many cases. Link to Windows (Android companion) acts as the conduit for AppContext messages, while a Windows component (the Cross Device Experience Host) surfaces the resume affordance and performs handler resolution. The pairing and authentication t account alignment, Link to Windows installation, and internet connectivity) remain prerequisites. Microsoft’s support documentation explains the required configuration and how users can disable resume per‑app or globally.

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OEMs, apps, and the rollout landscape​

OEM and app partners called out so far​

Microsoft’s Release Preview notes and Insider reporting list specific OEMs and apps in the preview scope: Honor, Oppo, Samsung, Vivo, and Xiaomi were named as partner ecosystems whose phones can surface Copilot online files to a paired PC; vivo Browser specifically is called out for browser tab handoff. Spotify continues to be an early app example for audio resume.
It’s worth noting that the preview partner list has been fluid during testing: Microsoft adjusted which OEMs were referenced during the Insider phase, underscoring that this is a staged, partner‑gated rollout rather than an immediate global switch. Treat the OEM list as representative of early partners and not a complete shipping list.

Why partner OEMs matter​

OEMs often ship customized Android builds and app stores; they can integrate the Continuity SDK directly into system apps (like browser or native file viewers) and test resume payloads with Microsoft more easily. That partnership model accelerates real‑world reliability and helps prevent a fragmented experience where only a handful of apps work. But it also means availability will be uneven at first, with some phones and regions seeing features sooner.

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Practical examples and everyday scenarios​

• Resume Spotify playback started on your phone: click the badge on the Spotify icon on the Windows taskbar; Spotify desktop opens and continues playback from the same spot. Perfect for switching from commuting to working without hunting for the same podcast timestamp.
• Continue a browsing session: if you opened an article in vivo Browser on your phone, a Resume affordance can open that same page in your PC’s default browser. That turns casual reading on the go into a quick desktop follow‑up.
• Open a Copilot file from your phone: an online Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file surfaced via a Copilot mobile app on supported OEM phones can be opened on the desktop, launching the native Office app if installed or falling back to the browser for quick edits. This brings cloud‑first mobile editing into a seamless PC workflow.

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Security, privacy, and manageability — what to watch for​

Cross‑device continuity is great for productivity, but it raises practical questions users and IT admins should understand.

• Data scope and lifetime: AppContext entries are intentionally short‑lived; the resume affordance times out quickly, limiting stale or leaked resume prompts. Still, organizations should consider whether a device‑to‑PC activity indicator meets their data governance rules.
• ount alignment: For OneDrive‑based resume, Microsoft requires the same Microsoft account on phone and PC; organizational accounts were not supported in earlier OneDrive implementations. IT admins need to confirm how this maps to enterprise policies and whether their users can or should enable it.
• Surface area for attack: Because resume uses deep links and AppContext metadata, proper validation is critical. Microsoft’s design preference for opening content in native desktop apps or a browser — rather than streaming a phone UI — reduces attack vectors, but developers and OEMs must sanitize deep links and avoid exposing sensitive content via easily guessed URLs.
• Manageability for admins: Resume can be toggled off globally or per app via Settings > Apps > Resume. Enterprises should include resume in endpoint configuration baselines if they want to control or restrict cross‑device handoffs. Microsoft has acknowledged this management surface in both product documentation and IT blogs.

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Adoption hurdles and lingering limitations​

• Gating and staged rollout: Microsoft is deploying the expanded resume feature as a gradual rollout, with server‑side gating and OEM‑partner onboarding. That means even Windows Insiders may not see the feature immediately. Expect availability to roll out by account, device pairing, and region.
• App and OEM support: Although Microsoft provided lower‑friction infeature still depends on developer interest and OEM cooperation. If apps and phone makers don’t prioritize Continuity SDK or WNS integration, resume will stay limited in reach.
• Fragmented UX across ecosystems: Unlike Apple’s tightly integrated iOS/macOS ecosystem, the Android+Windows model must accommodate many OEM variants. Early experiences will therefore vary, and users should expect a period of uneven behavior.
• The “phone as authority” tradeoff: App states are often authored on the phone relies on metadata rather than reproducing the exact in‑app runtime. For complex app states, resume may not always rehydrate perfectly — especially for apps that store content locally on the phone and not in the cloud. Microsoft explicitly notes offline phone‑stored files aren’t currently supported for some Copilot flows.

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How to try it today (practical checklist)​

If you want to test Cross‑Device Resume on an eligible Windows 11 PC and Android phone, follow these steps:

• Ensure your PC is on a supported Windows 11 build (Insider Dev/Beta or Release Preview for the new expands; builds noted in Microsoft’s January 27, 2026 announcement include 26100.7701 and 26200.7701).
• Install Link to Windows on your Android phone and pair it to your PC via Phone Link.
• Sign into the same Microsoft account on both devices for OneDrive‑based resume. For app handoffs, make sure the relevant app is installed and signed in on both devices (Spotify, vivo Browser, Copilot mobile app on supported OEM phones, etc.).
• Enable Resume in Settings > Apps > Resume on your PC, and verify per‑app toggles if you want to limit which apps can surface resume prompts.

If you don’t see resume prompts immediately, remember rollouts are staged and feature availability may be server‑gated. Waiting a few days or confirming OEM app updates often resolves visibility issues.

