What is Windows 11's Resume feature?

Windows 11's Resume feature allows users to continue tasks across devices, similar to Apple's Handoff, by transferring activities from a phone to a PC.

How does Windows Resume compare to Apple Handoff?

Apple's Handoff offers broader app compatibility and seamless transitions, while Windows Resume currently has limited app support and is still under development.

What apps currently support Windows Resume?

Currently, only OneDrive and apps that use it for cloud storage, like Excel, OneNote, and PowerPoint, can take advantage of the Resume feature.

Home / Technology / Windows Resume vs. Apple Handoff: Who Wins?

Windows Resume vs. Apple Handoff: Who Wins?

11 Feb

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Summary

Windows Resume allows app continuity but has limited app support.
Apple's Handoff offers broader app compatibility and seamless transitions.
Microsoft's Resume feature is new and still under development.

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.