Microsoft is quietly testing a new cross‑device capability in Windows 11 that lets you resume activity from an Android phone directly on your PC — initially for Spotify playback — and the feature is rolling out to selected Windows Insiders as a staged test in the latest Dev and Beta preview builds.
Microsoft’s new cross‑device “Resume” capability (often described in coverage as a Handoff‑like experience) appeared in recent Insider preview notes for Build 26120.5761 / 26200.5761 (KB5064093) and is positioned as a gradual, telemetry‑gated rollout to Dev and Beta Channel Insiders. The company highlights a simple, low‑risk scenario to prove the concept: start playback in the Spotify Android app, unlock a paired Windows 11 PC, and a taskbar “Resume” alert appears that opens Spotify on the PC and continues playback from the same timestamp. The Windows Insider blog provides setup steps and explicitly lists the prerequisites: enable phone access on the PC, pair via Link to Windows, allow the Link to Windows app to run in the background on the phone, and use the same Spotify account on both devices.
Independent reporting confirms Microsoft demonstrated this cross‑device resume at Build 2025 and that early public demos were later removed from the official video, underscoring how early and experimental the feature remains. (laptopmag.com, greenbot.com)
The Spotify use case is a smart engineering choice: media playback state is easy to capture and synchronize, a large user base will exercise the flow quickly, and the risk surface (playing audio) is small compared to synchronizing unsaved drafts or authenticated documents. Microsoft’s initial public demo was at Build 2025 and press reports captured the behavior, but the demo was edited out of the official recording — a typical sign that the feature is still being refined. (greenbot.com, theverge.com)
A cautionary note: Microsoft’s long‑running experiments with Android on Windows — including the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) and Amazon Appstore distribution — were previously announced for deprecation. That historical context complicates long‑term conclusions about broad Android integration on Windows; the current resume test is promising, but not a guarantee of a full re‑commitment to the old WSA model. Treat statements about future app coverage and timing as speculative until Microsoft publishes a formal shipping plan.
However, meaningful caveats remain: the feature is experimental, rollout is staged and selective, the long‑term story for Android apps on Windows is not fully resolved, and privacy/enterprise controls will determine whether Resume scales beyond convenient single‑user media scenarios. For now, Resume is worth watching closely — and trying for Insiders — but it should be treated as an early, promising experiment rather than a finished Microsoft platform commitment.
Source: The Verge Microsoft tests letting you resume Android apps on Windows 11
Source: Thurrott.com Windows 11 is Getting the Ability to Resume Activity From Android Apps
Background / Overview
Microsoft’s new cross‑device “Resume” capability (often described in coverage as a Handoff‑like experience) appeared in recent Insider preview notes for Build 26120.5761 / 26200.5761 (KB5064093) and is positioned as a gradual, telemetry‑gated rollout to Dev and Beta Channel Insiders. The company highlights a simple, low‑risk scenario to prove the concept: start playback in the Spotify Android app, unlock a paired Windows 11 PC, and a taskbar “Resume” alert appears that opens Spotify on the PC and continues playback from the same timestamp. The Windows Insider blog provides setup steps and explicitly lists the prerequisites: enable phone access on the PC, pair via Link to Windows, allow the Link to Windows app to run in the background on the phone, and use the same Spotify account on both devices. Independent reporting confirms Microsoft demonstrated this cross‑device resume at Build 2025 and that early public demos were later removed from the official video, underscoring how early and experimental the feature remains. (laptopmag.com, greenbot.com)
What Microsoft shipped (and how it works)
The concrete feature set in the preview
- Taskbar Resume alert: When an eligible Android app (Spotify, in the initial rollout) is active on a paired phone, Windows 11 may show a “Resume” alert on the PC taskbar indicating the option to continue on the desktop.
- One‑click install path: If the corresponding desktop app is not installed on the PC, clicking the Resume alert can trigger a one‑click Microsoft Store install and then resume the session after signing in.
- Developer API: Microsoft is exposing a Resume API so third‑party apps can opt in and provide richer resume semantics beyond simple playback. The company invites app developers to integrate with Resume.
- Requirements (practical limits): The flow requires Link to Windows pairing, background permissions for the Link to Windows app on Android, and the same account (Spotify example) signed in on both phone and PC. The rollout is staged — not every Insider will see it immediately.
Setup steps (as Microsoft documents them)
- On the PC: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices → turn on “Allow this PC to access your mobile devices,” then click Manage devices and pair your Android phone.
- On Android: Open Link to Windows (Phone Link) and grant background permission so the app can report active sessions to the PC.
- Start the scenario: play a Spotify track on the phone; look for the Resume alert on the PC and click to continue on the desktop Spotify app.
