In a move that reflects Google’s push to strengthen ecosystem integration, Android 17 introduces a new feature that allows users to continue their activity across different devices without interruption — including web browsers.
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The new capability, which can be described as a built-in “handoff” system, enables smooth transitions between a smartphone, tablet, Chromebook, and even a browser session, while preserving the same login session and progress within an app.
A Connected Experience Across Devices
With Android 17, a user could browse a product via Google Chrome on their phone and then resume browsing from the exact same point on a tablet or desktop browser.
The same applies to messaging apps and document editing tools, where work can continue seamlessly as long as the user is signed in with the same account, according to a report by PhoneArena.
While Android already offers synchronization services, this update elevates them by embedding the feature more deeply into the operating system itself as a core framework element.
However, widespread adoption will depend on developer support, meaning the experience may vary between apps during the early stages.
Direct Competition with Apple’s Ecosystem
For years, the Handoff feature within Apple’s ecosystem has been considered a defining strength of its tightly integrated devices.
With Android 17, Google appears determined to narrow that gap by delivering a more cohesive experience across smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
In today’s multi-screen world, work rarely stays confined to one device. A user might begin drafting an email on their phone while commuting, complete it on a computer at the office, and revisit it later on a tablet at home.
The new feature aims to eliminate friction between these transitions.
Strategic Implications and Ecosystem Lock-In
For Google, this move goes beyond user convenience — it strengthens ecosystem cohesion. The more integrated Android devices, Chromebooks, and web experiences become, the more likely users are to remain within Google’s environment rather than switch between competing platforms.
That said, privacy considerations remain important. Transferring sessions between devices requires syncing usage data. Google is expected to provide clear controls that allow users to manage this behavior securely.
When Will It Arrive?
Android 17 is still in beta testing, with Google continuing to refine features ahead of its anticipated official release later this year.
More details are expected regarding how the handoff functionality will be integrated into system settings and notifications as testing expands.
Ultimately, the “handoff” feature in Android 17 represents a meaningful step toward reducing fragmentation and transforming the platform into a more unified, cross-screen ecosystem.
