A new file-sharing feature for Windows and Android devices has been revealed in a recently updated Microsoft support document, as reported by Windows Central. The feature, enabled by Phone Link and the Link to Windows Android app, allows users to share files seamlessly through the native share menus, similar to Apple’s AirDrop. This feature is currently rolling out to Windows Insiders and will soon be available to the public.
For a long time, AirDrop has been the preferred choice for file-sharing, but Microsoft and other companies have found it challenging to compete. This new feature, if user-friendly and reliable, is likely to be well-received.
To make use of the new file-sharing capabilities on Windows, users need a PC running Windows 11 or the May 2019 update for Windows 10. Any Android device with Android 9.0 or later and the Link to Windows app (version 1.24032.518.0 or later) installed can be used. Once set up, users can select “Phone Link” as an option under “Share using” on the PC and “Link to Windows – Send to PC” on the Android device when sharing files. Refer to the Microsoft document for detailed instructions.
While a bit more setup is required compared to AirDrop due to the variety of Windows and Android devices, once configured, file-sharing becomes more seamless. Although Phone Link supports iPhones, the support document does not mention extending this feature to iOS devices. It remains to be seen if this feature will be introduced in the future or if it serves as a playful dig for iOS users to stick with AirDrop.
