use your Android mobile through Windows 10 Starting with the new update in October 2018. Thanks to this new system, you will be able to use your smartphone from your PC without any major problems.
App Mirroring: so you can use your Android mobile through Windows 10
A few months ago, Microsoft presented Your Phone as an application / tool that allowed to connect the mobile phone and the computer. You could transfer photos instantly, as well as reply to SMS messages very easily. However, as far as possible, it was a fairly limited option that did not allow, for example, to respond to WhatsApp messages. However, the big surprise comes with the Windows 2018 October 10 Update, which will allow the smartphone screen to be directly mirrored on the computer.
Sometimes you can't stop for a text. Now you don't have to. Get Your Phone app and text right from your PC. Available now in the # Windows10 October 2018 Update. #MicrosoftEvent pic.twitter.com/JCXP3cJ3Zl
- Windows (@Windows) October 2, 2018
As you can see in the video of the inserted tweet, the idea of your Phone it's as simple as making everything a continuum. Without even having to lift your mobile, you can see received messages, for example. But, in addition, you can add the extra that it supposes App Mirroring. Although there is no promotional video, it was shown Snapchat running on a Surface Go to demonstrate the capabilities of this system.
Microsoft is bringing mobile devices even closer. Control your entire phone from your desktop? pic.twitter.com/ixlnq2hegu
- Owen Williams âš¡ (@ow) October 2, 2018
The end of apps like Pushbullet?
The solution of Microsoft it can be quite revolutionary. Not because no one has done something similar, but because we are talking about absolute integration within the operating system itself, something that far exceeds other third-party solutions. Yes, apps like AirDroid they already offer methods to reflect the entire screen of our mobile; and applications like Pushbullet allow you to easily connect both devices. However, the new function of Windows 10 it can kill them all.
Pushbullet remote files feature.Why? First of all, by sencillé. It is no longer just that it is integrated into the system, but many people will discover this possibility thanks to Windows 10. When you want to investigate other applications, it will be a more complicated process than what will be available from the PC.
Second, by lack of support. One of the biggest criticisms of Pushbullet is that its team of developers has not addressed community complaints for a long time. The bugs are not solved and the application is not updated. The subreddit is usually abandoned and the feeling is that the app is no longer what it was. Microsoft, Being the tech giant that it is and having so many devices on the market with its operating system, it can easily earn the number one app position for connecting devices. It only remains to wait to see the first reactions to this new system.
How to use your Android phone on Windows with Phone Link
The natural evolution of Your Phone is Mobile Link (Phone Link)Microsoft's current experience integrating Android with Windows. This tool comes pre-installed on many PCs with Windows 10 and Windows 11and allows you to manage important elements from your computer, such as notifications, photos, calls, SMS and mobile apps.
The connection is made between the app Mobile Link on PC and the app Windows connection on Android mobile. It comes pre-installed on many Samsung and HONOR devices, and can be easily downloaded from others. Google Play and Galaxy StoreOnce both teams are paired, a constant connection via WiFi which allows you to work almost as if the mobile phone were integrated into Windows.
For everything to run smoothly you need a PC with Updated Windows 10 or Windows 11, an Android device with Recent Android (Microsoft recommends modern versions for greater compatibility) and, above all, that both are in the same WiFi networkBy following the wizard displayed on the Mobile Link PC, you can pair the phone by scanning a unit’s QR code from the Windows Connection app, then accepting the access permissions to notifications, contacts, calls, messages and photos to enable all functions.
What can you do when linking Android and Windows?
Once the link is created, Mobile Link becomes a central panel from which to control a large part of the mobile. You Read and reply to SMS messagesreview and manage all notifications, view and download recent photos, perform and receive phone calls using the PC's microphone and speakers, and even Open some Android apps directly in a window Windows on compatible devices.
From the Mobile Link settings you can choose what is synchronizedNotifications, photos, messages, calls, or even advanced features such as copy and paste between devices, play mobile audio on PC, configure the phone as area with instant wireless coverage or allow content synchronization with Mobile data when there is no WiFi.
