In last year's 2024 update for Windows 11, Microsoft added a handy side panel to the Start menu that let Android users quickly check their phone's battery, notifications, calls, messages, and photos. Now, the tech giant is ready to bring a similar feature to iPhone users on Windows 11 PCs and laptops.
Windows Insiders can now try out iPhone integration directly from the Start menu in Windows 11. This feature brings iPhone users the same perks Android users have, like checking the battery status and connectivity, accessing messages and calls, and staying updated on recent activities – all right from the Start menu.
You'll soon be able to swap files between your Android or iPhone and your Windows PC with ease. Think of it like a Windows version of AirDrop – quickly moving photos and documents without all the hassle.
Sending files will be much easier. | Image credit – Microsoft
Also, before, you had to use the Phone Link app to connect your phone to your PC, but now, it gets even easier. New users can link their devices straight from the Start menu by simply:
Opening the Start menu
Picking whether you're connecting an Android or iPhone
Following the easy on-screen prompts
You will be able to link your phone straight from the Start menu. | Image credit – Microsoft
If you're a Windows Insider in the Dev or Beta Channels, you can get your hands on these fresh Start menu features now. After that, Microsoft will probably start rolling them out to the rest of us in the next few months.
I think it is great to see different operating systems integration leveling up. For one, Windows offering smoother iPhone integration makes it way easier for people locked into the Apple ecosystem to branch out. And two, I believe this is exactly how it should be – you should be able to use whatever device you want without sacrificing convenience, features, or connectivity.
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Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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