Windows Resume vs. Apple Handoff: Who Wins?

Microsoft's new Resume feature for Windows 11 allows users to continue tasks across devices, mirroring Apple's established Handoff functionality. While similar in concept, Resume is currently in its early stages, exhibiting limited app support primarily for applications utilizing OneDrive for cloud storage. This starkly contrasts with Apple's Handoff, which boasts extensive compatibility with both first-party and numerous third-party applications, facilitating fluid transitions between devices.

Setting up Resume involves connecting an Android phone to a Windows 11 PC via Phone Link and enabling the feature in settings. Users initiate a supported activity on their phone, then lock their PC to resume the task on the desktop. However, early testing reveals potential complications, such as requiring system notifications to be enabled for the feature to appear. Unlike Apple's Handoff, Resume currently lacks the ability to move activities from the desktop back to the mobile device.

Microsoft also offers Phone Link Task Continuity, a feature with similar aims but a different user interface. While Task Continuity supports more app types currently, Microsoft is reportedly encouraging developers to adopt the newer Resume system. The overall user experience with Resume is that it is not yet as smooth or versatile as Apple's Handoff, which has benefited from over a decade of development and refinement.