Wireless data exchange between iPhone and Windows is becoming easier. (Image: Partially generated with AI)
Last year, Microsoft released its “Smartphone Link” function for iPhone users for the first time. Since then, it has been possible to make phone calls, view notifications or read and write messages in iMessage from your PC.
In the current Insider Build of Windows 10 and Windows 11, Microsoft is now testing the possibility of sharing files wirelessly between iPhone and Windows PC, as the company does in its own Windows Blog announces. This has long been standard on Android devices.
The data transfer between PC and iPhone takes place via the free »Link to Windows app«. Once this is installed, the smartphone only needs to be paired with the Windows PC via Bluetooth.
Once this has happened, the data transfer works as follows:
Transfer files from iPhone to PC
- Select the corresponding file on the iPhone and press the “Share” button.
- Tap “Link to Windows” among the apps in the second row. If the app doesn’t appear here, you can find it in the “More” category.
- Click on your connected Windows PC.
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Transfer files from Windows to iPhone
- Select a file on your PC and press the right mouse button on it.
- Click on “Share”.
- Then select “My Phone”.
Technical requirements for use
There are some requirements for using data transfer:
- Only iPhones with iOS 16 or higher are supported.
- The “Link to Windows” app must be installed in version 1.24112.73 or newer.
- The “Smartphone Link” software under Windows requires at least version number 1.24112.89.0.
- You must be registered with the Windows Insider Program.
It is not known when Microsoft will roll out the function for all Windows users. Initially it is purely a beta test. So there is no guarantee that the feature will actually come.
However, the probability is very high because it is an essential function that has been available for Android smartphones for a long time.
What do you think of the new smartphone link function in Windows 10 and Windows 11? Would that be a feature that would make your everyday life easier? Have you been missing this feature for a long time? Or do you use third-party software to exchange data between your smartphone and PC? Please let us know your opinion in the comments.
