Windows 11 is rolling out a handy new feature that lets you pick up right where you left off with Android apps—starting with Spotify. With this update, you can begin listening to music or a podcast on your phone and instantly continue on your Windows 11 PC with a simple taskbar notification.
For now, the functionality is limited to Spotify, but Microsoft is clearly aiming to make switching between devices as effortless as Apple’s popular Handoff feature.
How the “Resume” Feature Works
When you’re listening to something in the Spotify app on your Android device, Windows 11 will now display a “Resume alert” in the taskbar. A single click reopens the same track or podcast in the Spotify desktop app, sparing you from manually searching or scrubbing through content.
This feature is currently rolling out to Windows Insiders in both the Dev and Beta channels. To try it, ensure your PC is running the latest Insider Preview build.
Setting It Up
Getting started is fairly simple:
- On your PC, head to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices, and toggle “Allow this PC to access your mobile devices.”
- On your Android phone, open the Link to Windows app and allow it to run in the background.
- Launch Spotify on your phone and start playing something. The Resume alert should appear on your PC’s taskbar.
👉 Note: Since this is a gradual rollout, it might take a little while before the feature shows up on your system.
Smart App Handling
What’s especially impressive is how Windows 11 manages the experience if you don’t already have the Spotify desktop app installed. Instead of leaving you stuck, the alert will offer a one-click install via the Microsoft Store. After installation, Spotify opens automatically and prompts you to log in—ensuring a seamless transition.
Just remember that you’ll need to be signed into the same Spotify account on both your phone and PC.
Beyond Spotify: What’s Next?
Microsoft isn’t stopping at music. The company is already inviting app developers to add support for the new “Resume” API, which means in the future you may be able to:
- Pick up a document you were reading on your phone and continue instantly on your PC.
- Jump back into a mobile game exactly where you left off.
- Switch between productivity or reading apps across devices without missing a beat.
This update could make workflows significantly smoother, especially for users who regularly juggle tasks between phone and computer.
Other Updates in the Latest Insider Build
The Windows Insider Preview build also introduces a few smaller, but noteworthy, improvements:
- Battery Icons: Updated icons on the lock screen give you a clearer, quick-glance view of your PC’s battery level.
- New Keyboard Shortcuts: You can now easily insert typographic dashes with:
WIN + Minus (–)for an en dashWIN + Shift + Minus (—)for an em dash
Final Thoughts
Microsoft’s new Android-to-PC integration marks a major step toward a truly connected ecosystem. While it currently works only with Spotify, the potential for broader app support could rival Apple’s Handoff, making device switching smoother than ever for Windows users.