For this integration to work, Android requires a series of security permitsIn recent versions of the system, it is mandatory to approve the permission of runtime notificationsIn addition to accessing files, contacts, or phone calls on some manufacturers, you can even control certain Samsung devices. full access to files From Settings > Applications > Special access > All file accesses, where you can manage what Windows Connection can do.
Another key advantage is that the link is associated with your microsoft accountThis means you can manage multiple Android devices, quickly switching between them from the tab. My devices From Mobile Link, or add new compatible Samsung tablets by scanning another QR code and repeating the permissions process. All content will then be available when you use Microsoft products and services with that same account.
How to get the most out of Android-Windows integration
We are going to explain to you How to get the most out of the integration between Android and Windows 10, primarily using the native applications that Microsoft has created for this purpose, but also mentioning other alternatives. Now that Microsoft no longer has Windows Phone, its attempts to make communication between computers and mobile devices easier are mainly focused on Android.
The idea of ​​this article is that if you have a Windows computer and an Android mobile phone, you'll know all the methods available to try to get both devices to communicate properly with each other, allowing you to control many of the mobile phone's functions from Windows and easily access native files from your computer.
As we mentioned, we're going to talk mainly about Microsoft solutions, since they're the ones that best leverage this integration. But We will also mention other available alternatives to achieve similar results. In any case, as we always say at Xataka Basics, feel free to leave your ideas, applications, and suggestions for improving this integration in the comments section so we can all benefit from your experience.
Receive Android notifications and SMS messages on Windows
Currently, if you have Android apps installed that also have Windows versions, you can already see some of the notifications on your PC, but only with the Microsoft Your Phone app. You can also see all your mobile notifications on your PCAnd I'm not just referring to those from some apps, but to ALL of them, including the SMS messages you receive.
To do this, you need to download and run the Microsoft Your Phone app, which you can find in the Windows app store. Once you sign in with your account, you can link your phone Enter your number to receive a link via SMS.
Using that link, install the Your Phone app on your Android device. Once you do, Sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on WindowsAnd after doing so, grant the application all the permissions it requests to access your data and link it to the computer.
Once the app is installed on your phone with all permissions granted, you can open the Your Phone app on Windows, where you'll see a notifications section in the left-hand column. There you can view notifications arriving on your Android device, although the first time you access it you'll only see a link that takes you to your Android notifications page. You must enable application access so that it can read them and send them to the computer.
The Your Phone app It also allows you to view and reply to SMS messages. from your mobile phone on your computer. In this messages section, the application will resemble an email client, with a left column where you see the senders, and when you tap on them they appear on the right and you have a space where you can write replies that are then sent via your phone.
Look at all the photos you have on your phone.
One of the main reasons why a typical user would want to integrate Windows with Android is that to be able to view photos from the mobile phone on the computer without using cables. There are three options for this, the first being to use applications like Google Photos to do it through your browser. Simply install this application and all the photos you take will be uploaded to the Google cloud, and you can view and download them whenever you want from any browser on your computer.
The second alternative is by installing a cloud service like OneDrive Or other alternatives that can automatically upload photos via their mobile app, and then have a PC client that can be configured as a separate hard drive where the photos are downloaded. OneDrive comes pre-installed on Windows and asks you if you want to upload photos automatically when you install it on Android, so it's one of the simplest options available today.
And the third option is use the Your Phone appThis is the same app we suggested installing in the previous section to access your notifications. This app also lets you access the latest photos on your phone, and even better, it acts like a browser window, allowing you to drag and drop photos to your desktop or another window and copy them directly. For all intents and purposes, it's as if they were on your computer.
Keep the rest of your files synchronized
And since we mentioned clouds in the previous point, good synchronization is the ability to to have shared files between your PC and your mobile phoneTo do this, again, the first option is to use Outlook or other alternatives that allow you to create a virtual drive in your file explorer. OneDrive comes pre-installed on Windows, so you already have your space created as if it were a separate hard drive, but Google Drive, iCloud, and almost all other alternatives also allow you to do this.
