If you own a Samsung phone and a new laptop, Googlebook Better Together should now work for you. Google began rolling out the fixes around October 10, 2026, and Samsung phones on Android 17 appear to be getting the missing features.
Below is what the feature does, what your phone needs, and how to switch everything on.
Quick facts before the details:
- Better Together needs a phone running Android 17, signed in to the same personal Google Account as the Googlebook.
- Samsung phones need One UI 9, which is still reaching only part of Samsung’s lineup.
- You need Google Play services 26.37 or higher and Cross-device services 1.0.1346 or higher.
- Google also cleaned up first-time setup and fixed a QR code that stayed on screen after pairing.
Those four points explain most of the “it won’t connect” reports. Check them first.
What Googlebook Better Together actually does
Better Together is Google’s name for the features that tie a Googlebook to an Android phone. Think of it as the laptop acting like an extension of your phone.
According to Droid Life, the headline features are these.
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Continue On | Pick up a task on the Googlebook that you started on your phone, or the other way around. |
| Cast My Apps | Open phone apps in a window on the laptop screen. |
| Notification sync | See and act on phone notifications from the laptop. |
| Quick Access | Reach phone features and files from the laptop. |
| Instant Hotspot | Share your phone’s connection with the laptop. This one worked widely from day one. |
At launch, 9to5Google noted that several of these features were slow to turn on, inconsistent, or missing. Instant Hotspot was the exception. That is why so many people assumed the laptop was broken.
If you are still shopping, our Googlebook price and models guide covers the five launch laptops.
Why Samsung phones were left out at first
Google said these features work best with Android phones in general, not only Pixels. But early Samsung owners found key pieces missing, even on Android 17 phones like the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 8.
Google then said it was finishing updates. As of October 10, 9to5Google reported that the rollout had started and that some Galaxy users saw the features working.
The catch is One UI 9. Samsung is rolling it out to a small slice of devices so far. If your Galaxy is still waiting, see our notes on the One UI 9 update for older Galaxy phones.
How to set up Googlebook Better Together, step by step
Work through these in order. Most failed setups skip step three or four.
- Confirm the phone runs Android 17 (One UI 9 on Samsung).
- Sign in to the same personal Google Account on both devices, and turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- Update Google Play services to 26.37 or higher in the Play Store.
- Update Cross-device services to 1.0.1346 or higher.
- On the phone, open Cross-device services, then Continue activity. Turn on Tasks, Apps, Notifications, and Files & media sharing.
- Restart the phone and the Googlebook.
The restart matters. Background service updates often do not take effect until both devices reboot.
What to try if the connection still fails
Network is the next suspect. Direct device connections are often blocked on hotel, cafe, office, and guest Wi-Fi, so test on your private home network.
Also pause any VPN or DNS blocker while you pair the devices. These tools can stop the laptop and phone from finding each other.
If a stale pairing screen is the problem, update first. Google fixed a bug that left the pairing QR code on screen after pairing finished.
One more habit helps: do the setup with both devices plugged in or well charged. A pairing that stalls halfway can leave a half-configured link that takes another restart to clear.
Finally, check the toggles again after any big system update. Phones sometimes reset cross-device permissions, and a single switched-off toggle looks exactly like a broken feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Googlebook work with Samsung phones?
Yes, with conditions. The phone needs Android 17, which means One UI 9 on a Galaxy. Google began rolling out Samsung support in early October.
Do I need a Pixel phone for Better Together?
No. Google says the laptops work best with Android phones, and it lists several brands on Android 17 as compatible.
Why is Cast My Apps missing on my phone?
Most often the phone is on an older Android version, or the Cross-device services toggles are off. Update the apps, enable the toggles, and restart both devices.
Does a VPN break Better Together?
It can. Direct connections between devices may fail with a VPN or DNS blocker active, so pause it while pairing.
Our take
Better Together is useful once it works, but the setup is fussy. If you use a Galaxy phone, wait until One UI 9 reaches your model before buying a Googlebook just for these features. If you already have both, run the six steps above and give it one reboot before you give up.
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