Microsoft might’ve ditched Android apps in Windows 11 a couple of years ago, but that doesn’t mean it’s abandoned cross-platform support altogether. A new update is making it easier to resume mobile apps on your PC, but only with a select group of services for the time being.
Microsoft began bringing “Cross-Device Resume” functionality to Windows 11 last May, but since its arrival, it’s been limited to OneDrive. The tool previously allowed supported files (like Word documents) to be viewed or edited on your PC by clicking on a notification if you interacted with the document within the last five minutes. This tool worked on both Android and iOS, but today’s long-awaited expansion is solely for Android users.
Starting with Windows 11 builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701, which are now rolling out to the Release Preview Channel, Cross-Device Resume now supports a handful of additional apps, including Spotify, Microsoft’s Office suite of apps, and Edge browsing sessions (via The Verge). Vivo’s in-house Vivo Browser is also supported, as are files opened in Copilot on your phone on devices from Samsung, Honor, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi.
It’s good to see Microsoft continuing to improve this feature since its initial rollout with additional app support, although obviously, the company has a long way to go until it can match parity with Apple’s walled garden ecosystem. Even Spotify, an obvious win for Windows and Android users, feels a little deflated purely based on the strength of Spotify Connect. Still, with any luck, there’s more to come in terms of app features. Perhaps Google and Microsoft can find a way to get first-party apps like Chrome syncing between devices. After all, the two brands do have a history of partnering together on initiatives like this.
Until these upgrades are pushed on Microsoft’s public channel, you’ll need to be part of the Windows Insider program to check them out. It’s also on the company’s “gradual rollout” plan, so not everyone will have immediate access to Cross-Device Resume. A public launch should arrive in the coming weeks.
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