The idea here is that you have a unit that allows you to All the files you save there will be available on your phone and vice versa.It's a secure exchange area that you can take advantage of whenever you need it, and you can even manage it from the internet thanks to the online clients of most of these services.
You also have the option of connecting your mobile phone to your computer to directly exchange the files you want. You can do this using a cable, but You also have the option to connect them wirelessly through applications like AirDroid, which in addition to allowing you to access your mobile phone's files wirelessly, also allows you to synchronize notifications or control your mobile phone from your computer.
And even more rudimentary is the send files to yourself Through apps like Telegram, which has a client that can be installed on Windows as well as mobile, you can send yourself all kinds of files, photos (compressed or uncompressed), and documents, which you can then access from any device. It even has a search function to make finding them easier. Oh, and although it's not a well-known feature, you can also send messages to yourself on WhatsApp.
Make and receive calls from your computer.
The Microsoft Your Phone app also lets you make calls through the computer using your phone. It will be as if the computer were acting as a speaker and microphone. To do this, after activating the feature in your Windows version settings, in the left column click the button of CallsWhen you're inside for the first time, press the button. Setup to start pairing.
Now, a new interaction between your device and the computer will begin. You will be prompted to connect to the PC via Bluetooth, and when you do so You have to check the box Allow access to contact and call historyYou will be shown a PIN on your phone that must match the one on your computer, and after accepting the link on both devices you are ready to begin.
Now the phone dialer will appear in the appYour contacts and call history are synchronized. The call actually takes place on your mobile phone, but it will play through your PC speakers, and you can answer using a microphone connected to your computer via Bluetooth.
Send links from one device to another with Edge
All cross-platform browsers have benefits like synchronized history, password sharing, and so on. But Microsoft Edge has a brilliant feature: it allows send you a website from one device to another directly and without needing to send you the link through any application. To begin, when you're on a website on your mobile device that you want to send to another of your devices. tap on the three-dot icon that appears in the bottom bar.
A menu full of options will open. In this menu, You have to press the button Continue on PC To begin the process of sending the link to another of your devices, these computers must use the same Microsoft account.
Now, a window will open where You must choose the name of the computer where you want the link to open automatically. in a new Microsoft Edge tab. You can also choose the option to Continue later so that the link is sent to all your computers that share the same Microsoft account via a notification, and that the link opens only when you click on this Windows 10 notification.
Best of all, is that You can also send Windows links to Android. through the Your Device app. To do this, in the browser, tap the three-dot button in the upper right corner, and choose the option to ShareWhen the sharing menu appears, choose the option to Your telephone To send it to your Android phone, make sure it's synced. A notification will open on your phone, and tapping it will open the website.
Install Microsoft Launcher for Android
From here on out, we'll look for deeper integrations, and the best thing to do at this point is to install the launcher created by Microsoft for Android precisely for this purpose. maximize the integration of both operating systems as much as possible. To do this, you need to access this Google Play link on your mobile device to open it in the app store, and then tap the button. Install.
proceed with its installationAfter pressing the button Introduction To decide whether or not you want to send your data to Microsoft, you'll need to grant the app a series of permissions it needs to access all your data and function correctly. After doing so, you'll choose a wallpaper and proceed to Mark which are your favorite apps so that the launcher displays them on the home screen.
After doing so, sign in and select your Microsoft account, and that's it—you'll have finished the setup and will be taken to the launcher. The first thing it will do is ask for permission to set it as your default launcher. When the window opens, You need to select Microsoft Launcher and choose the option Alwaysso that it's always when you use that launcher instead of the one on your mobile.
Microsoft Launcher You'll now have access to the new launcher and its new way of displaying apps. In the folders, you'll see all your Microsoft apps, both installed and uninstalled. Tapping on the uninstalled apps will open them in the app store for download. If you scroll all the way to the left, you'll reach the Quick View panel, very similar to the widgets panel on iOS, where you can place different types of information you want to keep close at hand.
