Google Finally Matches Apple’s Handoff With Android 17 Continue On Feature

On May 20, 2026, Google unveiled Continue On during its Android 17 rollout. The feature marks a major step toward tighter ecosystem integration, enabling Android users to switch tasks between devices without losing progress.

How Continue On Works

• Sender device: The phone where the activity begins.
• Receiver device: The tablet (or other Android device) where the activity continues.
• Handoff process: Runs in the background, requiring no manual setup.
• If the app is installed on both devices, the activity deep-links directly to the same screen.
• If the app isn’t installed, a web fallback opens the equivalent experience in the browser.
• Example: A Google Docs file opened on a phone can instantly resume on a tablet. Gmail can hand off from the app to the full web interface, opening the same email thread.

Current Limitations

At launch, Continue On supports mobile-to-tablet transitions only. Google has confirmed bidirectional support is planned, but tablet-to-phone handoff is not yet available. Developers can already begin building support for the feature in Android 17’s release candidate builds.

Strategic Importance

• This move positions Android closer to Apple’s ecosystem by:
• Offering cross-device continuity for productivity and communication apps.
• Encouraging developers to integrate deep-linking and web fallback options.
• Laying groundwork for expansion to Googlebook laptops and broader device interoperability.

Key Highlights

•⁠  ⁠Android 17 introduces “Continue On,” Google’s version of Apple’s Handoff

•⁠  ⁠Allows seamless transition of app activity between phone and tablet

•⁠  ⁠Web fallback ensures continuity even if apps aren’t installed

•⁠  ⁠Currently limited to mobile-to-tablet transitions, bidirectional support planned

•⁠  ⁠Developers can start implementing support in Android 17 RC1 builds

•⁠  ⁠Potential expansion to laptops and wider Android ecosystem integration

Sources: Digital Trends, Firstpost, Android Developers, Android Police, Android Headlines