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Strengths, risks, and where Microsoft should focus next​

Strengths​

• Native‑first design: Preferring native desktop handlers keeps the PC experience fast and familiar, and avoids heavy UI streaming. That’s a practical win for performance and security.
• Lower friction for developers: The WNS-based integration path reduces the engineering barrier for apps to participate, improving the odds of rapid third‑party adoption.
• OEM partnerships: Working directly with OEMs accelerates reliable experiences for system apps (browser, preinstalled Copilot integrations), allowing use cases like browser tab handoffs to come online sooner.

Risks and open questions​

• Fragmented availability: A partner‑gated rollout means the feature may feel spotty for many users initially, which harms discoverability and adoption. Microsoft needs a clear, public roadmap for broadening support beyond early OEMs.
• Privacy and enterprise control: Enterprises will want granular control and clear documentation about how resume interacts with corporate accounts, mobile device management, and data residency concerns. Microsoft’s current guidance covers basics, but more IT‑oriented controls and telemetry will improve adoption for managed fleets.
• Real‑world handoff fidelity: Not every app maps cleanly from phone to PC. Expect edge cases where a resume action opens a document or URL but doesn’t fully restore the in‑app editing state or playback position. Microsoft and developers should prioritize consistency tests to raise the baseline UX.

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Final verdict: practical continuity — when it will be useful and when it won’t​

Cross‑Device Resume is no longer a niche OneDrive novelty; with the January 2026 Release Preview expansion, it is an actual continuity layer that can move browsing, music, and cloud documents from Android phones to Windows PCs with a single click. For commuters, hybrid workers, and users who bounce between phone and PC, that can be a real productivity boost — if your phone, apps, and PC are in the supported set.
That caveat matters: this feature will feel transformative only when it is broadly available and consistently reliable across apps and OEMs. Microsoft’s architecture choices — AppContext metadata, native app preference, and WNS integration path — give it the technical foundation to scale. The company’s immediate work should be on expanding partner support, improving developer tooling, and clarifying enterprise controls so that the feature does not remain the “underused” novelty it started as.
If you want to try it now, check your Windows Insider channel or Release Preview updates, pair your phone with Link to Windows, and test simple scenarios like Spotify playback or a browser page. If you’re an app developer or OEM, this is a moment to evaluate the Continuity SDK or the WNS route — enabling resume could be a straightforward way to make your mobile experience feel native on the PC.
Cross‑device handoff is a small thing that, when done right, adds up to a smoother day. Microsoft has closed the technical gaps; now the hard work is social — getting apps, OEMs, and users to rely on it.

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Source: XDA Windows 11's most underused feature is getting a boost soon

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft’s Release Preview update for Windows 11 moves a long‑maturing continuity effort into view: the operating system can now resume certain Android app activities on the PC, including Spotify playback, Edge browsing sessions, and Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) files opened via Copilot mobile — and the code, rollout mechanics, and developer requirements make this more than a gimmick.

Background​

Microsoft has been testing cross‑device continuity for years under a succession of names — Phone Link (formerly Your Phone), Project Rome, and more recently a metadata-driven "Resume" architecture that hands off activity descriptors from Android phones to Windows. The current incarnation avoids streaming phone screens to the desktop; instead, Android apps publish a compact activity payload (an AppContext) that Windows reads and maps to the best desktop handler: a native app if installed, or a browser fallback. That approach reduces bandwidth, improves performance, and keeps the desktop experience native.
This latest Release Preview step (delivered in preview packages such as KB5074105 and earlier Insider builds like KB5070307 / Build 26220.7271) signals a controlled move from experiment to mainstream rollout. Release Preview is the final ring before broad distribution, so features appearing here are often close to general availability — but Microsoft continues to gate access server‑side and by OEM/app approvals.

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What’s in the Release Preview: the practical changes​

Cross‑Device Resume: what you can expect right now​

• Resume Spotify playback you started on an Android phone and continue it on a Windows 11 PC. If the PC lacks the Spotify desktop app, Windows may prompt to install it so the resume is seamless.
• Continue Edge or default‑browser browsing sessions that were active on supported Android browsers (Vivo Browser has been explicitly mentioned in preview notes). The active tab can be re‑opened on the PC with a taskbar resume affordance.
• Pick up Microsoft 365 documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) opened in the Copilot mobile app on supported OEM phones; files open in the desktop Office app if installed, otherwise in the default browser. Offline files stored only on the phone are not supported because the mechanism requires an online endpoint.

These resume prompts appear as small taskbar or shell affordances; a one‑click action resolves the AppContext to the proper handler on the PC. The phone remains the authoritative runtime in many cases — Windows acts on a compact descriptor rather than attempting to replicate the phone UI on the desktop.

Non‑resume platform improvements bundled in this preview​

• MIDI 2.0 support and broader MIDI service improvements for music production workflows.
• Voice Typing / Fluid Dictation improvements that leverage on‑device models to clean punctuation and filler words.
• Windows Hello Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) support for fingerprint sensors, extending peripheral authentication scenarios.
• Copilot+ Settings Agent language expansion on Copilot Plus PCs to include German, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Italian, and Simplified Chinese.

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How Cross‑Device Resume works (technical breakdown)​

AppContext: the lightweight handshake​

At the heart of this continuity model is a structured metadata packet called AppContext. It contains fields such as contextId, creation time, a title/preview, and either an intent URI (deep link) or a public web link. When an Android app wants to make an activity resumable, it initializes the Continuity SDK and publishes AppContext objects to the phone’s Link to Windows (LTW) service. LTW forwards those descriptors to the paired Windows device, which then surfaces a resume affordance.
The advantage: rather than shipping full app state or streaming a UI, the mechanism provides enough context for Windows to recreate or resolve the activity into a desktop experience (open the corresponding file in Word or the matching URL in the browser). That keeps the desktop native and reduces attack surface.

