Redmond, Washington – Microsoft is making a big push for users to adopt its Windows Phone Link app by integrating it directly into the Start Menu. This move aims to provide easy access to essential phone features right from the desktop.
Users will be able to access messages, calls, photos, battery status, and connectivity information directly from the Start menu. This integration promises a seamless experience, allowing users to continue their activities from their phone on their PC effortlessly.
At the moment, the feature is limited to Android phones, but Microsoft has revealed plans to include support for Apple iOS in the future. The timeline for iOS compatibility remains undisclosed, but it is on the horizon.
To take advantage of this new integration, users must be running Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.3790 or higher in the Beta Channel. Additionally, the Phone Link app must be version 1.24052.124.0 or newer. Microsoft has hinted at expanding the feature to other Insider Channels in the future.
One of the concerns with recent Windows 11 updates has been the introduction of clutter, such as unnecessary taskbar icons and ads in inconvenient locations. However, users will have the option to disable the Phone Link integration if they prefer a cleaner Start Menu.
Microsoft has been focusing on enhancing the Phone Link app, recently introducing a “Scan Text” feature that allows users to extract text from images on their Android phone’s gallery directly to their PC via optical character recognition (OCR) technology.
The inspiration for Phone Link seems to come from Apple’s seamless connection between macOS and iPhone, with Microsoft also collaborating closely with Samsung to ensure a smooth experience for Windows 11 users with Samsung devices. Last year, support for other Android phones and even iPhones was extended, indicating Microsoft’s commitment to broadening the app’s compatibility.