Microsoft Adds Android Smartphone Visibility in Windows 11 File Explorer for Wireless Browsing

Microsoft announced on July 25 that it will be rolling out a new Windows 11 File Explorer feature through internal channels. for your Android smartphones. The development builds on previously added server-side functionality for Android smartphones, which allowed users to ask Copilot, Microsoft's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, to send text messages or bulk messages to their phone's inbox.

Windows 11 File Explorer Update

Microsoft announced in a blog post that the new features in Windows 11 File Explorer are available to users who register as Windows Insiders in all Windows Insider pipelines. By wirelessly connecting an Android smartphone to a PC using the Link to Windows app, users can browse files, folders, and media on their phone using File Explorer.  In addition to browsing capabilities, they can open, rename and delete files from the device, as well as move/copy files from PC to smartphone and vice versa. However, there are some prerequisites for using this feature.

How to use it

Microsoft revealed in a blog post that the new capabilities in Windows 11 File Explorer are now available to Windows Insiders across all pipelines. Users may use File Explorer to access files, directories, and media on an Android smartphone after wirelessly connecting it to a PC via the Link to Windows software. In addition to browsing, consumers can open, rename, and delete files on the device, as well as move/copy data from PC to smartphone and vice versa. However, there are a few requirements for using this function.

According to Microsoft, the user should:

1.    Is a smartphone running on Android 11.0 or higher in firmware
2.     Is there links to the Windows app version (version 1.24071 and higher)
3.     You must register with Windows Insider with a computer running on Windows 11
4.      You have selected any of the four Windows 11 internal information channels

Once the above circumstances are met, users can go to your computer settings and then to the Bluetooth & Devices tab. Next, they should select the Mobile Devices option and give permission for the PC to access their Android smartphone. A toggle to enable its visibility in File Explorer should then appear. According to Microsoft, if users don't see this option, the feature might not be available to them yet. Although it has been launched, it is still being tested. Therefore, users may encounter problems while using this feature. Some known issues include sync issues, the auto-delete feature not working, and more.