Microsoft has begun testing a new Windows 11 feature that lets users seamlessly hand off active Android app sessions to their PC, with Spotify as the first supported app. The capability, dubbed "Continue on PC," is gradually rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels, and it aims to eliminate the friction of switching between phone and desktop mid-task.
The feature was first demonstrated during a Build 2025 presentation that has since been removed. It works by linking an Android phone to a Windows 11 PC via Phone Link (on the PC) and Link to Windows (on Android). When a user opens a song in Spotify's mobile app, Windows displays a "Resume from your phone" notification with a Spotify icon and a prompt to "Continue on this PC." Selecting the notification opens Spotify's desktop app—or prompts installation if it's not already there—allowing the same song to continue playing without interruption.
A True “Continue on PC” – Not Just Another App Launcher
Phone Link has supported app streaming for years, but this goes further. The handoff is context-triggered: it doesn't just launch an app; it resumes the exact session. If you're listening to a playlist on your phone, clicking the Windows toast transfers that specific playback state. If the PC has a native desktop app that can accept the context, it will open there. If not, Windows can stream the Android app session directly into a Phone Link window.
This design mirrors Apple's Handoff, but for the heterogeneous Android ecosystem. Microsoft's approach leans on cloud services and deep links to carry context, rather than raw session migration. For Spotify, the desktop app fetches the current track and position from Spotify's servers using your credentials—no direct phone-to-PC state transfer needed.
Why This Matters More After WSA's Retirement
On March 5, 2025, Microsoft retired Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore route for native Android installs on Windows 11. That decision refocused the mobile story on Phone Link's bridging model. "Continue on PC" becomes a strategic pillar: if you can't run every Android app locally, the next best thing is to make switching devices feel invisible.
It also addresses a real productivity pain point. Users routinely start tasks on their phones—reading an article, drafting an email, queuing a playlist—and then want to continue on a bigger screen with a keyboard. Manually navigating to the same spot on the PC can take multiple steps. One-click handoff reduces that cognitive load, and the initial Spotify use case is a low-risk way for Microsoft to validate the plumbing across networks, sign-in states, and form factors.
Who Gets It and When
The feature is a controlled flight to Windows Insiders as of late August 2025. Availability depends on several factors:
- Windows: Latest Insider builds from the Dev or Beta Channel.
- Phone Link (Windows) and Link to Windows (Android): Recent updates are required; the feature flag is server-side gated, so even updated apps may not show the prompt immediately.
- Microsoft account: You must be signed into the same account on both devices.
- Android version: Generally Android 9 or later, with best reliability on devices that have deep Link to Windows integration (Samsung, HONOR, Surface Duo).
Spotify is the only supported app at launch. Microsoft hasn't announced a timeline for expansion, but media, note-taking, and messaging apps are natural next candidates. Apps with complex DRM, such as video streaming, or enterprise line-of-business tools may take longer due to security and licensing hurdles.
How to Try It: A Practical Checklist
Because this is a staged rollout, not every Insider will see the prompt on day one. Still, here's what you need to do to be ready:
- Join the Insider Program: Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, pick Dev or Beta Channel, and install the latest build.
- Update Phone Link: Open the Microsoft Store, go to Library > Get updates, or launch Phone Link and ensure it's current. Enable "Apps" or "Cross-device experiences" if prompted.
- Prepare your phone: Install or update Link to Windows from the Play Store. Sign in with the same Microsoft account used on the PC.
- Pair devices: Launch Phone Link on Windows, choose Android, and follow the QR code flow to link your phone.
- Trigger a handoff: Start playing Spotify on your phone. Watch for a "Continue on PC" banner on the phone (in the share sheet or Link to Windows suggestion) or a Windows toast that references the Spotify session. Click it.
- If you have the Spotify desktop app, Windows should route the context there. Otherwise, Phone Link will open a streamed window of Spotify from your phone.
Make sure Phone Link is allowed to show notifications for Spotify. Many continuity prompts rely on notification mirroring.
Early Troubleshooting Tips
Insiders may hit a few snags. Here are common blockers and fixes:
- No prompt appears: You might not be in the flight wave yet. Confirm you're on a Dev or Beta build, update Phone Link and Link to Windows, and wait a few days. Also, check that Link to Windows isn't being battery-optimized aggressively in your phone's settings.
- Prompt appears but nothing happens: Open Phone Link to the foreground first. Early builds sometimes need the app active for the handoff to proceed.
- Streaming quality is poor: Keep both devices on the same reliable Wi-Fi network, prefer 5 GHz or 6 GHz bands, and minimize background downloads on the phone.
- Native continuation lands in the wrong place: If the system opens a web page instead of the desktop app, manually open the correct desktop app once; future attempts may remember your preference.
The Bigger Picture: A Cross-Device Windows Ecosystem
This feature signals a broader strategy. Instead of chasing native Android app support, Microsoft is focusing on bridging the phone and PC. "Continue on PC" could one day encompass not just media but documents, chats, shopping carts, and maps—anywhere "resume exactly where I left off" saves effort.
The initial test is modest, but the ambition is clear. If Microsoft can nail the details—fast prompts, correct identity handling, and smooth landing in desktop apps—Windows 11 gains a powerful differentiator in everyday productivity. That's especially true in a landscape where Apple's Handoff sets a high bar and Google's Phone Hub is Chrome OS-centric.
Limitations and Open Questions
For now, deep context handoff is limited to Spotify. Many apps will initially open without session state or fall back to streaming the phone's app in a window. DRM-heavy services (Netflix, banking apps) pose additional challenges. Multi-account setups—personal vs. work profiles—may also confuse the routing logic.
Network dependence is another factor. While Bluetooth assists discovery, a robust Wi-Fi connection is essential for streaming. Roaming between access points or using a VPN can break the handoff.
Enterprise users should note that MDM policies (like Intune) can restrict Phone Link's app streaming, clipboard sharing, and file transfer. "Continue on PC" will respect those toggles, so it may not be available in locked-down environments.
Community Wish List
Early feedback from WindowsForum suggests several enhancements:
- Per-app preferences (always open as desktop app vs. always stream)
- Multi-PC targeting when more than one linked PC is online
- Granular context (cursor position in a doc, timestamp in a playlist, specific chat thread)
- Diagnostic tooltips explaining why a handoff failed (version mismatch, policy block, network issue)
What Success Looks Like
Over the next few months, expect more first- and third-party apps to plug in. Media and note-taking are the low-hanging fruit. As deep-link standards mature, the prompts could become smarter—suggesting the right app at the right time based on your habits. Tighter Android OS integration might put "Continue on PC" affordances in the share sheet, quick settings, or app switcher.
For users, the best handoff is one they barely notice. That's the target: click a toast and immediately find your task waiting on the bigger screen, no sign-ins or searches required. Microsoft has taken the first step with Spotify. Now the hard work of scaling begins.
Call for Insider experiences: Have you seen the prompt? Did it open the desktop app or stream your phone? Let us know which apps you want to see next.