Windows 11’s Handoff clone is almost here — Pick up where you left off on your Android phone

Users of Windows 11 can anticipate a smooth transition in which apps from their Android devices will be able to continue where they left off on their computers. Recently, Microsoft rolled out an Insider build of Windows 11 incorporating the feature known as Cross-Device Resume.

For Windows Insiders in the Developer or Beta channels, there might be an option appearing for you to continue playing a Spotify song on your computer. Keep in mind that this feature is being gradually introduced, so it may not show up yet even if you’re part of the Dev or Beta channels.

Throughout my lifetime, I’ve been a Windows user, but with the demise of the Windows Phone, my smartphones now operate on Android. Both these operating systems serve me well, yet at times, I find myself yearning for the seamless experience that the Apple ecosystem offers.

Embracing Apple’s software and hardware entirely makes it feel as though your devices form a seamless whole, functioning almost as one integrated system. While Microsoft has made significant efforts to mirror this cohesion, there still remain some discrepancies.

Microsoft offers multiple methods for connecting devices across various platforms such as OneDrive, Microsoft Edge, and Link to Windows. If you own both a Samsung phone and laptop, you’ll benefit from additional connections. The recently introduced Cross Device Resume function further enhances this concept.

Alongside enhancing the battery icon on the lock screen, the latest Windows 11 Build 26200.5761 also incorporates these improvements in battery management, as detailed by Microsoft.

Windows 11 Build 26200.5761: Changes and Improvements

Click to Do (Preview)

The following changes and improvements are rolling out for Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs:

  • By pressing and holding two fingers anywhere on your screen (on your Copilot+ PC with a touch screen), you can simultaneously launch Click to Do, select the entity under your finger and see relevant actions. This new invocation method provides the ability to use touch with an accelerated entry point into Click to Do, like Win + Click when using a mouse or touchpad today.

Agent in Settings

The following changes and improvements are rolling out for agent in Settings on Copilot+ PCs:

  • We now provide a direct navigation link to the corresponding settings page from the agent search results.

Automatic Super Resolution

New enhancements and upgrades are being introduced for the Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) feature on personal computers equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, specifically the Copilot+ models.

  • We have simplified the settings controls and added streamlined ways to configure Auto SR directly from toast notifications.

Input

  • We’re adding a new keyboard shortcut to make it easier for you to insert an En dash (–) or Em dash (—) while typing anywhere in Windows. Going forward, pressing WIN + Minus (-) will insert En dash, and WIN + Shift + Minus (-) will insert Em dash. Note – if you have Magnifier running, WIN + Minus (-) will still zoom out Magnifier, rather than inserting an En dash.

Windows Share

  • In the last few Dev and Beta flights, we have begun trying out the ability to pin your favorite apps in the Windows share window.

Windows 11’s Handoff clone

For some time now, Microsoft has been privately experimenting with this specific function, but it wasn’t often discussed openly. In February, Microsoft began secretly testing the option to continue working on OneDrive files directly from your computer. This feature has just been rolled out for Windows 11 users.

During the Build 2025 event, a tech giant hosted a discussion named “Crafting Unified Multi-Device App Experiences with Windows”. Remarkably, this session was later taken down, yet a user with the handle @phantomofearth successfully captured a screenshot of it prior to its deletion.

The Coss Device Resume function seamlessly connects your mobile device with your computer, enabling you to continue tasks from where you last stopped. Initially designed for OneDrive files, this capability is soon going to extend to additional applications as well.

I must admit, I’m puzzled as to why Microsoft opted for Spotify to showcase this new feature. After all, Spotify itself offers smooth cross-device playback through its integrated features.

It seems that Cross Device Resume is a capability offered by operating systems, which developers can incorporate into their apps when such features are absent. Showcasing this functionality within a real app would have made the explanation more effective.

As the feature is novel, it’s reasonable to anticipate that more developers will start using it as time goes by. Microsoft encourages developers to incorporate Cross Device Resume within their apps, as detailed in a blog post on its Windows Insider platform. The company has also shared a guide on how to integrate it and offered resources for developers.

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2025-08-27 15:40