Windows 11 has a continuity trick called the Windows 11 Resume feature, and it has mostly been invisible. The idea is simple, do something on your Android phone, then your PC suggests where to pick it back up.
That sounds a lot like the handoff flow between an iPhone and a Mac. But on Windows, the list of supported apps has been so short that plenty of people have never seen the feature fire outside of a couple familiar names.
Microsoft is now signaling that Resume should be able to work with more third-party Android apps, as long as there’s a matching app on Windows. If that happens at scale, Resume goes from a buried toggle to something you’ll actually notice.
More apps can join Resume
The clearest change is that Microsoft is describing a broader way for apps to light up Resume. The baseline requirement stays practical, the same service needs an Android app and a Windows app, otherwise there’s nowhere useful to send you.
It also looks less tied to a single companion path. Alongside the Link to Windows route, there’s a second option that uses Windows Notification System to surface a continue suggestion through normal Windows notifications.
That doesn’t mean everything will suddenly support it. Developers still have to integrate it, and access isn’t wide open by default.
It still won’t feel like Apple yet
Even with expanded support, Resume probably won’t match Apple’s polish right away. Apple controls both platforms and a lot of the software experience, while Windows depends on app makers choosing to participate.
It’s also not a full session handoff. You shouldn’t expect the exact screen you left on your phone to appear on your PC. Think of it as a fast shortcut back into the same app or service, which can beat digging through recent apps, tabs, or notifications.
A curated approach could help, too. If Resume turns into a stream of low value nudges, people will switch it off and never look back.
What to watch next on your PC
If you want to check whether Resume is doing anything for you, make sure it’s enabled in your app settings, then pay attention after you use the same service on your phone. You’ll only see it when a supported Android app lines up with its Windows version.
The real test is which apps adopt it first. If everyday staples like messaging, mail, docs, and music jump in, Resume becomes the kind of small feature you miss when it’s gone. If not, it stays a curiosity, and you can ignore it without losing sleep.