Integration paths: Continuity SDK and WNS fallback​

Microsoft offers two practical integration methods:

• Continuity SDK (deep integration): Android apps embed the Continuity SDK and publish AppContext events directly via Link to Windows. This is treated as a Limited Access Feature (LAF) and requires onboarding with Microsoft. Minimum Android SDK and tooling versions are published by Microsoft and must be followed for approval.
• WNS raw notification route (lower friction): Apps that already use server push can send raw Windows Push Notification Service payloads with resume metadata to a Windows channel URI, enabling resume without embedding the full SDK. Microsoft still requires approvals and onboarding for data handling and privacy guarding. This route lowers developer cost and opens the feature to more partners.

Cross Device Experience Host (CDEH) and handler resolution​

On the PC, a system component (commonly described in Microsoft documentation as the Cross Device Experience Host) receives AppContext messages and decides how to handle them. The resolution logic prefers a native app (by protocol/URI handler), falling back to a web link if no desktop handler exists. If the desktop app isn’t installed, Windows may prompt to install it from the Store to maintain a smooth resume flow.

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Why Microsoft’s design matters (and how it differs from Apple Handoff)​

Apple’s Handoff moves activity tidily between iOS and macOS largely because Apple controls both ends of the stack. Microsoft faces a fragmented Android ecosystem and a diverse Windows install base, so it chose an interoperable metadata pattern rather than device‑level UI streaming.

• The metadata approach is scalable across Android OEMs: a small descriptor is easier to standardize than streaming UIs across thousands of Android variants.
• It respects desktop primacy: Windows prefers to hand off to native desktop apps rather than emulate a mobile UI on the PC.
• It reduces network and security cost compared with full-session streaming or screen mirroring.

This design admits tradeoffs: it won’t reproduce every mobile interaction perfectly, and it depends on networked links or cloud‑backed resources for some scenarios. But the decision is pragmatic and focused on delivering practical productivity wins where they matter most: music, browsing, and cloud documents.

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Strengths: immediate, practical wins​

• Less friction, real productivity gain. For users who switch between phone and PC frequently, resuming a Spotify track, a browsing session, or a cloud Office file saves repetitive steps and reduces cognitive context switching. This is tangible, everyday value.
• Native desktop behavior. Because Windows resolves to native handlers, workflows preserve keyboard shortcuts, multi‑window layouts, and desktop toolchains rather than shoehorning a mobile UI into the PC.
• Lower developer friction via WNS. The raw notification path makes it realistic for third‑party apps to support resume without heavy mobile SDK integration, potentially accelerating adoption.
• Vendor and cloud cooperation. Microsoft’s partner approach — working with OEMs and app vendors — enables focused, reliable experiences (e.g., Vivo Browser tab handoff or Copilot mobile integrations) rather than a half‑baked, one‑size‑fits‑all rollout.

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Risks, limitations, and unanswered questions​

Gated rollout and availability fragmentation​

Microsoft is using controlled feature rollouts and OEM onboarding to enable resume. That means feature availability will vary by device, region, account, and app approval status. Simply installing the Release Preview package does not guarantee immediate access. Expect patchy availability during the early months of rollout.

Privacy and security considerations​

Resume involves sending activity descriptors through Microsoft services (and potentially WNS) to the paired PC. Microsoft states that this data is processed in accordance with its services agreement and privacy policy, and that AppContext lifetimes are short. Nevertheless, enterprises and privacy‑conscious users should vet data flows and MDM controls before enabling the feature widely. Sensitive content that appears resumable via a descriptor could create accidental exposures if administrators don’t have controls in place.

Dependence on online‑accessible endpoints​

Microsoft has been explicit: local/offline files stored only on the phone are not supported. Resume relies on reachability — either cloud‑hosted documents or accessible web links — so scenarios involving phone‑local-only content or poor network connectivity will fail. That constraint is practical from an engineering viewpoint, but limits some use cases.

Limited Access Feature (LAF) gatekeeping​

The Continuity SDK is a Limited Access Feature; apps must request access and meet Microsoft’s onboarding criteria (UX description, manifest, package ID, and more). While WNS reduces friction, LAF still adds a gate that could slow broad third‑party adoption, especially for smaller developers.

Enterprise governance and compliance friction​

IT organizations will need clear admin tooling to audit and restrict resume flows. Until Microsoft provides robust enterprise controls and documentation for large‑scale deployment, many organizations will keep the feature off by policy, limiting its adoption in corporate environments.

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How to try it (Release Preview checklist)​

If you want to try resume on a home or test PC, follow these general steps. Note that availability depends on server‑side gating and OEM/app onboarding, so these steps do not guarantee the feature:

• Join the Windows Insider Program and select the Release Preview channel.
• Install the Release Preview cumulative update that contains the resume expansions (reported builds include packages such as KB5074105 and Preview builds 26100.7701 / 26200.7701).
• On your PC go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Mobile devices and enable the mobile pairing options and “Allow this PC to access your mobile devices.” Ensure Link to Windows or the relevant companion app is installed and updated on the Android phone.
• Sign into the relevant Android apps (Spotify, Copilot mobile, compatible browsers) on the phone and permit notifications; the phone and PC should be paired and permitted to communicate in the background.