Why Microsoft is taking this measured approach
Microsoft’s multi‑year history experimenting with Android on Windows (the Windows Subsystem for Android, Amazon Appstore partnership and subsequent deprecation) left the company and the ecosystem with competing expectations. That history explains the cautious, staged rollout approach for Resume: the company can test telemetry, surface compatibility issues, and collect privacy/security feedback without pushing a platform‑wide change. The recent Insider notes repeatedly emphasize gradual, toggle‑gated delivery and request Feedback Hub reports from Insiders.The Spotify use case is a smart engineering choice: media playback state is easy to capture and synchronize, a large user base will exercise the flow quickly, and the risk surface (playing audio) is small compared to synchronizing unsaved drafts or authenticated documents. Microsoft’s initial public demo was at Build 2025 and press reports captured the behavior, but the demo was edited out of the official recording — a typical sign that the feature is still being refined. (greenbot.com, theverge.com)
Technical anatomy and constraints
Under the hood (what’s likely happening)
- Link to Windows as the control plane: The PC‑phone pairing and background reporting rely on Link to Windows (Phone Link) as the connection and telemetry surface. The blog post and coverage confirm Link to Windows is central to the setup. (blogs.windows.com, windowsforum.com)
- Account binding and app awareness: Resume requires the same account on both endpoints (Spotify in the demo). That constraint simplifies trust and authorization: the PC can only claim to resume an app when the cloud‑side identity matches.
- App participation via API: Microsoft’s invitation to developers indicates Resume isn’t a hardwired system behavior — apps will need to opt in and declare resume semantics (what state to capture and how to restore it). That means only apps that integrate will get the full experience.
Known limitations and open questions
- Which app states are supported? The initial demo is media/playback. Microsoft hasn’t committed to complex app states (unsaved drafts, active editing sessions) yet, and developing that reliably across Android app implementations is nontrivial. This is an engineering and privacy challenge.
- Does this require a desktop equivalent? The flow works cleanly when the app has a desktop counterpart (Spotify desktop app). Behavior for apps that only exist in Android (or those without a Windows client) is unclear and likely limited.
- Platform continuity vs. Appstore fragmentation: Earlier Windows Android efforts used the Amazon Appstore and WSA; Microsoft announced the deprecation of WSA and Amazon Appstore support earlier, which complicates the longer‑term story for Android apps on Windows. Any broadening of Resume beyond a narrow set of apps will require clarity about how Android apps are distributed on Windows going forward.
The benefits: why this matters to users and Microsoft
- Familiar convenience: For users who switch devices frequently, seamless continuity is a clear productivity win. Resuming playback, continuing a navigation, or picking up a conversation without manual re‑search saves time and reduces friction. The Spotify example is instantly understandable and practical. (theverge.com, blogs.windows.com)
- Developer opportunity: The Resume API gives apps a chance to create richer cross‑device flows, making Windows a meaningful second screen for Android apps that matter to users. For developers, integration could boost engagement and drive installs on desktop via the one‑click store prompt.
- Strategic alignment: Resume fits neatly into Microsoft’s broader cross‑device narrative — Link to Windows refreshes, Copilot‑era ergonomics, and a Windows experience that feels more integrated with mobile devices. These small wins add up in perception and utility.
The risks and tradeoffs — what to watch closely
Privacy and security concerns
- Background monitoring: Resume requires Link to Windows to run in the background and report app activity. Users may be sensitive about a phone app reporting active sessions and content context to a PC, even if only high‑level metadata is transmitted. Microsoft will need to be explicit about what is shared, how long metadata is retained, and how to opt out.
- Account linking and spoofing risk: The model relies on matching accounts between phone and PC. That dependency reduces impersonation risk, but the larger attack surface is social engineering or unauthorized pairing of devices if pairing controls aren’t robustly enforced. Enterprises in particular will scrutinize pairing controls and auditability.
Fragmentation and future support questions
- WSA deprecation context: Microsoft previously announced a deprecation timeline for the Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore on Windows; until the company clarifies distribution and runtime strategy for Android content on Windows, developer investment in deep resume integration may be tentative. This history raises uncertainty about whether a full cross‑device Android strategy will be sustained.
- Inconsistent user experience: Because the rollout is telemetry gated, two users with similar PCs may see different behaviors. That inconsistency can confuse users and generate support volume if the feature appears and disappears across updates. Microsoft’s controlled rollout model mitigates large‑scale regressions but increases immediate variability.
Enterprise and compliance implications
- Data residency and logging: Enterprises often require strict control over where telemetry and synced metadata are stored. Resume will need clear enterprise‑grade controls to disable pairing, block Link to Windows, or limit which apps can publish resume points. Admin controls and Group Policy or MDM policy support will be important for mass deployments.
How to try it today (for Insiders)
- Join the Windows Insider program and opt into the Dev or Beta Channel. Ensure your PC is updated to the preview build that includes the staged Resume capability (Build 26120.5761 / 26200.5761 as documented).
- In Windows 11 on the PC: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices → enable “Allow this PC to access your mobile devices,” then pair your Android phone via Manage devices.
