Microsoft is testing new features to make your Android phone work better with Windows PCs

Microsoft is set to enhance the functionality of its Phone Link application, allowing users to remotely lock their PCs and access clipboard content directly from their Android devices. This new feature is particularly beneficial for Android users who may not have the native cross-device sync capabilities that come with certain devices.

Upon establishing a connection between an Android phone and a Windows PC using Phone Link, users will find that not all features are activated by default. While functionalities such as using the phone as a webcam or accessing files through Windows File Explorer are available, they require manual activation. Users can enable these features by navigating to Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices > Manage devices in the Windows Settings app and toggling the relevant options.

Remotely locking and accessing your PC’s clipboard from your Android phone

For those utilizing the stable version of Windows 11, several options are readily available. However, users on the Insider Preview Builds are discovering additional features. For instance, a new toggle labeled access PC’s clipboard allows connected Android phones to retrieve text and images copied on the PC. Currently, this feature operates in a one-way manner, syncing clipboard content from the PC to the phone but not vice versa. Full two-way synchronization typically requires the use of SwiftKey’s “sync across devices” feature or Phone Link’s “cross-device copy and paste,” which is limited to devices that come pre-installed with Phone Link, leaving Google’s Pixel phones at a disadvantage.

This new capability is particularly advantageous for Pixel users, who have previously lacked the seamless clipboard integration found in devices from manufacturers like Samsung and OnePlus. Additionally, improvements are being made on the mobile side; users on the latest Canary build report that the updated Link to Windows app now displays a history of clipboard items, enhancing the overall user experience.

Moreover, the app introduces a lock PC button, enabling users to remotely secure their Windows PC from their phone. This feature requires the activation of the corresponding Remote PC controls toggle within the mobile devices menu in Windows settings.

As a long-time user of both Windows and Android, the ongoing integration efforts by Microsoft are commendable. In contrast, Google appears less motivated to enhance compatibility with Windows, given its focus on developing the Chrome OS ecosystem. With reports of Google merging Android and Chrome OS into a unified platform, this trend of limited collaboration is likely to persist.

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