If a resume affordance does not appear, remember Microsoft gates rollout via server toggles; patience and ensuring both devices are updated is often the only remedy.

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Developer and OEM implications​

For app developers​

• Decide whether to apply for Continuity SDK access (LAF) if deep integration is required. Microsoft’s developer documentation lists required metadata, minimum SDK versions, and onboarding steps. Expect the approval process to require UX descriptions, manifests, and store links.
• If you already use backend push infrastructure, consider the WNS raw notification path to send resume metadata with lower integration cost, while still complying with Microsoft’s onboarding requirements for privacy and security.

For OEMs and partners​

• OEMs that ship Link to Windows preloaded — or partner closely with Microsoft — will get preferential early experiences. The preview notes list specific vendors and show that OEM participation materially influences which phones can hand off activities. Vendors that embrace the SDK and the onboarding process will provide smoother user experiences.

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Final assessment: incremental, but strategically important​

This Release Preview step does not rewrite the rules of device continuity overnight, but it is strategically significant. Microsoft has moved Resume from a limited OneDrive trick into a pragmatic handoff platform that targets real productivity workflows: music, browsing, and cloud Office documents. The underlying design choices — AppContext metadata, handler resolution, and a two‑path integration model — are sensible responses to the fragmentation of the Android ecosystem and the diversity of the Windows install base.
Key takeaways for Windows users and IT pros:

• Consumers who live between Android phones and Windows PCs will see immediate quality‑of‑life improvements as OEMs and apps enroll.
• Developers have a realistic, lower‑friction route to support Resume, but LAF gating and privacy review will slow indiscriminate adoption.
• Enterprises should treat this as a capability to pilot with governance controls in place, not as a default convenience to enable broadly without assessment.

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What to watch next​

• Official GA timing and admin controls — Microsoft’s Release Preview rollout suggests GA is imminent, but the company has not announced a firm consumer release date. Watch for admin‑grade controls and MDM policy hooks.
• Broader app adoption beyond early partners — the usefulness of resume scales with the number of participating apps and OEMs. Expect incremental growth, but not universality, in the short term.
• Privacy and audit tooling — for corporate users the availability of audit logs and remote disable is decisive; monitor Microsoft’s admin documentation when GA is announced.
• Edge/Copilot integration nuance — deeper Copilot and Edge experiences could shape how people choose to move between phones and PCs; follow how the Copilot mobile integration evolves across OEMs and regions.

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Microsoft’s cross‑device Resume is not a single, sweeping “Handoff for Windows” moment yet, but it is the clearest, most practical advance toward that vision in years. If the company can expand developer access responsibly, provide clear admin controls for enterprises, and broaden OEM participation, Resume could become one of the quiet, daily reasons mixed‑ecosystem users prefer Windows as their productivity hub. Until then, early adopters can test the convenience on Release Preview builds while administrators and security teams plan governance and risk assessments.
Conclusion: Windows 11’s Release Preview makes resuming Android app activities on the PC a realistic, near‑term feature — practical in scope, architected for native desktop experiences, but intentionally gated and conditional on OEM, app and network factors. For users who want less friction when switching devices, this is one of the most useful feature stories to follow in Windows 11’s recent evolution.

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Source: filmogaz.com Windows 11 Nears Rollout for Resuming Android Apps on PC

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft has quietly moved Cross‑Device Resume out of the lab and into the Release Preview ring: Windows 11 builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 (delivered as KB5074105) now let a handful of Android apps and services — including Spotify, Microsoft 365 files opened in the Copilot mobile app, and compatible browser sessions such as Vivo Browser — be resumed on a paired Windows PC with a single click.

Background / Overview​

Microsoft first introduced a constrained resume experience tied to OneDrive in May 2025, a modest beginning that let you click a notification on Windows to reopen a document you’d touched on a phone within a short window. That mechanistic approach has now evolved into a broader continuity system — often called Cross‑Device Resume or “Resume” — designed to hand off activity metadata from an Android phone to a Windows 11 PC and let the desktop open the best available native handler (desktop app or browser) instead of streaming or emulating the phone UI.
This Release Preview shift is notable because Release Preview is the last ring before general availability. Moves into this channel generally signal that Microsoft thinks a feature is close to ready for a though Microsoft continues to gate broader availability server‑side and by OEM/app partnerships. Expect a staged, region‑and‑account‑dependent rollout in the coming weeks.

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What changed: the practical feature set in these ne scenarios​

• Spotify playback resume — Start listening on your Android phone and continue that exact track and timestamp on PC via a Resume affordance. If the Spotify desktop client is missing, Windows can prompt to install it so the experience remains native.
• Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) file rele — Files opened in the Copilot mobile app on supported Android phones (Samsung, Honor, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi and others called out in preview notes) can be reopened on the PC. If the corresponding desktop app is present, Windows will open it there; ils back to your default browser. Offline files stored only on the phone are not supported.
• Browser session handoff — Compatible Android browsers can hand an active tab or browsing context to Windows so the page reopens in the PC’s default browser. Vivo Browser is explicitly mentioned in the preview release notes.

These scenarios move resume beyond the narrow OneDrive demo and demonstrate Microsoft’s intent to support both first‑party and third‑party experiences where OEMs and apps cooperate.

