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Here’s How to Access Android Phone Storage Directly in Windows 11 File Explorer
October 5, 2024
Microsoft has introduced an innovative feature that enhances the connectivity between Windows 11 and Android devices, allowing users to access their Android phone’s storage directly through the Windows File Explorer. This advancement is made possible by the Cross Device Experience Host, which not only facilitates file transfers but also enables the use of an Android phone’s camera as a webcam on Windows 11.
Access Android Phone Storage in Windows 11 File Explorer
To take advantage of this new functionality, users need to follow a few straightforward steps:
Begin by opening the Start menu and searching for “mobile device.” Click on “Open mobile device settings.”
Next, enable the toggle for Phone Link and set it up. This requires installing the Link to Windows app (available for free) on your Android device and granting the necessary storage permissions.
Once connected, toggle on the option that allows your PC to access mobile devices, and proceed to click on “Manage devices.”
In this section, simply enable “Show mobile device in File Explorer.”
Finally, open File Explorer, and you should find your smartphone listed in the left Navigation Pane, positioned just above “This PC.”
Click on it, and you can now access your Android phone’s storage seamlessly, enabling you to copy and paste files in both directions.
My Experience Using Android’s Phone Storage in File Explorer
The entire setup process is remarkably wireless, offering a sense of convenience that is particularly appealing. Notably, this functionality remains effective even when the phone is locked, allowing for easy access to files and documents. During my experience, the transfer process felt incredibly smooth, akin to navigating through my PC’s own files and folders. The integration is impressively native, a quality that is often elusive in Windows environments.
However, it is worth mentioning that the transfer speed caps at approximately 9 MBps, which is slightly slower than the 13 MBps I observed in earlier tests of the Phone Link feature. This discrepancy is intriguing, considering both functionalities likely utilize the same underlying technology. Nevertheless, for quick access to smaller files, this solution proves to be quite effective.
Additionally, the ability to utilize your phone’s storage within a file picker window enhances the overall experience. One minor issue I encountered was the delay in syncing changes made to files on the phone’s storage back to File Explorer. If you opt to sync these changes, the refresh process can take longer than expected. Despite this, I find the integration between my Android phone and Windows 11 File Explorer to be exceptionally beneficial.
As users explore this new feature, it raises the question: will this integration meet your needs, or do alternatives like Motorola’s Smart Connect app offer a better solution? Your thoughts are welcome in the comments below.
Here’s How to Access Android Phone Storage Directly in Windows 11 File Explorer
Microsoft has introduced an innovative feature that enhances the connectivity between Windows 11 and Android devices, allowing users to access their Android phone’s storage directly through the Windows File Explorer. This advancement is made possible by the Cross Device Experience Host, which not only facilitates file transfers but also enables the use of an Android phone’s camera as a webcam on Windows 11.
Access Android Phone Storage in Windows 11 File Explorer
To take advantage of this new functionality, users need to follow a few straightforward steps:
My Experience Using Android’s Phone Storage in File Explorer
The entire setup process is remarkably wireless, offering a sense of convenience that is particularly appealing. Notably, this functionality remains effective even when the phone is locked, allowing for easy access to files and documents. During my experience, the transfer process felt incredibly smooth, akin to navigating through my PC’s own files and folders. The integration is impressively native, a quality that is often elusive in Windows environments.
However, it is worth mentioning that the transfer speed caps at approximately 9 MBps, which is slightly slower than the 13 MBps I observed in earlier tests of the Phone Link feature. This discrepancy is intriguing, considering both functionalities likely utilize the same underlying technology. Nevertheless, for quick access to smaller files, this solution proves to be quite effective.
Additionally, the ability to utilize your phone’s storage within a file picker window enhances the overall experience. One minor issue I encountered was the delay in syncing changes made to files on the phone’s storage back to File Explorer. If you opt to sync these changes, the refresh process can take longer than expected. Despite this, I find the integration between my Android phone and Windows 11 File Explorer to be exceptionally beneficial.
As users explore this new feature, it raises the question: will this integration meet your needs, or do alternatives like Motorola’s Smart Connect app offer a better solution? Your thoughts are welcome in the comments below.