BERLIN: Want to wirelessly send files from your phone to your PC? Read notifications about incoming messages on the big screen? Or use the phone’s camera as a webcam? That’s long been simple in the Apple ecosystem — now, after years of looking on jealously, users of Windows PCs and Android smartphones can also do it.
One way is to use Microsoft’s Phone Link. That allows you to read and reply to text messages, view photos from your Android device, use your mobile apps, make and receive calls, and manage your Android device’s notifications on your PC.
Among other things, you can also exchange data between your PC and smartphone using file sharing, put the phone in “Do not disturb” mode and control music playback.
The prerequisites are that your PC is running Windows 10 (with the May 2019 Update or later) or Windows 11 and your Android device is running Android 8.0 or later. For the best compatibility and performance, Microsoft recommends using Android 10 or later.
Your phone and your PC both need to be connected to the same WiFi network. You also need to have the Link to Windows app (Android and iOS) installed on your phone. Once you’ve paired your computer and your phone, you’re good to go.
Beyond Microsoft’s Phone Link, there are also specialised pairing programs from individual manufacturers. One example is Smart Connect, which runs on Windows 10 and 11 and allows Lenovo tablets and Motorola smartphones to be closely linked to a PC.
If you just want to exchange a few photos or files instead of completely synchronising your PC and smartphone, there’s still a simple solution that doesn’t require a software fix: a USB cable.
Plug the cable into the PC and then plug in the Android or iOS device and unlock it. The connected device is usually recognised automatically and Windows asks what action should be carried out.
You may also need to unlock and confirm on your phone. Apple asks whether you want to trust the connected device while Windows asks whether only power or also data should flow through the cable.
If no window opens, the phone can usually be found as a connected storage device in the left column of Explorer. Files can now be exchanged from here like with an external hard drive. – dpa