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How Cross‑Device Resume works (technical essentials)​

Microsoft’s design intentionally avoids streaming an Android app’s UI to the desktop. Instead, the system exchanges a compact, ephemeral descriptor called an AppContext — a metadata packet that contains a context identifier, a title/preview, and a pointer to the resource (an intent URI or a public weblink). The phone publishes AppContext objects to the paireugh Link to Windows (LTW) and the Continuity plumbing; Windows surfaces a resume affordance in the shell that launches the best available handler.
Two integration paths are now supported:

• Continuity SDK + Link to Windows — Apps embed Micro and push AppContext events via LTW; this is the richer, tighter integration designed for partners who join Microsoft’s limited access program.
• Windows Push Notification Service (WNS) fallback — A lower‑friction server‑side route that lets apps already using push notifications trigger resume prompts without embedding the full SDK. This path is important becauss developer integration costs and should speed adoption across more apps.

When Windows receives an AppContext it tries to open the associated desktop handler: the native desktop application first, or the system default browser as a fallback. That keeps the experience fast, native, and less dependes.

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Why this matters: strengths and real‑world benefits​

• Native desktop continuity, not emulation. By mapping to native handlers rather than streaming Android UIs, Microsoft preserves desktop performance and user expectations. Your PC opens Word, Spotify, or the browser like any other document or app. This reduces latency and simplifies trust boundaries.
• Lower developer friction with WNS. Many apps already use server‑side push. Allowing resume to be triggered via WNS meaningfully expands the number of potential partners because it avoids mandating a heavy SDK integration. This is a pragmatic decision likely to accelerate partner onboarding.
• Practical productivity scenarios. Tcrosoft 365 files and browser sessions makes Resume useful beyond a clever demo: you can begin editing a document on the phone, lock it, walk to your PC, and one click resumes your work in a full‑featured desktop app. For multitaskers who switch devices, that’s a tangible workflow improvement.
• OEM partnerships can unlock tighter experiences. The fact that specific OEMs (Samsung, Vivo, Honor, Oppo, Xiaomi) are called out reflects deeper preinstall and Link to Windows intld more reliable behavior than a purely app‑level integration. For users of those devices this can feel polished out of the box.

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The limits and risks: realistic caveats you should know​

While the feature is promising, it’s not yet an apples‑to‑apples replacement for Apple’s Handoff — and there are several practical and security‑related constraints to consider.

Gated rollout and Microsoft is rolling Resume out gradually and server‑side. Installing a Release Preview build does not guarantee you’ll see the feature immediately; Microsoft gates by account, device, OEM and region to keep the experience predictable while testing scaling and security. Insiders should expect a staggered availability window.​

Limited partner set and onboarding friction​

The Continuity SDK is a **Limited Aors and apps must apply and meet onboarding requirements. That means smaller apps won’t spontaneously appear in Resume until they pursue integration or use the WNS path and obtain the required permissions. This creates a natural headwind to broad, immediate parity with Apple’s ecosystem.

Not a substitute for full state sync or offline content​

• The phone often remains the authoritative runtime. Resume hands off context; it doesn’t transfer fullffline‑only files. If content exists only locally on the phone, Resume won’t reopen it on the PC — the feature depends on accessible web endpoints or cloud files. That matters for users who work with local, offline content.
• Authentication and session continuity can be messy. Resuming a Copilot document or an online editor requires that the user be signed in to the same account on both devices and that session token access. In practice, that can cause user friction (extra sign‑ins, session timeouts, or inconsistent identity contexts). This will be particularly visible in corporate environments with conditional access or multi‑tenant restrictions.

Privacy and security concerns​

• Metadata leakage risk. The AppContext packet intentionally contains only limited metadata, but any system that broadcasts "what you’re doing" introduces an attack surface. Microsoft’s controlled onboarding and short lifetime for AppContext aim to reduce abuse, but enterprises and privacy‑sensitive users should demand clear documentation about retention, encryption, and telemetry.
• OAuth and token handling. If a resume action opens a web fallback, the browser must have the correct authenticated session. Handling tokens and OAuth flows across devices is complex; improper handling can create confusing prompts or, less likely, token‑related vulnerabilities. Organizations with strict access controls should test behavior carefully before recommending this to users.

Fragmentation across browsers and apps​

The preview explicitly names Vivo Browser as a supported browser for certain handoffs. That’s progress, but it also highlights a gap: first‑party apps like Google Chrome or other popular third‑party browsers aren’t automatically included in the preview list, and cross‑vendor coordination is required to add them. The result is a patchwork of support that will feel uneven to many users unless Microsoft significantly broadens partner adoption.

Redundancy vs. existing ecosystems​

Services like Spotify Connect already let users seamlessly switch audio endpoints between devices — sometimes more smoothly than a resume affordance that depends on a desktop app being installed. Resume’s promise is continuity across types of activity, but in some verticals (music plards remain strong. Microsoft’s value proposition is broader context handoff rather than replacing device-specific streaming ecosystems.

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What this means for users: practical advice​

If you want to try Cross‑Device Resume now, here’s how to prepare and what to expect.

• Join the Windows Insider Program and select the Rl. The resume builds in question were delivered to Release Preview as KB5074105 (Builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701), and Microsoft began rolling these out to Insiders on January 27, 2026. Expect a subsequent public rollout.
• Update yoWindows** / OEM companion app and the apps you intend to use for resume (Spotify, Copilot mobile, Vivo Browser, etc.), and ensure both devices are signed into the same Microsoft account where required.
• Os → Bluetooth & devices → Mobile devices and enable the option that lets your PC access your mobile devices; pairing and notification permissions must be allowed. Some OEMs require their own permissive settings for Link to Windows to publish AppContext events.
• Kep apps installed if you want a truly native handler; otherwise expect the browser fallback. For music, install Spotify; for Office documents, have the Microsoft 365 apps present if you prefer desktop editing.
• Understand that availabiume does not appear immediately after installing the Release Preview update, that’s expected behavior while Microsoft enables the feature for more accounts.

