One thing to sit up for: Microsoft has lengthy promoted the connection between Android telephones and Home windows PCs, permitting customers to share recordsdata and performance between the platforms – although there have been quite a few bugs alongside the way in which. A brand new Home windows 11 Insider replace goals to enhance this phone-PC integration by eliminating the necessity for add-on apps and enabling seamless performance immediately inside File Explorer.
All Home windows 11 Insider channel customers can now view recordsdata saved on Android telephones immediately in File Explorer. Customers can delete, rename, transfer, or copy recordsdata between the gadgets.
This new performance requires a smartphone working Android 11 or increased and the Hyperlink to Home windows app beta model 1.24071 or increased. To allow the characteristic, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & Gadgets > Cellular Gadgets > Handle Gadgets, and toggle the choice to show the telephone in File Explorer.
It is essential to notice that recordsdata deleted on the PC will go to the telephone’s recycle bin. Moreover, computerized deletion from the recycle bin happens after 5 days as a substitute of the same old 30, although a future replace will revert the timeframe to 30 days. Microsoft additionally plans to handle minor points with telephone syncing and the PC recycle bin.
To supply suggestions, head to Suggestions Hub > Gadgets and Drivers > Linked Gadgets. It’s also possible to open the Suggestions Hub utilizing the Win + F shortcut.
File Explorer is not the one technique to share content material between Android telephones and Home windows PCs. Final 12 months, Google launched Close by Share (now referred to as Google Fast Share) – its reply to Apple’s AirDrop – for Home windows customers. These with Google accounts can switch recordsdata between platforms by dragging them into Google’s desktop app or by right-clicking the recordsdata.
Moreover, earlier this 12 months, Microsoft launched a characteristic that enables Android telephones to operate as webcams for Home windows, much like Apple’s Continuity Digicam characteristic for iPhones and Macs. This may be discovered within the “Cellular Gadgets” part of the settings.
Microsoft additionally encourages PC house owners to make use of the Cellphone Hyperlink app to remotely carry out Android telephone capabilities like sending messages, making calls, and accessing images. Not like different smartphone connection options, Cellphone Hyperlink will finally assist iPhones.
In the meantime, a current Apple beta launched display screen mirroring, enabling full distant management of an iPhone from a Mac with out unlocking the telephone. All apps and options are accessible. Display screen mirroring is considered one of many new options coming to macOS, iOS, and iPadOS this fall.