If you scroll all the way to the left, you'll reach the panel of Quick View, very similar to iOS widgets, and where you can put different types of information that you always want to have close at hand.
Continue working with a file on your PC
One of the first benefits of having the Microsoft launcher installed on Android is that You can send files from your mobile phone to your computer.To do that, the first thing you have to do is go to the screen of Quick View All the way to the left. There, at the very bottom, click on Edit the view y activate the options Documents y recent activitiesNow you'll see both the latest documents you've worked on on your mobile and your most recent activity, such as photos or screenshots you took.
Now, from the quick view, you just have to press and hold one of the elements of recent activities or on the three-dot button to the right of the documents section, and in the pop-up window, select the option of Continue on PC to send this file or document to the Windows computer you want.
A window will open in which you must choose the device you want to send the document toWhat your phone will do is upload the file to OneDrive and send it to your computer via the cloud so it opens in a browser window. You can also choose the option Continue laterwhich will send a notification to all your computers so you can click on it whenever you want to open the document.
Evidently You can also do something similar with other services. in the cloud, although With no other method will you be able to send files to be opened deliberately. on your computer. But you have alternatives, such as Google Drive and its office suite or other similar services, that allow you to create or edit a document and then open it whenever you want on your computer.
You can keep your notes always synchronized
It's also very important to keep your quick notes synced. There are good options for this, such as Google Keepwhich allows you to access the notes you write on your mobile phone from your PC browser, or the messages you can send yourself on WhatsApp with its web version on your PC and on Telegram using its native Windows client.
However With Microsoft Launcher, note synchronization is done more natively.To do this, you use the sticky notes feature in Windows 10. The Microsoft launcher on Android lets you access them directly from one of its screens, and cloud synchronization of these notes works perfectly, offering options such as voice dictation.
Furthermore, These notes will sync directly to Windows 10 You can access sticky notes without opening any websites, as they are pre-installed on the operating system. Unfortunately, on mobile devices, you'll only see text-based sticky notes. If you have handwritten notes or images on Windows, these won't be visible in Microsoft Launcher at this time.
Keep your tasks well organized
If you're an organized person and like to have everything in order, you have access to some excellent task management apps recommended by the Xataka team. Among them is... Microsoft To-Dowhich you can download on Windows from the Microsoft Store and on Android from Google Play. Its main advantage is its complete integration with the Quick View of Android When you have Microsoft Launcher, you'll find it on the left side, and it also has a native Windows application instead of relying on a web version.
However, if the fact that the experience is native doesn't matter too much to you, given that web versions exist, any of the other major task management tools will serve you almost the same purpose. web versions Here, everything depends on which one you organize yourself with best.
View it in a list with your tasks On Microsoft Launcher screens, you don't need to install To Do on Android if you already have the Microsoft app launcher, although of course, this has additional benefits, but it's not mandatory.
There are also interesting third-party solutions.
In this article, we've prioritized native solutions created by Microsoft, as the company is working hard to maximize integration between Windows and Android. However, that doesn't mean you don't have other options. other alternatives that are also very interesting to keep your mobile phone connected to your computer.
One of these options, which we've mentioned before, is the veteran AirDroid. As we've said, it lets you access your phone's files wirelessly and also allows you to sync notifications or control your phone from your computer. You can also create an account and perform cloud syncs.
Another long-established application that will help you with mobile and computer interactions is Pushbullet. It's an alternative to AirDroid and Your Phone that allows you to send messages via your computer and receive mobile notifications on your PC. send links and files between devices or communicate with your friends.
And if you're into the world of free and transparent software, or open source, you have the alternative of KDE ConnectIt was designed to connect your mobile phone to GNU/Linux-based operating systems, but it also has a Windows client. It allows you to receive mobile notifications on your computer, control music playback on your PC from your smartphone, transfer files from your device, or even browse your phone from your computer.
Use all the cross-platform applications you can.
