Microsoft is testing a new feature in Windows 11 that lets you pick up where you left off on your Android phone and continue straight on your computer. The idea will sound familiar because Apple users have had Handoff for years, but this time it is Windows and Android getting closer together. At the moment, the capability is rolling out to members of the Windows Insider Program in the Canary and Dev Channels, which suggests a broader release may not be too far away.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft is working on a new feature called “Continue on PC” for Windows 11.
- It allows you to transfer tasks like copying text or viewing photos from your Android phone to your PC.
- The feature works through the Phone Link app on Windows and the Link to Windows app on Android.
- Right now, it is only available to Windows Insiders.
A more connected experience
Apple users have long enjoyed being able to start something on one device and continue it almost instantly on another. It is convenient and seamless enough that you do not think twice about it. Microsoft is now aiming to bring that kind of continuity between Windows PCs and Android phones. The feature comes as part of an update to the Phone Link app, which has slowly been expanding its role for several years.
Here is how it works. When you are doing a supported task on your Android device, such as copying a snippet of text or opening a photo, your Windows 11 PC will display a notification. That notification asks if you would like to continue the activity on your computer. Copy text on your phone, and it shows up ready to paste on your PC. Open a picture on your phone, and the Photos app on Windows may launch with that same image. It is a small addition, but in everyday use it could prove surprisingly handy.
Under the hood, the feature relies on both the Phone Link app for Windows and the Link to Windows app on Android. To make it work, you will need to turn it on in the Phone Link settings. This move is another step in Microsoft’s broader effort to close the gap with Apple, which has long had the upper hand by tightly controlling both its hardware and software. Windows does not control Android in the same way, but this kind of integration is Microsoft’s best chance to bridge the difference.
How to get it
Right now the feature is still in testing. It is part of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3790, and only people enrolled in the Insider Program’s Canary and Dev channels can try it. Microsoft regularly uses this group to test features before they reach the wider public.
There is no official timeline for when everyone will get access, but features tested in Insider builds often make their way into future Windows updates. At the very least, this development shows Microsoft is serious about breaking down the walls between computers and smartphones. It may never feel as polished as Apple’s ecosystem, but for people who use both Windows PCs and Android phones, it could make day-to-day tasks noticeably smoother.
Related FAQs
Q. What is this new Windows 11 feature?
A. It is a new capability, reportedly called “Continue on PC,” that allows you to resume activities from your Android phone directly on your Windows 11 computer.
Q. How does this compare to Apple’s Handoff?
A. It is very similar. Apple’s Handoff lets you switch between an iPhone, iPad, and Mac while working on the same task. Microsoft’s version aims to do the same for Android phones and Windows PCs.
Q. When will this feature be available for everyone?
A. Microsoft has not announced an official release date. It is currently being tested with Windows Insiders, which usually happens a few months before a public release.
Q. What do I need to use this feature?
A. You will need a Windows 11 PC running a future update, the Phone Link app, an Android phone, and the Link to Windows app installed on your phone. You will also need to link your phone and PC.
Q. Will this work with an iPhone?
A. No, this feature is designed to work only with Android phones through the Link to Windows app. iPhone connectivity with Windows via Phone Link is limited to basic functions like calls and messages.
