Windows 11 will be able to add an Android smartphone synced with a PC to Explorer

Microsoft has begun testing a new way to access an Android smartphone that is synchronized with the Windows 11 operating system. Now you can do this directly from Explorer. At this stage, the mentioned innovation is available to participants of the Windows Insider program.

Image source: Microsoft

Integration with Explorer means that the user’s Android smartphone will appear in Windows 11 as a connected device via USB. After synchronization with Windows, you can move files between your smartphone and PC, rename them or delete them. This approach is more convenient than interacting with files on a smartphone through the Phone Link application.

To try the new feature now, you will need a smartphone with Android 11 or later, membership in the Windows Insider program, and a beta version of the Link to Windows app. The new feature is being tested on all Windows Insider channels, so just register on the Release Preview channel, where the most stable versions of Microsoft software products are tested. It may also mean that the innovation is almost ready for widespread adoption.

To activate the mentioned function, you need to switch to the “Explorer” settings menu, go to the “Bluetooth and devices” section, select “Device Management” and enable the option to synchronize your PC with your smartphone. After this, the smartphone will appear in Explorer, and the user will be able to interact with the data stored in the memory of the mobile device.