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What developers and OEMs should know​

• Request access to the Continuity SDK if you want deep integration and well‑formed AppContext objects. Expect an onboarding review that includes UX descriptions and security checks; this is not a “push a checkbox” program.
• Consition if you already use server push. Microsoft’s WNS fallback is a pragmatic, lower-cost route to trigger resume affordances, but you will still need to meet Microsoft’s gating and security expectations.
• Design for identity and session continuity. Ensure your cloud service supports quick, secure cross‑device authentication flows to minimize friction when a resume action opens a document or a web fallback.
• Test edge cases: offline file behavior, session timeouts, and OEM Link to Windows versions. Devices with older Link to Windows packages or non‑cooperating OEM integrations may fail to produce AppContext events consistently.

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Competitive context and strategic implications​

Microsoft’s Resume is thelicit attempt to deliver Apple‑like continuity for the heterogeneous Android + Windows world. It’s a different answer to the same user need: instead of vertical integration across devices (Apple’s model), Microsoft is building a metadata‑driven interoperability layer that requires OEM and app cooperation and that maps phone activity to the most suitable desktop handler.

• This approach plays to Microsoft’s strengths: an open‑platform posture that uses OS handlers and cloud fallbacks rather than emulation. It also aligns with Microsoft’s enterprise focus by leveraging existing desktop apps and identity infrastructures.
• The limitation: it’s inherently more fragile than a single‑vendor continuity model because it depends on partner onboarding, server‑side gating, and a consistent set of supported apps and OEMs. Expect incremental wins rather than an immediate, universal handoff experience.
• For Google and Microsoft to enable first‑party Chrome resume parity, they’d need to agree on integration semantics and privacy guarantees; while history shows the two companies have partnered before, such a move would require trust and technicanot be trivial. Treat suggestions of imminent Chrome integration as speculative unless Microsoft and Google issue joint statements. (This is a potential—not a confirmed—roadmap iity and privacy checklist for administrators
• Confirm whether AppContext payloads are encrypted in transit and whether any metadata is logged server‑side by either Microsoft or your organization’s cloud services.
• Verify cross‑device authentication flows for SSO in your environment; require conditional access testing before broadly enabling Resume for enterprise users.
• Audit which OEM devices in your fleet support Link to Windows updates and the Continuity SDK prerequisites; plan targeted pilot groups rather than forcing a blanket roll‑out.
• Encourage employees to use full‑device encryption and strong lockscreen policies; Resume increases convenience, and convenience must not supersede corporate security controls.

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How Microsoft should proceed — a short critique​

Microsoft’s engineering choices are pragmatic and well‑designed for heterogeneity: the AppContext model, native handler preference, and WNS fallback are all sensible. But the company faces three strategietwork effects.** Limited Access onboarding and OEM dependency mean the feature will take months or longer to reach meaningful breadth. Without rapid expansion, the feature risks being perceived as a gimmick.

• User confusion. Mixed handler experiences, conditional access interruptions, and fallback browser flows can create inconsistent, confusing behavior for everyday users. Clear UI messaging and robust error handling are essential.
• Privacy expectations. Microsoft must publish clear privacy documentation about AppContext lifetimes, telemetry, and whether any resume metadata persists beyond the ephemeral handshake. Without that transparency, adoption — especially in enterprise — will be cautious.

If Microsoft addresses these through public docs, faster partner onboarding, and stronger enterprise controls, Resume could become a durable productivity feature.

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Verdict: readiness and near‑term expectations​

Cross‑Device Resume’s move into Release Preview marks a meaningful inflection point: this is not a vapor demo anymore. The functionality in builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701 demonstrates a practical, extensible model for Android→h specific wins (Spotify, Copilot files, browser tabs) that address day‑to‑day workflows. However, it remains gated, OEM‑dependent, and partial in scope. Enthusiasts and administrators should test carefully, weigh privacy plications, and treat the feature as a promising, early‑stage continuity layer rather than finished parity with Apple’s Handoff.

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Quick reference: what to do next​

• If you’re a Windows user: join the Release Preview Channel, update Link to Windows on your Android phone, and enable mobile device access on your PC to try Resume when the feature is gated for your account. Expect progressive availability.
• If you’re an app developer: evaluate the WNS route for low‑friction integration, and apply for Continuity SDK access if you need richer, native behavior. Prepare identity and sessevice continuity.
• If you manage devices for an organization: pilot Resume with a small user group and validate conditional access behavior and offline content handling before wide deployment.

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Microsoft’s Cross‑Device Resume is a solid, pragmatic design for real‑world device continuity — and the Release Preview appearance is the clearest sign yet that Windows 11’s handoff ambitions are moving from demos into everyday workflows. The next six months will determine whether Microsoft can widen partner adoption fast enough to make resume a routine convenience for the average Windows‑Android user, or whether the feature settles into a useful but niche capability limited by gating and fragmentation.

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Source: 9to5Google Windows 11 will support resuming Spotify, web browsing, and other apps from Android

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft has quietly moved one of Windows 11’s most promising continuity features out of experiment mode and into the Release Preview channel — and for Android users that shift brings a meaningful, practical expansion of what “resume on PC” actually means.