And beyond these applications we've mentioned, all created by Microsoft to maximize the integration of Windows with Android, you also have many others that you can use on both operating systems. When an application allows you to create an account and has a version for Android or WindowsYou can usually use that account to keep all your information synchronized across both operating systems.
From Spotify to TelegramAny tool that meets these two criteria will help you keep all your data synchronized. The only thing you'll need to consider is whether you want the Windows version to work through the tool's native website or if you prefer to find a program with an installable Windows application.
Our mobile phones are becoming increasingly powerful and independent, but that doesn't mean that sooner or later you won't need connect them to a computer to back up, transfer photos or manage your mobile phone with ADB.
If you need to connect your mobile phone to your PC, the number of options can be a bit overwhelming. Here's how. Each option, how they work, and what you can use them for.focusing on connections using the mobile phone's USB cable.
First, the cable
Although it may seem obvious to many, the first step is undeniably connecting the two devices with a USB cable. The easiest way is to use the original cable that comes with the mobile phoneIt already has the correct specifications and should generally be of good quality unless it has worn out over time.
You only need Connect the Micro USB or USB-C end to the mobile phone and the other end to the PC or laptop. Most of the time the end that goes to the PC is a standard USB connection (USB Type A), but it could also be USB-C.
It is important that it's a good cableOtherwise, the connection will be unstable. This will not only make transfers slower, but it can also have disastrous consequences for your phone if you use it to update the firmware with Odin or similar software. If the cable disconnects every time you move it slightly, then it's time to change the cable.
Choose the connection mode
After connecting your mobile phone to your computer, you may see a window like the following, asking you to choose the connection modeThe number of available options and the design of that menu depends heavily on your phone's customization layer.
Sometimes the window does not appear, but instead shows a permanent notification indicating that a USB cable has been connected. Tapping on this notification opens the options window, where you can choose between the different connection modes.
Transfer files
This is the default option and almost certainly the one you're interested in. By choosing it, your mobile phone It is presented as just another device On your PC, separate the phone's internal memory from the memory card, if it has one. You can access all user files (i.e., not protected system folders) from your PC's File Explorer.
The main difference between transferring files and transferring photos, the option we will see next, is that in this case All files are included regardless of whether they are photos, videos, documents, or APK files.
transfer photos
Transferring photos is a connection method that uses the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) standard, or, if it's a very old version of Android, perhaps PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol). It's a standard developed for transfer photos and videos from portable multimedia devices, such as USB players, digital cameras or… yes, Android phones.
There's really no compelling reason to use this mode instead of the previous one, and some manufacturers like Samsung even state in the text that it's basically a mode you should use as Second option if the previous one gives you problems: «select this mode if the option Transfer files not working".
Unlike Transfer Files, this mode only displays folders containing photos. When you enter these folders, Only files with photos are shown. or videos in the file explorer. This mode can be useful because it offers better compatibility with applications that automatically sync photos from digital cameras.
Just charge
The name says it all, "Charge Only". It will use the USB connection to charge the mobile phone. And it won't give you any access to the phone's files. The advantage of this type of connection is that charging is faster than if you connect the phone in one of the two previous modes.
other modes
Depending on your Android version, phone brand, and specifications, you may see even more options after connecting your phone to your PC via USB cable. These are as follows:
-
Reverse chargeThis mode is the same as "charge only," but in reverse. That is, the phone's battery will be used to charge the other device. This doesn't make sense when connecting to a PC, but it does if you're connecting another portable device like another phone or a digital camera.
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MIDI inputThis mode is used to connect MIDI devices, commonly used in musical instruments, which can be connected directly to the mobile phone via USB from Android Honeycomb.
You can also use the official app.
Some mobile phone brands have your official support applicationThis facilitates the connection between your PC and mobile device. If you only want to copy files, photos, and videos, there's not much difference compared to the previous methods, although they often include additional features such as allowing you to update the firmware, check contacts, or view and reply to SMS messages from your PC.
