Microsoft’s Windows tries out File Explorer wireless connection to Android phones

Finally.

Microsoft Windows Insider Program's 9th anniversary celebratory wallpaper. Image: Microsoft.

Microsoft Windows Insider Program's 9th anniversary celebratory wallpaper. Image: Microsoft.

The conventional way to move photos, recordings, and other files from your Android phone to a Windows PC or laptop has always been via USB cable. But that may change soon, thanks to a new update by Microsoft.

As announced on its Windows Insider blog, Microsoft is now beta-testing a new connectivity feature. it allows your Android smartphone to wirelessly connect to your Windows PC or laptop, and show up inside File Explorer (the menu where you find your Desktop, This PC, Documents, Downloads etc.). 

A wirelessly connected Android smartphone would show up inside the File Explorer panel, and you can access the files within. Source: Microsoft.

A wirelessly connected Android smartphone would show up inside the File Explorer panel, and you can access the files within. Source: Microsoft.

With it, you can wirelessly browse a connected Android smartphone, access files, folders, and media, and even open and copy them onto your PC/laptop, just like how you would if you plugged in your Android phone via USB.

According to the blog post, Windows uses Bluetooth for the connection, since it tells Windows Insider users to enable it by going into Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Mobile Devices on their Windows Insider copy of Windows 11.

You can manage the access given to a wirelessly connected Android phone in Windows 11's Settings app. Source: Microsoft.

You can manage the access given to a wirelessly connected Android phone in Windows 11's Settings app. Source: Microsoft.

To try out the feature, you need to:

  • Have a PC/laptop using Windows 11,
  • Have a Bluetooth hardware module installed (most laptops should have this),
  • Register for the Windows Insider Program
  • Be enrolled into any one of Microsoft’s four Windows Insider Channels
  • Have an Android 11 phone (or newer), 
  • And have the beta version of Link To Windows app installed on your Android phone (version 1.24071 and higher).

It’s currently unclear when Microsoft would push this functionality out to regular Windows/Android users.

Source: Windows Insider (blog)

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