Background / Overview​

Microsoft first introduced the concept now marketed as Cross‑Device Resume in mid‑2025 as a limited file‑handoff experience; the idea was simple: if you opened a document on your phone, Windows might offer a quick way to pick it up on your PC. That early version was narrow and heavily dependent on OneDrive and timing windows. The Release Preview builds pushed to Insiders on January 27, 2026 now broaden thaeight, metadata‑driven continuity layer that supports real app activities — not just cloud files.
In practical terms, Microsoft packaged these changes into the cumulative update delivered as KB5074105 for Windows 11 versions 24H2 (Build 26100) and 25H2 (Build 26200), with specific Release Preview builds id01 and 26200.7701. The company lists Cross‑Device Resume explicitly in its Release Preview notes and classifies it as a gradual rollout** — meaning the feature will be server‑gated and appear for devices and accounts over time.

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What’s new in this Cross‑Device Resume update​

The headline scenarios​

Microsoft’s official release notes and the early coverage from independent outlets converge on the first practical resume targets:

• Resume Spotify playback: Start a track or podcast on a linked Android phone and continue playback on the PC. If the desktop Spotify client is missing, Windows will offer a one‑click install flow from the Microsoft Store.
• Resume Microsoft 365 documents opened in Copilot mobile: If you opened a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file in the Microsoft Copilot mobile app on a supported phone, you can now pick that file up on your Windows PC. The OS will prefer the native desktop Office app if installed and otherwise use the browser fallback. Microsoft specifically calls out OEM partnerships (HONOR, OPPO, Samsung, Vivo, Xiaomi and others) for this scenario.
• Continue browsing sessions: Certain Android browsers can hand an active browsing session to your PC so you can continue the tab in the PC’s default browser. Microsoft’s notes reference browsing sessions in general, and reporting has highlighted Vivo Browser as an early example. The release notes do not unambiguously name the PC handler as Edge; the runtime target is described as the default browser or the “corresponding desktop handler.” s://9to5google.com/2026/01/28/windows-11-android-cross-device-resume-spotify-office-browsing/)

These additions move Cross‑Device Resume from a novelty trick into useful, day‑to‑day continuity for music, work documents, and browsing contexts — precisely the scenarios users ask for when they want to reduce friction between phone and PC.

Why this rollout matters now​

There are two strategic reasons this update is significant:

• It shifts the architecture from a OneDrive/timer-based model to a metadata handoff approach that maps a phone activity to the best desktop handler — a native app if present, or a browser fallback if not. That keeps the desktop experiestreaming or emulating the mobile UI on Windows.
• Microsoft added a second integration path for developers: besides the Continuity SDK, apps can now trigger resume affordances via Windows Push Notification Service (WNS) or server‑side push notifications. That lowers integration friction and makes it easier for third‑party apps and services to adop

How Cross‑Device Resume works (technical breakdown)​

AppContext: the metadata handshake​

At the center of Resume is a compact metadata payload often called stead of moving a running app or streaming a UI, the phone sends a short descriptor that contains:

• a context identifier and short lifetime,
• a deep link or public URL pointing to the content or document,
• a short title/preview and any minimal preview bytes.

Windows consumes that descriptor and resolves a desktop handler that can open the same content or continue the activity. This is deliberately lightweight, minimizes bandwidth and privacy surface area, and keeps the PC experience native.

Delivery channels: Continuity SDK vs WNS​

There are two practical ways apps can make themselves resumeable:

• Integrate Microsoft’s Continuity SDK and use Link to Windows to publish AppContext payloads directly from the device.
• Use a server‑side WNS raw notification route (the lower‑friction option) so backends that already push notifications can post resume payloads to Windows without shipping a heavy mobile SDK.

Microsoft retains gating and approval (Limited Access Feature onboarding) to prevent misuse.

Preconditions and limits​

• Phone must be linked to the PC via Link to Windows (or OEM packaged Link to Windows integration) and the user must be online.
• The content must be reachable from the PC (cloud‑based or served via a link). **Offline‑only files stored exclusively on the phone are ogs.win
• Availability is server‑gated: installing KB5074105 alone does not guarantee immediate feature visibility — Microsoft will flip the feature on per region, user, and device.

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Practical steps: how to try Cross‑Device Resume today​

If you want to pilot the feature on a qualifying Windows device and Android phone, follow these steps:

• Join the Windows Insider program and switch your PC to the Release Preview Channel.
• Install the cumulative update KB5074105 (you’ll get Builds 26100.7701 or 26200.7701 depending on your installed Windows 11 version).
• On yoall and sign into Link to Windows (or ensure your OEM’s Link to Windows integration is configured).
• Sign into the relevant apps on your phone (Spotify, Microsoft Copilot mobile, supported browser) and ensure they’re allowed to run in the background and send notifications.
• Start a supported activity on the phone (play music, open a Copilot online document, or load a page), then watch your PC taskbar for a small phone‑badged resume icon or toast. Clision on the PC.

Troubleshooting tips:

• If a resume prompt suggests installing the desktop app (e.g., Spotify), allow the one‑click Microsoft Store flow and sign in so the native handler can be used.
• Ensure privacy settings allow Link to Windows and that Focus Assist or notification blockers aren’t hiding resume toasts.
• Expect variation by OEM, app, the controlled feature rollout.

