Microsoft’s Phone Link Panel Arrives on Start Menu With Support for Android Devices: Report

Microsoft is alleged to be rolling out a brand new function for Phone Link on Windows 11 which lets customers take a peek at their messages, calls, and different info from the Start Menu. Although the function was beforehand introduced within the first week of May, customers at the moment are reportedly getting access to the panel with the newest Windows 11 replace. It’s presently unclear whether or not the devoted panel for Phone Link on the Windows 11 Start Menu additionally works with paired iOS units.

Microsoft Rolls Out Dedicated Phone Link Panel to All Users

The Phone Link is a cellular pairing utility which comes preloaded on Windows 11. It lets customers join iOS or Android smartphone to their laptop computer or desktop laptop, syncing textual content messages and pictures, and enabling assist for making and receiving calls.

A devoted panel for Phone Link was noticed by Android Authority on Windows-based PCs and was found on Windows 11 model 26100.4061. When an Android system is related through Phone Link, it shows the cellphone mannequin, battery standing and connectivity particulars in a brand new panel which is situated on the fitting aspect of the Windows’ Start Menu.

Photo Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft says that the panel permits customers to maintain observe of their newest actions by enabling them to entry their cellphone calls, messages, and photographs immediately from the Start Menu. It additionally encompasses a Recent tab which shows lately obtained recordsdata or notifications on the cellphone.

Users should observe the next steps to entry the devoted Phone Link function on Windows 11:

1. Open the Start Menu and choose the system sort: Android or iPhone from the right-side pane.
2. Follow the on-screen directions to pair your system with the Windows PC.
3. Start accessing your cellphone and its contents from the Start Menu.

The devoted Phone Link panel additionally features a Send recordsdata choice which, because the title suggests, permits customers to shortly switch recordsdata between the cellphone and PC. They can both drag and drop recordsdata or choose the required ones from the Browse choice.

Microsoft first launched this function in 2024 to registered Windows Insiders within the Dev and Beta Channels and it initially included assist for solely Android. In January this yr, it was expanded to incorporate assist for iOS units too, enabling iPhone customers to entry their cellphone options through the Phone Link panel within the Start Menu.