Google Unveils Cross-Device Services for Android: Seamless Integration Across Phones and Tablets

After much anticipation, Google has successfully enabled Android devices to communicate and cooperate with each other, a feature reminiscent of those found on Apple and Samsung gadgets. This new capability, known as cross-device services, was long rumored before its official unveiling in May and has only recently become operational for me.

The service encompasses two primary functions: creating hotspots and making calls. Essentially, if both of your Android devices are signed into the same Google account, they automatically become part of a unified group that can instantly share a hotspot or initiate a video call without any need for initial setup or passwords. This functionality is not limited to a single manufacturer, offering a universal solution across all Android brands, though it’s notable that the instant hotspot feature does not support Samsung devices.

From my personal usage, Google’s implementation of this feature across Android devices is both immediate and flawless. It’s surprising that it took so long, but the wait was worth it for this level of seamless inter-device communication.

When you’re traveling with a data-enabled phone and a Wi-Fi-only Android tablet—or another smartphone—the process usually involves activating the hotspot on your primary device, selecting the network on your tablet, and entering the password for initial connection. It’s a bit cumbersome and not exactly seamless, especially since we expect modern smartphones to handle such tasks more intelligently. Additionally, when you finish using the internet, you must manually disconnect everything to conserve battery life.

Imagine being able to access a hotspot seamlessly without needing to physically interact with your primary phone to start the tethering process.

Moreover, consider the inconvenience during a video call on your phone when you decide to switch to a device with a larger screen, like a tablet. Currently, you have to end the call and redial or disconnect and reconnect, which disrupts the flow of conversation and isn’t user-friendly.

Google’s cross-device integration aims to smooth over these frustrations. It allows your Android devices to communicate silently in the background when they are in proximity. This means you can effortlessly transfer a video call to another device or activate a hotspot and connect with your secondary device without having to interact directly with the primary device. This neat feature enhances user experience significantly, wouldn’t you agree?

How to turn on cross-device services

Activating Cross-Device Services

To turn on cross-device services and ensure all your Android devices can leverage this new feature, you’ll need to follow a few steps on each device. Here’s how to get started (visual instructions are also available in the screenshots provided):

1. Navigate to Settings > Google > All services > Cross-device services on each of your devices.
2. Press Next to begin setting up the services.
3. Click Ok to link your devices under the same Google account.

After these steps, you’ll gain access to the cross-device services settings, including options for Call casting and Internet sharing. Enable both options to utilize the full range of services, or disable one if it’s not needed. You’ll also be able to view all the account groups your devices belong to, manage the devices within each group, and rename how each device is displayed.

Simply repeat this process for each Android device you own to unify them under one account. Once set up, these services will activate automatically whenever they are required, streamlining your inter-device interactions

Your secondary Android phone or tablet can connect to an instant hotspot from your primary device in two main ways. The most common method involves an automatic notification. Typically, when I unlock my offline phone while it’s near the online primary phone, I receive a prompt asking if I’d like to connect to the main phone’s hotspot. Selecting ‘Connect’ initiates the hotspot connection immediately (see the first three screenshots for guidance).

This feature is applicable to both data and Wi-Fi connections but is particularly useful for sharing data. The primary device will display a notification (illustrated in the rightmost screenshot) indicating it is now sharing data with another device. To disconnect, simply select the ‘Disconnect’ option on your secondary device’s notification, and the hotspot connection will cease, returning both devices to their previous states.

Should the automatic notification fail to appear—a rare event in my experience—you can manually connect by scanning for available Wi-Fi networks on your secondary device. The primary phone will typically appear at the top of the network list, marked with a phone icon. Tapping this network will start the instant hotspot process just as effectively as the automatic method

Casting a Video Call to Another Device Using Cross-Device Services

A valuable feature of cross-device services is the ability to seamlessly transfer a video call from one device to another—such as from your smartphone to your tablet. To initiate this transfer, simply tap the Cast icon located at the top right corner of the screen during a Google Meet video call. A pop-up will appear, listing your nearby devices that are eligible for receiving the call. Select the device to which you want to transfer the call.

Once you choose a device, Google Meet on the recipient device will automatically open, displaying the ongoing video call. You will be prompted to confirm the transfer; selecting “Switch” completes the process. The call will then continue on the second device, while the original device will display a notification indicating that the call has been transferred. This feature makes it convenient to switch devices mid-call without interruption.

A Promising Leap Towards Apple-Like Continuity and Universal Integration

Over the past few days while traveling and reporting at IFA in Berlin, I’ve been testing Google’s new cross-device capabilities, and the experience has been nothing short of magical. With my Pixel 9 Pro XL connected via EU-wide roaming, I no longer have to manually manage hotspots for my Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which lacks its own data connection. Instead, I simply activate an instant hotspot on the Fold whenever I need it and then deactivate it when finished, all without having to handle the Pro XL directly. This effortless interaction is even more valuable when using a tablet away from Wi-Fi networks, eliminating the hassle of traditional hotspot setups.

This level of simplicity echoes the convenience of Fast Pair, which now allows my earbuds to connect or switch between devices without a hitch—an ability I once missed when such technology was unavailable, requiring manual pairing.

The smooth and efficient nature of cross-device integration bears a resemblance to Fast Pair: it’s intuitive, quick, and flawless. These services represent the kind of seamless transitions that make one question why such functionality wasn’t available on stock Android sooner. Although some manufacturers offered their own solutions, these were typically restricted to specific brands. Google’s implementation across the entire Android ecosystem is a significant improvement, benefiting users with devices from multiple manufacturers.

Looking ahead, I anticipate that future setups will be even more streamlined, potentially eliminating the need for manual configuration as these services might come pre-enabled, or at least as part of the initial setup of new devices.

As Google continues to develop its cross-device functionalities, I’m eager to see what’s next. Rumors suggest advancements like cross-device Quick Share and more integrated features are on the horizon, promising to enhance the connectivity between Android devices of any brand, making our tech experience even more interconnected and effortless