This app for Windows 10 Android texts and calls beats Google Messages. Here’s how it works


Samsung-Note-20-Ultra-5G-5640

Take full control of your phone from your computer.

Angela Lang / CNET

Apple Pull users are quick to brag about how integrated they are IPhone, IPad And Mack All work together. And for a long time, they have acknowledged the right to brag. Also Your phone of micro .ft Application on Windows 10 (8 158 on Amazon) Fast catching up and, in some ways, Apple leaves the moment behind.

Google has tried to bridge the gap with messages for the web, giving Android owners the ability to send and receive text messages from any computer. But that’s where the service stops.

If you want to see notifications, make phone calls or access your camera My Roll, well, you have to go to an application called MicroSoft from your phone. Below, I’ll walk you through setting it up and explaining what each tab in the app allows you to do. If you are using a new Samsung Galaxy phone, Note 20 Ultra, You can also run Android apps on your computer – that’s great.

Overall, it’s pretty cool, and one I’ve been using since last week. After my time using it, one thing is clear: Google’s messaging option is good but nothing on the total package that Microsoft created in Windows 10.

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Your phone works with Android 7 or any newer Android phone.

Andrew Hoyle / CNET

Set up your phone app on your PC and Android device

As long as you have the Windows 10 October 2018 update installed, your phone app is already installed on your computer. It’s not a bad idea to make sure your PC is running the latest version of Windows by clicking The beginning > Settings > Update and security > Check for updates And installing any pending updates.

Open your phone app on your PC and sign in to your Microsoft account.

Your Android phone must be Android or .0 or later, if your phone was built in the last few years, you should go. You can double-check which version of Android you are running in the settings app, specifically under the system or about the phone.

Open the browser on your Android phone and enter www.aka.ms/yourpc in the address bar. Your phone will then take you to your phone app list on the Play Store, or if you have a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, you will be taken to the Link to Windows app in the Play Store.

Android-your phone-setup

All you need to do is follow the prompts and allow your device to be setup on your Android phone when requested.

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani / CNET

Download and install the application, then sign in using the same micro .ft account linked to your Windows 10 computer.

Follow the prompts in your phone app on your computer and on your phone. Giving your phone access to your text messages and giving phone calls, ranging from instructions to access, will be a range of requirements you need to approve.

Once the app is installed, you’re signed in and all approvals are approved, you’re ready to take full control of your phone from your computer.

Trace your Android notifications

Instead of looking at your phone to see if you have any new notifications, use the Notifications tab to try alerts on your phone. The first time you open a tab you have to go through some additional setup, but as long as you follow the prompts on your computer and your phone, it’s a breeze.

You can control which app notifications are allowed on your computer, and which will be on your phone in the app’s settings panel on your computer.

Your phone-text messages

You can send and receive text and picture messages using your computer.

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani / CNET

Continue that text conversation

By far my favorite feature of using your phone is the ability to send and receive text messages on my computer. It works the same as Google’s messages for the web, but instead of using the website, you access your messages directly in your phone app.

You’ll receive notifications for new messages, complete with a text field for quick replies, and you have the option to send GIFs and photos and videos, whether it’s from your phone or your computer.

You can see any photos you send, but you have to use your phone to watch the videos.

The best part? It doesn’t matter what text messaging app you use on your Android phone. You need to use that special application for Google Messages for the Web, but your phone will work no matter what.

So far, I’ve come across two potential drawbacks. If you use Google’s Messages app, any archived conversation will still appear as an active conversation in your phone app. And, randomly, my phone and PC will go out of sync, preventing messages from appearing on my computer. However, this is usually done by clicking the refresh button at the top of the screen.

Your phone-photos

Photos and screenshots are readily available.

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani / CNET

Access your photos and screenshots

Select the Photo tab to view photos and screenshots stored in your phone. You can drag any of these tabs to your computer’s desktop or open another application on your computer.

Your phone limits what it shows for the last 2,000 items, but in most cases it should be more than enough. If you’ve recently taken a photo or screenshot and it doesn’t appear, click the refresh button at the top of the window.

Phone call call prompt

Make and receive phone calls on your computer, via your Android phone.

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani / CNET

Please, receive phone calls

Instead of picking up your phone to make a call or answer, use your PC. Before you can call or receive a call, click the Phone tab in your Phone app on your computer and follow the instructions. For phone calls to work, you must have Bluetooth enabled on both your phone and computer.

Once the additional setup is complete, any incoming calls will appear as notifications on your computer. Alternatively, you can make a call by dialing a number in the Phone tab or selecting from your contacts.

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This duo will also allow you to run Android applications on your desktop.

Run Android apps on Windows 10

The biggest advantage of using your phone is that you can use the applications installed on your computer directly on your computer. So if you want to be forced to scroll through a ticket ok, or access an access page to control your lights, you don’t have to choose your phone.

Right now, the feature is limited to Samsung phones, but we know Micro .ft Surface Duo Feature also supports When it will start September 10th.

For people with Samsung Galaxy phones, you can access your Android apps by clicking the Apps tab in your phone app on your computer. For more information about the feature, be sure to check out our full guide Using your phone to run Android apps on your PC.


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Adjust your settings as needed

Finally, click around to become the Settings tab. To control which app notifications will be shown on your computer there, turn on or off photo access access, disable phone calls if it is too much for you, and control when notifications are marked as read.

If you’re using a Samsung phone, you’ll also have the option to allow copying and pasting of information between your phone and computer.

Now that you have full control over your Android phone on your Windows 10 PC, take a moment to Fine tune your computer to make sure it runs smoothly. We There are also some tips and tricks for Windows 10 that are worth checking out. And don’t forget to check out our top features of Android 11, The next big update from Google.