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Strengths: where Microsoft got this right​

• Native desktop fidelity: Mapping a phone activity to a desktop app/handler preserves the native Windows experience and avoids brittle emulation of Android UI.
• Lowered developer friction: The WNS route enables rapid adoption by apps that already use server push, which is crucial for ecosystem scale.
• Practical first‑party targets: Spotify and Microsothe right initial targets — users value seamless music continuation and document workflows far more than toy demos.
• Gradual rollout discipline: Using server‑gated controlled feature rollout reduces risk and allows Microsoft to gather telemetry before broad exposure.

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Risks, gaps and privacy considerations​

While the feature is promising, there are important areas that merit caution:

• Privacy surface: AppContext packets reveal what you’re doing (app, document title, URL preview). Microsoft asserts short lifetimes for these descriptors, but administrators and privacy‑conscious users should ask what metadata is transmitted and how long it’s retained. Enterprises should assess logging and compliance impacts.
• Phishing and spoofing risk: The resume affordance appears as a small taskbar icon or toast. If a malicious app or a compromised notification system sent misleading AppContext payloads, a user could be tricked into opening an unexpected link or instang and LAF process are designed to mitigate this, but vigilance is warranted.
• Dependency on cloud/backends: Offline content on the phone is excluded. That’s a pragmatic decision but a limitation for users with local‑only files or enterprise data that cannot be synced to cloud endpoints.
• Installer friction in managed environments: The one‑click Microsoft Store install flow (e.g., for Spotify) could be blocked by IT policies; admins should plan app‑install rules if they want users to experience resume seamlessly.
• Device and OEM fragmentation: Microsoft’s notes and reporting list particular OEMs and browsers for early support (Samsung, Vivo, HONOR, OPPO, Xiaomi and Vivo Browser examples). That means your mileage will vary by phone model and vendor cooperation.

Where claims were unclear or not fully specified:

• Microsoft’s blog says “continue a browsing session” but does not explicitly name Edge as the PC target; reporting suggests the PC fallback is the default brEdge or another browser depending on user defaults. Treat claims about specific browser names as likely but not fully specified until Microsoft clarifies in a follow‑up.

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Guidance for IT administrators and security teams​

• Evaluate the privacy and data‑flow implications before enabling a broad rollout: insist on clear documentation from Microsoft about what metadata is transmitted and whst the feature on a limited pilot population using the Release Preview Channel before allowing wide deployment.
• Review Microsoft Store and app install policies to avoid blocked one‑click installs for native handlers that the resume flow expects.
• Consider Group Policy or Intune controls that limit Link to Windows pairing and notification permissions for managed devices to avoid unexpected resume prompts in sensitive contexts.

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Developer and OEM perspective: why cooperation matters​

For Cross‑Device Resume to scale beyond headline demos, three parties mpp developers** must adopt either the Continuity SDK or the WNS route and pass Microsoft’s Limited Access Feature checks.

• OEMs must implement and support Link to Windows integrations and ensure their browsers or system components can produce AppContext payloads responsibly.
• Microsoft must continue to document the AppContext schema, provide clear onboarding and security review for partners, and publish guidelines for privacy and access controls.

The introduction of a WNS path is a pragmatic accelerator: many apps already use server push, so enabling resume via the server channel short‑circuits heavyweight client integration. That should speed adoption, provided Microsoft’s approval gates remain robust.

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Real‑world expectations: what will (and won’t) feel magical​

What will feel smooth:

• Picking up Spotify playback in a few seconds after you shift from phone to PC, especially if the desktop client is installed or the Store install is allowed.
• Opening a Copilot mobile online document and instantly resuming it in Word on the PC when the file is cloud‑backed.

What won’t be seamless initially:

• Hando offline files will not work.
• Availability will be staggered and server‑gated; you may have to wait for Microsoft to enable the feature for your account/device pairing.
• Some OEMs and apps will likely lag in support, producing spotty cross‑device coverage for the first months.

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How Microsoft could improve this feature (and what to watch for)​

• Publish explicit, machine‑readable AppContext privacy specifications and an audit trail detailing what metadata is transmitted and retained.
• Provide enterprise controls to limit resume capabilities by group, OU, or device class in Intune and Group Policy.
• Open telemetry and diagnostics so admins can see resume events and investigate suspicious handoffs.
• Expand and publish the list of supported OEMs and browsers (and the exact PC handler behavior) so users know what to expect.

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Final analysis and outlook​

The Release Preview appearance of Cross‑Device Resume in KB5074105 is an important practical step for Windows 11’s cross‑device strategy. Microsoft has traded the complexity of fully running Android apps on Windows for a lightweight, native‑handler model that respects desktop expectations and reduces engineering friction. For users, the first scenarios — Spotify, Microsoft 365 documents in Copilot mobile, and browser tab handoff — are pragmatic and valuable. For enterprises and privacy‑conscious users, the tradeoffs are manageable but deserve scrutiny: metadata handling, gating mechanisms, and installer policies will determine whether the feature is an unalloyed productivity win or a governance headache.
If Microsoft executes the onboarding and security review processes well and OEMs adopt the lower‑friction WNS route, Cross‑Device Resume could become one of those small, daily conveniences that add up to a significantly smoother Android‑to‑Windows workflow. For now, Insiders and early adopters should pilot KB5074105 on a limited set of devices, report telemetry via the Feedback Hub, and prepare enterprise policies so that when the feature flips broadly, IT and end users alike reap the benefit without surprise.

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Source: Android Central Windows 11 is making Cross-Device Resume better for our Android phones