Windows 11 Prepares New Cross-Device Resume Feature, Letting You Continue Mobile Tasks Instantly on PC
Windows 11 Prepares New Cross-Device Resume Feature, Letting You Continue Mobile Tasks Instantly on PC
Microsoft is preparing to significantly improve cross-device workflows by advancing its Cross-Device Resume feature in Windows 11. The upcoming update allows users to instantly continue tasks that were left unfinished on an Android smartphone directly on their computer. After being quietly tested since last year, this marks a major expansion in both functionality and supported applications.
One of the key highlights of this update is the ability to resume Spotify playback on a PC from the exact point where it was paused on a smartphone. In addition, recently viewed or edited Microsoft Office documents such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can be reopened on a laptop with a single click. The feature also supports resuming web pages from Microsoft Edge on mobile, allowing users to continue reading seamlessly on a larger screen.
Moving Closer to an Apple Handoff Experience
The concept behind Cross-Device Resume closely mirrors Apple’s Handoff, which enables smooth transitions between iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. Microsoft officially released this update to users in the Release Preview Channel on January 28, 2026, representing the final testing phase before a broader public rollout in the near future.
Additional Improvements in the Latest Update
Beyond cross-device app switching, the update introduces several other notable enhancements. These include support for the MIDI 2.0 standard aimed at music creators, improved voice typing performance, and enhanced security through fingerprint authentication via Windows Hello for Copilot Plus PC users. Microsoft is also expanding language support, adding options such as Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Japanese.
Requirements and Device Compatibility
To use Cross-Device Resume, both the smartphone and the PC must be signed in with the same Microsoft account and connected through the Link to Windows application. Devices from partner brands such as Samsung, Honor, OPPO, and Xiaomi are expected to benefit from deeper integration. This includes faster access to cloud files through Copilot, which can seamlessly interact with locally installed PC applications.
While the feature is currently limited to testing users, Microsoft’s strong push in this direction highlights a broader shift in modern operating systems. Performance alone is no longer the main battleground. Convenience, continuity, and cross-platform usability are now the key factors shaping the future of computing.
Source: The Verge
