Windows 11 just got a major update and it tries to bridge the gap between Android and Desktop. Building upon the foundation of the existing Phone Link integration in the Start Menu, the new update will weave mobile controls directly into the menu to handle notifications.
A new announcement from Microsoft highlights all the new Android ecosystem integrations and changes coming to Windows. One of them is the ability to preview incoming text messages and alerts right from the Start menu.
If a message requires a reply, users can spawn a standalone, dedicated chat interface complete with group conversation support and media sharing. Additionally, the Quick Settings panel will gain direct hardware controls to instantly mute the phone or trigger its ringer if it gets lost in the house.
Sharing more about the update, the version adds a feature where Android users with supported hardware unlock several advanced tools. Some of them include browsing the phone storage directly through File Explorer and opening captured photos instantly via desktop notifications.
Furthermore, Android users can also run their apps inside fully resizable desktop windows and easily transfer files between devices. Additionally, Microsoft is also pushing a new Resume feature which allows users to hand off supported tasks and activities between their smartphone and PC.
While the broader Windows updates are currently rolling out, the company has not yet confirmed a concrete timeline for when these specific mobile integrations will hit all devices. Speaking of which, deeper Windows 11 integration in Android is rumoured to arrive very soon, including the ability to remotely shut down and update Windows in one tap.
However, we briefly enabled the newest version of Phone Link and downloaded Link to Windows Beta on our Phone, and could luckily access all these features, minus the seamless app streaming because our Nothing Phone (3) isn't supported yet.
In our experience, everything from transferring files to replying to notifications, checking photos, messages and other stuff worked phenomenally well and quite seamlessly. A wider rollout should happen in batches, so stay tuned.
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