Google introduced 'Continue On' at Google I/O 2026, a cross-device continuity feature baked into Android 17 that lets users pick up a task on one device and continue on another. The feature, currently in beta and expected for full release later this summer, mirrors Apple's Handoff but with a key difference: a web fallback option that can prompt users to coontinue in a browser when the target device lacks the original app. According to the report, Apple's Handoff requires the same app on both devices, while Google's implementation allows developers to redirect tasks to a web version if needed.

The Web Fallback That Apple Doesn't Offer

As reported by the source, Google's 'Continue On' includes a web fallback capability that Apple's Handoff lacks. if a user starts an activity in an app on an Android phone and wants to pick it up on a tablet that does not have that app, the developer can allow the task to continue on a website instead. The system can even decide that the web version is better suited for the task and prompt the user accordingly. This flexibility could be a major advantage in the fragmented Android ecosystem , where not every app is available on every device or screen size.

Why Android 17's 'Continue On' Stops at Tablets

For now, Google's 'Continue On' is limited to Android phones and tablets. This is a notable contrast with Apple's Handoff, which works across iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. The source notes that it is unclear if Google will exted the feature to other devices in the future. Chromebooks and Wear OS smartwatches are obvious candidates, but no details were provided at Google I/O 2026. The omission of a wearable like the Pixel Watch could be a significant gap, especally since Apple Watch users can hand off calls and workouts seamlessly.

The Device Gap: Apple Watch and Mac Missing from Google's Plan

Apple's tight ecosystem control allows Handoff to span a wide range of hardware, from phones to watches to laptops. Google's 'Continue On' currently covers only phones and tablets, leaving out Android laptops (Chromebooks) and wearables. As the source states, all devices must be nearby, on the same Wi-Fi network, with Bluetooth enabled, and logged into the same user account—similar to Apple's requirements. But the limited device support means users of Android tablets cannot yet hand off to a Chromebook for a larger screen or to a smartwatch for quick glanceability. This may change with future Android releases, but Google has not announced a timeline.

What Google Didn't Say at I/O 2026: Developer Adoption and Privacy

One open question is how aggressively developers will adopt the 'Continue On' API, especially the web fallback option. Unlike Apple,which mandates seamless continuity within its ecosystem, Google leaves implementation to app makers. The source does not mention whether Google is incentivizing adoption or providing tools to make it easy. Another unaddressed point is privacy: Apple Handoff uses end-to-end encryption and only works with personal devices on the same iCloud account. Google's user account requirement suggessts a similar approach, but no specifics about encryption or data handling were provided. Users may wonder whether their browsing sessions and tasks are securely transferred across devices.