Generally, you just need to install the application on your PC and then connect the mobile phone to it using its cableSome of these apps require you to enable USB debugging, which we'll cover below. Here are some of the apps for different Android phone brands:
USB debugging connection
Also via cable, although slightly different from the previous one, it is the USB debugging connectionThis is a mode designed for developers and advanced users, which we have seen here frequently, as it is one of the requirements for making an ADB connection.
This type of connection is disabled by default, so first you need to activate developer options in the usual way (by tapping the Android build version) and then, once there, check USB debugging.
That's when you need to connect the cable, and the first time you do it you'll need to Enable USB debugging from your PCYou will see a notification displaying your PC's unique RSA key, and you need to accept the connection. If you wish, you can check a box to avoid being asked again.
After that, the phone will be connected to the PC in USB debugging mode. This doesn't do anything on its own; you need an application that takes advantage of it. Some applications for viewing the phone's screen on the PC require a USB debugging connection, and also is necessary to use ADB.
ADB
The fact that you can use an Android phone in the operating system Windows is a step forward for to implement the Android ecosystem on other types of devicesSomething that Apple has been offering for years in iOS and with results that are, why not say it, better than what those from Mountain View offer.
Everything related to these types of communication systems on Android is not at the level of Apple's due to the tremendous fragmentation that Android suffers from, since it is on so many mobile phones that these types of solutions become complicated for everyone to take advantage of them.
Although Phone Link offers fewer possibilities than Apple, it's a brilliant idea for achieving a much more efficient integration of our Android device with computers running the Windows operating system.
it works and what it can offer us.
What is Phone Link?
This system was launched in 2.018 to connect a device Android with Windows using the Bluetooth or WiFiallowing us to receive or send text messages, make phone calls, or interact with images, all from the computer.
If we want to use this application, we will have to download it from Google Play Store and install it on your Android mobile phone.
If by chance we can't find it in Windows 10 or Windows 11 (although it should be pre-installed), we can always download it from the app store. Microsoft Store.
Configure Phone Link
In order to work with Phone Link, as is obvious, we must configure it to suit our system.
Once we have it installed on our Windows computer and also on the Android device, it's time to make it work, and for that we need to configure As follows:
Sometimes notifications need a little nudge, since they're not fully configured.
To do this, we must perform the following actions on the phone:
What can we do?
When we have the Android phone and the computer connected, we will be able to receive notifications, view photos, see messages or receive calls.
If your phone is a compatible Samsung (not all are), you can also duplicate the screen from your smartphone in Mobile Link.
Thanks to Phone Link, we'll be able to press the DND button to get the phone into sleep mode. Do not disturb modeIf we click on Sound, we will be able to switch between DBD and Vibrate.
You can also send and receive calls, in addition to text messages (SMS) through the Phone Link application.
All we have to do is go to Calls to view the dialer and call historyWe'll also be able to go to the message section to respond to existing ones or send a new one whenever we want.
When someone calls, a window will appear on the screen with the call details, from which we can answer, put calls on hold, mute, or answer the calls we want.
We'll also be able to transfer photos from our Android device to our Windows PC and vice versa. Just go to the... Photos tab To see the photos we have on our mobile phone, it's as simple as dragging the photos to where we want.
If we have a compatible Samsung device (not all of them are) we will be able to perform certain functions that the rest do not have.
For example, we will be able to mirror the device screen within what is Mobile Link and moving from the computer through the Android terminal.
Another feature of Samsung is that we can drag and drop files or folders From your phone to your computer and vice versa, to share different types of files without the need for cables.
Now you know what Phone Link is and everything it can offer to allow your Android phone to work wirelessly with your Windows computer. It's a shame it still has a long way to go to match Apple's ecosystem.
With all these options, from App Mirroring to Mobile Link, including cloud services, USB cables, Microsoft Launcher, and third-party services, any user can achieve a Very complete integration between your Android mobile and Windowsadapting the degree of synchronization and control to your daily needs without sacrificing the convenience of working on a single screen.