What is a cross-device?
Cross-device services in 2025 refer primarily to Google’s ecosystem of features designed to enable seamless interaction and integration across multiple Android and ChromeOS devices logged into the same Google Account. These services, widely rolled out since 2024, include functionalities such as:
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Call casting: The ability to transfer ongoing video calls (currently supported on Google Meet) smoothly between devices like smartphones, tablets, and Chromebooks without interrupting the call.
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Automatic Internet sharing (Instant Hotspot): Allows devices such as Chromebooks and other Android devices (except some brands like Samsung) to connect automatically to a phone’s hotspot without manual configuration or password entry, using Bluetooth and device location.
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App interactions across devices: Starting or controlling Android apps running on a phone from a Chromebook, including replying to messages, checking rideshare status, managing shopping lists, and even playing certain games streamed to the Chromebook screen.
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Device group management: Users can create a group of devices connected to the same Google Account, enabling cross-device services and visibility between them.
These features require devices running Android 11 or newer with updated Google Play services, and Bluetooth enabled for proximity detection. They aim to create a more cohesive, intuitive digital ecosystem where devices work together transparently to anticipate user needs and streamline workflows. The rollout has expanded beyond Google Pixel phones to others like Nothing OS devices, offering Android users an integrated experience somewhat analogous to Apple’s Handoff [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [9].
In 2025, updates continue to improve these services, as indicated by new system services releases and expanded feature recommendations within Google Settings [8].
Overall, cross-device services in 2025 are becoming central to the Android ecosystem’s vision of fluid multi-device usage, enabling users to move seamlessly between devices with minimal friction or setup.