- On your Android phone: install or update Link to Windows (Phone Link), sign in, and give the app permission to run in the background.
- Open Spotify on the phone, play a track or episode, then look for the Resume alert on the PC taskbar. Click the alert to continue playback on the desktop Spotify app (or follow the one‑click install prompt if needed).
Guidance for developers: integrating Resume
- Opt in to Resume API: Microsoft has invited developers to adopt the Resume API. Early adopters should design resume semantics carefully: capture normalized state (playback position, conversation ID, document URI) and ensure resumption is robust under authentication changes.
- Design for privacy: Implement least‑privilege state sharing. Avoid transmitting sensitive content or PII as resume metadata. Consider user controls to disable or limit resume triggers per app. Resuming a song is one thing; resuming a half‑composed message is another.
- Handle the install path gracefully: If users click a Resume alert and the desktop app is not installed, the one‑click Microsoft Store install is a powerful conversion funnel — ensure post‑install sign‑in and state restoration are seamless to avoid churn.
Cross‑reference and verification notes
Multiple independent outlets and the Windows Insider blog corroborate the core facts reported here: the feature is being tested in Dev/Beta preview builds, Spotify is the initial scenario, the taskbar Resume alert and one‑click install path are present in build notes, and Link to Windows is required. These details are documented in the Windows Insider announcement and independently reported by major outlets that tracked the Build demo and the early Insider appearance. Where Microsoft’s blog provides setup steps and explicit requirements, press coverage captured context (Build demo removal, Handoff comparisons) that Microsoft’s public blog did not emphasize. (blogs.windows.com, theverge.com, greenbot.com)A cautionary note: Microsoft’s long‑running experiments with Android on Windows — including the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) and Amazon Appstore distribution — were previously announced for deprecation. That historical context complicates long‑term conclusions about broad Android integration on Windows; the current resume test is promising, but not a guarantee of a full re‑commitment to the old WSA model. Treat statements about future app coverage and timing as speculative until Microsoft publishes a formal shipping plan.
Editorial analysis: what this likely means for the Windows ecosystem
Strengths
- Low‑friction, high‑signal test case. Spotify is ubiquitous and the playback resume scenario removes many technical and privacy headaches that more complex app states would introduce. This is a pragmatic way to validate the UX and telemetry assumptions.
- Developer‑first integration path. The Resume API shows Microsoft intends this to be an app‑level capability rather than a brittle system hack. That increases the chance of robust, nuanced integrations rather than one‑off behaviors.
- Tactical ecosystem alignment. Resume fits many of Microsoft’s ongoing initiatives — Link to Windows refresh, Copilot‑era ergonomics, and a general push for better cross‑device experiences — which raises the feature’s strategic weight beyond a single media scenario.
Weaknesses and open risks
- Unclear runtime/distribution roadmap for Android apps. Until Microsoft clarifies whether a WSA‑like runtime or alternate distribution will become the long‑term approach, developer investment may be cautious. The deprecation history is a real friction point.
- Fragmented rollout and user confusion. Staged, telemetry‑gated rollouts reduce risk but create inconsistent experiences across PCs — a known pain point for Insiders and early adopters.
- Privacy surface. Background reporting of phone activity to a PC — even if limited to metadata — requires transparent user controls, audit logs, and enterprise policy support to be broadly acceptable.
Bottom line
Microsoft’s cross‑device Resume experiment is a tangible step toward the kind of device continuity Apple users have long enjoyed. The initial Spotify scenario is a pragmatic, low‑risk proving ground that demonstrates what a broader Handoff‑style capability could look like on Windows 11. The Windows Insider build notes are explicit about setup and constraints, and major outlets have independently confirmed the behavior observed in previews. (blogs.windows.com, theverge.com)However, meaningful caveats remain: the feature is experimental, rollout is staged and selective, the long‑term story for Android apps on Windows is not fully resolved, and privacy/enterprise controls will determine whether Resume scales beyond convenient single‑user media scenarios. For now, Resume is worth watching closely — and trying for Insiders — but it should be treated as an early, promising experiment rather than a finished Microsoft platform commitment.
Quick checklist for readers
- To try Resume: join Insiders (Dev/Beta) and install Build 26120.5761 / 26200.5761; enable phone access in Settings and pair via Link to Windows; allow Link to Windows to run in the background on Android; sign into the same app account on both devices.
- If you care about enterprise policy: verify whether your org’s MDM can block Link to Windows pairing or control device pairing policies before enabling this for corporate devices.
- If you’re a developer: evaluate the Resume API for your app scenarios, prioritize privacy‑safe metadata, and test the desktop install + state restore flow to ensure high conversion and low friction.
Source: The Verge Microsoft tests letting you resume Android apps on Windows 11
Source: Thurrott.com Windows 11 is Getting the Ability to Resume Activity From Android Apps
