Synchronizing your mobile phone with your computer should not represent a challengeHowever, that doesn’t happen when you combine Windows with an iPhone. Although Microsoft’s operating system works seamlessly with Android through the Phone Link app, iPhone owners can’t share files in the same way. The good news is that that will change very soon.
Microsoft announced that will add the option to share files between Windows and iPhone coming soon. The technology giant began testing the integration for Phone Link on Apple phones that have iOS 16 or a higher version. The new feature will allow pair iPhone with your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer to send files without so many problems.
This feature is now available to Windows Insider program users. The only requirement is to install the application Connection to Windows on your iPhone and sign in with your Microsoft account. If you have not paired your mobile with the operating system, the app will offer you to configure Phone Link to send your files.
The new update of Phone Link will try to reduce friction between Windows and the iPhone. Although Microsoft has offered improvements, the combination between two very different ecosystems is not so simple and there are still some things to resolve. Unlike Android, iPhone users cannot use Phone Link to mirror their phone’s screen to their computer or send text messages.
Perhaps the most striking thing about this update is the Windows 10 support. The operating system is in its last year of life, but that has not been an impediment to offering a key feature for those who have an iPhone. Those who have installed the Connect to Windows app on iOS will know that support for Windows 10 was limited.
How to share files between iPhone and Windows 10 and 11
If you want to use the new function to share files between iPhone and Windowsyou need to sign up for the Windows Insider program. This step is mandatory, since the feature is in testing phase before its deployment to the general public. The file sharing function is available on Phone Link version 1.24112.89.0 or higher.
If you meet the above and have an iPhone with iOS 16 or higher, you need to download the app Connection to Windows from the App Store. Once done, just follow the steps to synchronize your phone with your computer and you can send files between the two devices.
To send Windows files to iPhone
- Select the file or files you want to share on your PC (local files only)
- Right click on the file and select “Share.”
- Select “My phone”
To send files from iPhone to Windows
- Select the file you want to share with your computer
- Press the share icon and choose the “Connect to Windows” option
- Select the PC to which you will send your file.
This feature eliminates the need to use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer. Phone Link makes it easy to send files wirelessly, however, it does not offer the same features you get if you install Apple apps on Windows. For example, you can’t sync TV shows, movies, or music.
