Windows and Android will soon communicate Apple Handoff-style with each other

Microsoft is rolling out a Cross Device Resume feature that lets Windows 11 pick up Spotify playback from a linked Android phone. Let’s dive into how you can use it.

Microsoft continues cosying Android up with Windows

The feature works like this. Play a song or podcast on Spotify for Android and a small Resume alert will appear on the Windows taskbar. Clicking that alert opens Spotify for Windows and continues the exact track or episode at the same timestamp. If Spotify is not installed on the PC the alert triggers a one click install from the Microsoft Store and then prompts you to sign in so playback can continue seamlessly.

Microsoft is starting the rollout slowly to Windows Insiders while encouraging app makers to add their own Resume hooks.

Getting set up takes just a few toggles. On Windows go to Settings then Bluetooth and devices then Mobile devices and switch on Allow this PC to access your mobile devices. Next connect your Android using the Link to Windows app and allow it to run in the background on your phone. You also need to use the same Spotify account on both devices for the handoff to work.

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It’s worth mentioning that Spotify does already include cross-device playback functionality, allowing you to resume playback from your phone on your laptop and vice versa. However, Microsoft’s Cross Device Resume clearly has generic plumbing, so other apps should follow once developers add support.

This feels like the sort of small convenience that ends up being strangely addictive. It removes one more tiny friction point between phone and PC and it shows Microsoft treating Android continuity as a core part of Windows rather than an optional extra.

If you run Insider builds you can try it now and if you prefer to wait the feature should be rolling out to more people over time.