Google’s latest Android update brings Pixel and Android users a feature that has long been associated with the Apple ecosystem. With Android 17, Google is enabling a new “Handoff” feature that allows users to seamlessly move app activities from one device to another – including on the web.
Seamless app continuity for Android
With Android 17, Google is introducing a cross-device handoff system that is intended to make switching between phones, tablets, Chromebooks and even web browsers more fluid. This feature allows users to continue what they were doing in a compatible app on another device without having to start over.
For example, a user browsing a product in Chrome on their Android phone could continue the same session on a tablet or desktop browser. Likewise, messaging or document-based apps can cause activity to continue while you work across all devices signed in to the same Google Account.
The functionality appears to build on Google’s existing cross-device services and account syncing, but Android 17 formalizes that experience into a clearer system-level feature. Developers need to integrate support, which means adoption can vary by app.
Why this matters in a multi-device world
The update signals Google’s commitment to strengthening the continuity of the Android ecosystem – an area where Apple’s Handoff feature has long been a competitive advantage. As more and more users work on multiple devices throughout the day, it becomes increasingly important to switch between them without losing context.
Modern workflows rarely stay on one screen. A user could start composing an email on their phone while commuting, refine it on their laptop at work, and access it later on a tablet at home. Android 17’s handover feature aims to eliminate friction in these transitions.
For Google, this is also about the stickiness of the ecosystem. As Chromebooks, Android tablets and web apps continue to evolve, a more cohesive experience could encourage users to stay within the Google platform rather than mixing ecosystems.
If you use multiple Android devices or regularly switch between mobile and desktop browsing, this feature can reduce interruptions in your daily life. Instead of manually reopening apps and going back to where you left off, Android 17 may show prompts to continue your activity elsewhere.
However, the experience depends on developer support and device compatibility. As with many platform-level upgrades, its utility will increase over time as more apps adopt the new APIs.
Data protection will also be an important aspect. Because activity handover involves synchronizing session data between devices, users will likely need to ensure that they are logged in securely and are comfortable with cross-device synchronization behavior.
What’s next for Android 17?
Android 17 is currently rolling out in beta, with Google continuing to refine features ahead of a stable release later this year. Handoff appears to be part of a broader push toward tighter integration between Android, ChromeOS, and web experiences.
As testing expands and developers begin building support, Google may provide more details about how deeply the handoff is integrated into system settings and notifications.
Currently, Android 17’s Handover feature represents a significant step toward making the Android ecosystem feel less fragmented – and more like a connected, unified experience across all screens.
