Designing Task Continuity Across Devices

Designing Task Continuity Across Devices

Designing Task Continuity Across Devices

Helping users move between phone and PC without losing context, files, or momentum. Streamlines cross-device workflows, reducing friction in everyday tasks.

Key Product Designer

Role

Android iOS + Windows

Platform

Task Continuity

Focus

Responsible for design and implementation of the File Transfer and Ring My Phone feature for the Phone Link app on Windows and the companion Link to Windows app on Android/IOS devices.

The Challenge

Users think in Tasks. Not Devices.

img:User want to send a photo to their PC

People don't think in terms of phones, PCs, or tablets—they think in terms of goals. The experience often breaks due to disconnected systems, inconsistent interfaces, and unclear mental models. Cross-device experiences are not only a technical challenge but also a UX challenge of continuity.

The Insight

Cross‑device experiences are not about moving files. They are about preserving context.

68%

Users switch devices during a task

53%

Lose context during transitions

31%

Repeat actions unnecessarily

Understanding Cross-device Behavior

Users Don't Switch Tasks. They Switch Devices.

From the user's perspective, devices are merely touchpoints in a continuous journey. The real challenge is preserving context, intent, and momentum across every transition.

Cross-Device Experience Framework

Cross-Device Experience Framework

Designing for Continuity & Building a Unified Experience

Rather than designing isolated features, I focused on creating a connected ecosystem that helps users maintain context as they move between devices.

Design Principle

Continuity

Users should never feel they are starting over.

1

Context Preservation

Keep content, progress, and intent synchronized.

2

Progressive Transition

Transitions between devices should feel natural and predictable.

3

Design Flow for File Transfer 👉

Design Flow for Ring My Phone 👉

In App Receiving

Sending

Backstage Receiving

Notification design for different scenarios across different platform

Landscpe design for mobile device

Edge cases for various situation

Impact

Broader ecosystem benefits

Improved efficiency

Enhanced user satisfaction

Due to NDA restrictions, specific metrics cannot be disclosed. However, the solution was successfully shipped to millions of users through Microsoft's cross-device ecosystem.

Due to NDA restrictions, specific metrics cannot be disclosed. However, the solution was successfully shipped to millions of users through Microsoft's cross-device ecosystem.