Windows 11 to streamline file access between PC and Android devices

Shortly, File Explorer in Windows 11 may be expanded with a new feature that will deepen the integration between computers and Android devices. The plan is to allow phone files to be browsed directly on the computer screen.

This new functionality in File Explorer is under development and not yet available. It is related to the evolution of the Phone Link tool, which was tested as part of the KB5034855 update in the Insider program, reports the Neowin service. Eventually, an option will appear in Windows 11 settings to request access to the memory of a connected Android phone, allowing its files to be displayed in Explorer.

If this feature works smoothly in practice and quickly transfers files to the computer, it could become one of the most valuable changes in Windows 11 File Explorer. It will significantly facilitate managing extensive collections of photos and videos stored on phones, which often proves cumbersome and time-consuming to archive on the computer. The option to browse phone memory in Explorer without needing a USB cable could greatly simplify this process and, as a result, encourage regular backups.

Browsing phone memory in File Explorer is not the only new feature associated with the Phone Link tool. A feature enabling a smartphone camera to act as a webcam was also recently added. It's a pity such a feature appeared in Windows with delay, considering the period of remote work popularity triggered by the pandemic.

Nevertheless, this feature allows many users to improve the quality of video calls without incurring additional costs—phone cameras are usually much better than the cheapest webcams available.