I Can’t Believe I Lived Without This: Pairing Android with Windows File Explorer

Discover how pairing Android with Windows File Explorer transforms file management. Access and manage your Android files wirelessly with ease!

If you’re not using it yet, Windows Phone Link is handy tool for Android users with PCs. It syncs notifications, texts, and calls. Recently, Microsoft added the ability to use your phone as a webcam, which is useful but not essential. The latest feature, however, integrates Android files directly into Windows File Explorer wirelessly, which is a game-changer.

With this integration, your Android files appear in Windows File Explorer alongside your PC files, OneDrive, and other storage. Previously, this was only possible with a USB connection, but now it’s managed wirelessly through Phone Link. You can open, copy, rename, move, and delete files between your phone and PC seamlessly.

This feature is great because Bluetooth file transfers are slow, and toggling USB settings on Android is hassle. Nearby Share hasn’t worked well for many, so this seamless wireless connection is much-needed improvement. It makes transferring documents, music, pictures- and more between devices effortless.

Currently, this feature is in beta for both Android and Windows. If you want to try it before final release, here are the steps and requirements.

Set Up Your Android Phone in File Explorer

Requirements to Access Android Files Wirelessly in Windows File Explorer

To access your Android files wirelessly in Windows File Explorer you need few things:

1. Android Phone Requirements:

• Your smartphone must be running Android 11 or higher.
• You need to enroll in Link to Windows app beta via Play Store. If you don’t see beta option, it may be full or unavailable in your region.
• Install Link to Windows version 1.24071 or higher. If it doesn’t update automatically, you can manually install APK from the web.
• Grant Link to Windows app permission to access all your files. App will prompt you for this when you connect your phone to your PC.

2. Windows Requirements:

• You must be on Windows Insider channel (Beta, Dev or any other). Enroll in Windows Insider Program if you haven’t already by going to Windows Insider Program, then go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program, and link your Microsoft account.
• After enrolling force Windows Update to switch to Insider build. Note that switching back to stable build may require full reset or waiting for new stable update.

3. Setup on Windows:

• Ensure Phone Link is set up and working. On Windows 11, Phone Link should be pre-installed, but you can reinstall it from Microsoft Store if needed. App will provide a QR code to scan on your phone and will ask for various permissions to sync notifications, messages, etc.
• Once Phone Link is set up, enable the “Show mobile device in File Explorer” setting. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Mobile Devices > Manage Devices. This option might take a few hours to appear. If it doesn’t show up after 24 hours, ensure you’re correctly enrolled in all the beta programs.

This setup allows you to access your Android phone’s files directly from Windows File Explorer.

Browse Your Android Files Wirelessly from Windows

Once you’ve paired your phone with Link to Windows and Phone Link, you can easily browse your Android phone’s files in Windows File Explorer. Your phone will appear in File Explorer’s list of connected devices, right above “This PC,” and you can explore it like any other folder.

If your phone is set to connect automatically you can manage and transfer files as long as both devices are on same network. If it’s not connected- click “Offline” in navigation bar to reconnect manually.

folder layout on Android can be confusing at first. For example- photos might be under DCIM instead of Pictures and apps like WhatsApp may create their own folders in various locations. While this may take some getting used to overall structure is fairly straightforward.

Keep in mind that Windows File Explorer does not display every Android folder. To prevent unintentional modifications- certain hidden directories such as app data are not accessible. It may still be necessary to use USB-C for more sophisticated file management.

For simple file access- it’s worth little bit of setup work. You might wish to wait for this feature’s public release, which is anticipated by end of 2024, if you don’t move files frequently.

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FAQ: Accessing Android Files Wirelessly in Windows File Explorer

1. What is new feature for accessing Android files in Windows File Explorer?

This feature allows you to access and manage your Android phone’s files directly in Windows File Explorer wirelessly. You can perform tasks such as opening, copying, renaming, moving and deleting files between your phone and PC without needing USB cable.

2. What do I need to use this feature?

You need:

• Android phone with Android 11 or higher.
• Link to Windows app (version 1.24071 or higher) enrolled in beta program.
• Windows PC on Windows Insider channel (Beta, Dev, or another).
• Phone Link app installed and set up on your Windows PC.

3. How do I enroll in the Link to Windows app beta?

Open Play Store on Android phone, search for Link to Windows app and look for beta enrollment option. If you don’t see it beta may be full or not available in your region.

4. How can I set up Phone Link app on Windows?

Ensure the Phone Link app is installed on your Windows PC. On Windows 11, it should be pre-installed. If it’s not, download it from the Microsoft Store. The app will generate a QR code to scan with your phone and will request permissions to sync notifications and messages.

5. What should I do if my phone doesn’t appear in File Explorer?

Ensure both your phone and PC are connected to the same network. If your phone isn’t showing up, click “Offline” in the navigation bar of File Explorer and reconnect manually.