Constantly using USB cables to connect the phone to a PC to transfer photos from a trip or other files can be annoying.
That's why integrating your Android phone with Windows 11 can make accessing files and managing your device much more convenient.
Fortunately, thanks to the Link to Windows feature, this process is easier than ever. Next, we explain the key steps.
What you will need
First of all, to use this feature you will need the following:
- A Windows 11 PC with the latest updates.
- An Android device running Android 11 or later.
- The Link to Windows app on your Android phone. If it is not already installed, download and install it from the Google Play Store.
Once everything is installed and ready, follow the steps below to seamlessly add your Android phone to Windows 11 File Explorer.
Note: This guide was produced using the Nothing Phone (2). Although the steps on other brand Android phones should be the same, the particular names of the settings and their sections may differ slightly.
1. Connect your devices
Open the Link to Windows app on your Android phone and sign in using your Microsoft account. Make sure you use the same Microsoft account that you use on your Windows 11 PC.
Click “Go to device settings” then “ADD COMPUTER”. You will be asked to access the website www.aka.ms/phonelink on your PC to connect your devices. Alternatively, you can also scan the QR code on your PC.
The Phone Link app will open on your PC, where you will need to sign in with the same Microsoft account as on your phone (if necessary).
Artur Tomala / Foundry
You can click “Continue” to continue with the setup, as your phone and PC are now connected.
2. Allow data permissions
Back on your phone, you should see a message asking you to allow viewing photos and sending text from your PC. Click “Show Permissions” and then click “Settings” in the pop-up window.
You will be redirected to the Windows app link information, where you need to click on “Permissions” and then allow all the required information i.e. “Phone”, “SMS”, “Contacts” and “ Storage “.
3. Allow notification permissions
Back to the PC application, in the lower left corner, click on the “Open settings on mobile device” button. You will be asked to grant a few more Android permissions to view content on your phone.
You should now see the “Device and app notifications” settings on your phone. From there, select the “Link to Windows” app and enable “Allow access to notifications”.
If everything went well, you should see the Phone Link app panel configured and ready to use on your PC (see image below).
Artur Tomala / Foundry
4. Allow access to your mobile devices
Next, go to your PC's “Settings”, select the “Bluetooth and devices” tab and enable “Allow this PC to access your mobile devices” and “Phone link”, if it is not already enabled.
Artur Tomala / Foundry
Click the “Manage Devices” button. A pop-up will appear where you should see your phone in the “My Devices” list (if it's not activated, do so).
If you want to see your phone's files in File Explorer, enable “Show mobile device in File Explorer” (if it's not enabled), then click “Allow Permissions” here below.
Artur Tomala / Foundry
5. Allow All File Access
On your phone, you should then see the “All File Access” settings. Select the “Link to Windows” application, then enable “Allow access to manage all files”.
You should now see a final message saying “Your mobile device and your PC are linked”, which means everything went well.
Foundry
6. Open your phone storage in File Explorer
That's all! If you have successfully completed all the steps above, you should be able to see your phone as a tab on the left side of File Explorer.
Artur Tomala / Foundry
Don't forget to check out our Phone Hacks & How Tos section to learn more about what you can do with your Android phone.
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