Cross Device Resume is similar to macOS-like Handsoff feature, but for Windows 11

Microsoft is testing a new “Cross Device Resume” feature in Windows 11 that works a lot like Apple’s Handoff on macOS. It showed up during a Build 2025 session, but the demo was pulled later. However, we now know what was in it, courtesy of @phantomofearth and Windows Central.

Microsoft tests new Cross Device Resume for Windows 11, a quiet answer to Apple’s Handoff

Say you were listening to a song on Spotify on your phone. When you open your PC, Windows shows a tiny badge on the Spotify icon. You can simply tap it, and you’re back in that same song on your desktop.

“Spotify launches and I’m instantly back in the same song, now playing on my PC,” said Microsoft’s Aakash Varshney, speaking about Windows 11’s Cross Device Resume feature during the session. It’s worth noting, the message on hover literally says, “resume, recently opened on your mobile device.”

Not to forget, Microsoft actually tried something like Cross Device Resume years ago. They called it Project Rome back then. It was supposed to help apps follow you across devices. That didn’t really work for Microsoft.

Also read: Here’s How to Enable AI Actions in File Explorer in Windows 11

But now it seems they’re trying again, this time calling it Cross Device Resume. This could be quite useful, given that nowadays people quickly jump between their phone and desktop constantly.

“It’s a smooth one-click transition that keeps the music and user experience uninterrupted,” Varshney further said, talking about Cross Device Resume. Right now, it’s just a sneak peek, so there’s no official release date.

It looks like Windows 11 is trying to borrow a trick or two from Apple’s Handoff feature. Speaking of Apple, Microsoft has recently blamed the Cupertino giant for the delay in the Xbox mobile store launch.