Run Android apps on Windows 11 with the new Phone Link feature. Resume activity from your phone and stay connected across platforms.
Microsoft is experimenting with a new, streamlined feature known as “Resume from your phone,” which enables Android users to resume app activity on their Windows 11 PC directly. Similar to Apple’s Handoff, this cross-device integration allows you to pick up where you left off—with the podcast playing or browsing content—across devices. It’s a shrewd move that enhances the cross-platform synergy between Android and Windows, particularly for those who use both platforms every day.
Driven by Phone Link and Bluetooth
The magic is made possible using Microsoft’s Phone Link app, which pairs your Android device with your PC over Bluetooth. After pairing, Windows 11 will be able to sense supported app activity—starting with Spotify—and present a notification asking you to pick up where you left off on your desktop. If the app isn’t yet installed, Windows will take you to download it, all in a frictionless experience.
A Strategic Shift After WSA Shutdown
This feature comes only a few months after Microsoft officially discontinued the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), which previously enabled users to natively run Android apps on Windows. Rather than emulating complete apps, Microsoft is now working on activity continuity, providing a lighter and user-friendly alternative. It is already available to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta channels, with additional apps soon to join the fray.
How to Download Android Apps on Windows 11
Although WSA is no longer available for new installations, don’t worry. Google Play Games Beta allows you to play Android games on Windows—just set up virtualization in BIOS and Windows settings, then install the Play Games app. For general app use, BlueStacks is still one of the best emulators around, enabling you to play anything from social networking to productivity software with ease.
What It Means for Android-Windows Users
Microsoft’s shift from full app emulation to more intelligent handoff experiences is part of a larger trend: seamless cross-device workflows. Whether you game, stream, or work, the idea is to keep you in the flow without breaking your concentration. As the number of supported apps grows, this feature may reshape how Android users interact with their PCs—making Windows 11 feel like an authentic continuation of their mobile life.
