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Microsoft continues to make the Home windows and Android connection extra just like the connection between iPhones and Apple’s Mac computer systems. Probably the greatest options that Apple ever launched for the Mac is Handoff, which lets customers shortly bounce forwards and backwards between an iPhone and a Mac. It is nice for beginning one thing in your telephone after which transferring over to your work laptop while you get again to the workplace. And now, Microsoft is bringing an identical function to Home windows 11 via its Cellphone Hyperlink function.
Microsoft shared information of its plans to permit customers to “seamlessly resume apps from Android telephone to PC” in a Dev Channel update for Home windows Insiders. In response to the publish, Microsoft is slowly rolling out the function as a part of Home windows 11 Insider Preview Construct 26200.5761 (KB5064093), although it can even be obtainable to customers working the newest beta channel builds, too.
At first, the function will likely be comparatively restricted, with it principally solely permitting you to renew listening to music on Spotify between your Android telephone and Home windows 11 PC. Primarily based on the wording within the weblog publish, it sounds just like the function would require the Spotify app discovered within the Microsoft Retailer. If you do not have it put in but, Microsoft says clicking the notification will begin a “1-click obtain” and set up the app from the shop. After all, you will should be logged into the identical Spotify account on each gadgets.
Simply the beginning for Android and Home windows 11
It is price noting that with the ability to resume enjoying tracks on Spotify throughout a PC and Android gadget is already constructed into the app because of a function referred to as Spotify Join. That mentioned, this course of ought to not less than make it simpler and extra of a local a part of your PC expertise. You will want to have your gadget related to Bluetooth via Cellphone Hyperlink, although. It is doable to make use of Cellphone Hyperlink with out Bluetooth, however it’s extra restricted, and also you’re most likely already related anyway should you use Microsoft’s phone mirroring feature.
Whereas this can be a pale imitation of Apple’s Handoff function in the intervening time, it is a step in the proper route for Home windows 11 and Android. It additionally makes the Home windows x Android ecosystem a real competitor to Apple’s ecosystem, particularly since Cellphone Hyperlink works with any Android gadget, although not all Cellphone Hyperlink options work on all Android gadgets. Some are unique to Samsung gadgets.
It’ll take some time earlier than Microsoft’s model of Handoff can really stand as much as the usefulness of Apple’s, particularly as Apple continues to improve cross-device integration with the arrival of iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe. However this can be a stable begin.