Android's answer to Apple's Handoff: File and App Sharing Across Devices is Coming
As someone deeply invested in the mobile world, I'm always on the lookout for features that make our digital lives smoother. It seems Google is taking a leaf out of Apple's book, aiming to create a more connected ecosystem within Android. If you are an Android user, then you know that cross-device services are already present, offering things like automatic hotspot connection and call transfers between devices logged into the same Google account.
Now, it looks like they're working on something even more ambitious: a feature, that's currently under development, that could bring file and app sharing across your devices. It's being called Handoff, and yes, the name is likely a nod to Apple's similar functionality. Imagine seamlessly picking up a task on your tablet that you started on your phone, or easily sharing files between your devices without having to mess around with cloud storage or email. That's the vision here.
Recently, some folks dug into the code of Google Play Services version 25.29.31 beta and uncovered evidence of a new toggle for cross-device file sharing. I mean, the feature isn't fully functional yet, but the description makes it clear: turning it on will give you access to your files across all your devices. This file and media sharing option sits alongside the notification sharing functionality that was spotted earlier, suggesting a suite of cross-device capabilities.
But that's not all. There's also a hint of being able to run apps across multiple devices. The discovered code suggests that there may be a dropdown menu at the top of the app drawer on connected devices. Right now, it only shows "Local device," but the thinking is that it could eventually display a list of all your connected devices, letting you launch and use apps from one device on another. It's like having your entire digital world available wherever you are.
Of course, none of this is set in stone. We've seen glimpses of UIs for cross-device app launching, media sharing, and notification syncing, but it's still unclear how these features will actually work in practice. And the most crucial part of Handoff – the mechanism for continuing tasks from one device to another – remains a mystery. While the potential is exciting, there's no guarantee when (or if) Android's Handoff will see the light of day. I'll be keeping a close eye on this, and I'll be sure to share any updates as they come.
Source: AndroidAuthority