Microsoft continues to improve the flow between Android devices and Windows 11. To top it all off, they’ve released a pretty cool new feature that they’re calling “Continue on PC.” This feature is still in preview. It’s designed to allow users to smoothly continue their previously active Android applications on Windows 11 PCs. The experience expands upon Microsoft’s prior “Phone Link” application, which has existed since 2022.
Microsoft’s new “Phone Link” app lets people connect their Android phones with Windows PCs. It powers the ability to respond to texts and calls, view notifications, and control phone apps all from a Windows-based experience. Consumers will find it simple to pair and connect their Android devices over Bluetooth. To complete the initial setup procedure, they now have to download the “Link to Windows” app on their smartphones.
Features of the Phone Link App
The “Phone Link” app is crucial to making the mobile/desktop experience feel seamless. Best of all, it lets you effortlessly go back and forth between the two – keeping your productivity flowing. With this app, users can manage their communications without needing to switch devices frequently. Answering calls and responding to messages right from a PC increases productivity 3X. This feature is acutely important in a workplace.
Further, users are getting notifications from their Android devices on their Windows 10 PCs. This accessibility feature of text messaging means they won’t miss out on critical information without needing to be glued to their handheld devices. Lastly, the ability to synchronize notifications helps create a more efficient workflow by allowing users to handle many activities at once.
The New ‘Continue on PC’ Feature
Returning to the PC, the new “Continue on PC” feature is a major step forward in this integration. It lets users start directly from where they last were with a tap, in any supported Android app. For example, if a user is reading an article or editing a document on their phone, they can launch that same app on their Windows 11 PC without losing any data or context.
This feature relies on compatible native software, ensuring that all activities and current data are preserved during the transition from phone to PC. This ability is a welcome improvement to usability and a testament to Microsoft’s promise of delivering an integrated ecosystem for their consumers.
Compatibility and Future Prospects
The “Phone Link” app allows for a deeply integrated experience with select Android devices. Windows 11 PCs pair up with other Windows 11 PCs via Continue on PC feature. As Microsoft iterates on these features, users can look forward to additional enhancements that will make the connectivity and interoperability richer and more functional. Feedback from the testing phase of “Continue on PC” will be crucial in shaping its final rollout.
