Your Phone app testing new Android ‘Apps’ feature with Insiders

Source: Microsoft

What you need to know

• Microsoft is now testing Android app streaming on Windows 10 with the Your Phone app for Insiders.
• You can open your phone’s apps in their own windows, and even pin them to your taskbar.
• The feature appears to be ready for testing among all Insiders.

One of the most interesting announcements to come out of Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event for Windows fans today was the reveal of Android app streaming in the Your Phone app for Windows 10. Now, Windows Insiders can start testing the feature ahead of its future rollout.

Microsoft announced that testing is starting for Android app streaming in its blog post for the latest Dev Channel Insider build. What’s more, it appears it’s not just limited to Insiders in the Dev channel. That means Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview channels can likely start testing starting today as well.

@VishnuNath can correct me if I am wrong but this isn’t specifically tied to today’s Dev Channel build which is why we slotted this under «Other updates for Insiders».

We are happy to announce another exciting feature, a seamless continuation of our vision and promise to help you be more productive and keep you in your flow. Tap into the power of Your Phone app with Link to Windows integration on select Samsung devices to instantly access your phone’s mobile apps directly from your Windows 10 PC. There’s no need to install, sign-in or set up your apps on your PC, saving you time and hassle. You can conveniently pin your favorite mobile apps to your Taskbar or Start menu on your PC for quick and easy access. When you launch an app, it opens in a separate window outside of the Your Phone app enabling you to multitask. So, whether you need to quickly reply to a conversation, respond to your social posts, or order food, you can do it fast using your PC’s large screen, keyboard, mouse, pen and touch screen alongside your other PC apps!

Later this year, Microsoft says it plans to let Samsung Galaxy Note 20 users «experience the power and convenience of running multiple apps side by side.» The feature will eventually make its way to «additional devices» as well.

Here’s a list of the key features for «Apps» in Your Phone, from Microsoft:

• See a list of your installed Android apps directly within the Your Phone app.
• Add your frequently used apps to the favorites section or search among your apps for even quicker access.
• Launch any mobile app directly from your PC.
• Apps and your mirrored phone screen launch in a separate window on your PC.
• Pin your mobile apps to Windows Task bar or Start menu.
• Stay in the know by keeping an eye on the app notification badging (unread notifications) in the All apps list or your Favorites.

Phones that support Your Phone’s Phone screen feature can start testing the «Apps» feature in Your Phone today. Currently, that list only includes Samsung phones with Link to Windows.

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Your Phone App: Mirror content from iPhone or Android phone to Windows 10 PC

Windows 10 came with a lot of improvements and additions. There is some good news for Android users too. You can easily connect your iPhone or Android phone with Windows 10 using the all-new Your Phone app. This feature was highly talked about and is one of the major things in the update. In this post, we’ve walked you through the process of linking your mobile phone with your computer and using the Your Phone app.

Your Phone app for Windows PC

Setting this entire thing up involves a few steps on both the devices. So make sure you follow all of them to get the setup right. There might be a few connection issues initially, but you can always reset everything and try again.

On PC

Open the Microsoft Store and search for Your Phone. Install the latest version of this application. And if you already have it installed on your computer, make sure you update it to the latest version. Start the application, login with your Microsoft Account and in the next screen click on the “Link your Phone” button.

Now in this window, enter your mobile phone number, and you are good to go on the PC part.

On Mobile

Check your messages if you have received a text regarding Your Phone app. Clicking on the link inside the message will take you to Google Play store from where you can install the companion application.

Once the application has been installed, login using the same credentials you used while setting up the PC. Grant all the permissions requested by the app such as read messages, read files, send messages, etc.

Once this is done, you are ready to connect your PC with your phone. Now back on your PC, open the Your Phone app again and wait till it automatically detects your phone. In the meantime, you might also get a notification on your mobile requesting you to allow this PC to read your data. Tap on Allow to successfully set up a connection between your phone and PC.

To link your iPhone and Windows 10 PC, you will have to install Microsoft Edge or Continue on PC as the companion app on phone.

Mirror content from Phone to Windows 10 PC

Your Phone app

Once you are connected, you can enjoy the features of Your Phone app and get your work done directly from your PC. Currently, the app supports only two functions, and they are Photos and Messages.

The Photos section will display all the photos from your device. You can click open any photo. Or you can copy them or share them directly from there. This comes handy when you quickly want to copy those last few photos that you captured on your phone.

And the Messaging section is also very useful. It would display all the incoming messages on your device. You can read them, view entire conversations or even reply to them. You can also create a new message and send it to anyone. Remember that all your contacts are also synced so that you don’t have to remember any number or lookup to your phone before sending an SMS.

This was all about Your Phone app included in Windows 10. The feature is still in development so that we can expect more improvements and refinements over time. Also, there can be a few more inclusions made in the things that this app allows us to read from our phones. Overall, a nice experience using this application and it is a step ahead in connectivity between our phones and PCs.

Your Phone app for Windows now runs apps off your Samsung phone

Ro , 18 August 2020

With the latest update of Your Phone app, Microsoft and Samsung bring the overall Windows + Android experience closer to Apple’s ecosystem. The new update lets you mirror emulate apps on your PC without having to touch your phone. Currently, the feature is available only to select Samsung devices.

In the Your Phone app menu, you will find an Apps tab on the left. Clicking on it will reveal the full list of installed apps on your Samsung Galaxy phone. You can open each and every one in a separate window and even let them sit on the taskbar.

As of now, only owners of the Galaxy S9, S10 and S20-series can take advantage of this nifty feature but Microsoft promises a wider support for more Android devices is coming. We don’t know if that means more Samsung devices or other non-Samsung phones will eventually get support as well.

Reader comments

I just tried playing Shadow PC streaming using Your Phone on my Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G and it worked amazingly well.

funny how you describe to be loyal to the brand for so long and hate so much of it in the same time. If I don’t like something I change it don’t cry

.. not only software wise. HW-wise too. Today you pay more for less phone. At the prices they’re charging they should give phones gold-plated headphone jacks instead of no headphone jack for instance. Gold-plated high quality headphones ins.

Your Phone app for Windows now runs apps off your Samsung phone

Ro , 18 August 2020

With the latest update of Your Phone app, Microsoft and Samsung bring the overall Windows + Android experience closer to Apple’s ecosystem. The new update lets you mirror emulate apps on your PC without having to touch your phone. Currently, the feature is available only to select Samsung devices.

In the Your Phone app menu, you will find an Apps tab on the left. Clicking on it will reveal the full list of installed apps on your Samsung Galaxy phone. You can open each and every one in a separate window and even let them sit on the taskbar.

As of now, only owners of the Galaxy S9, S10 and S20-series can take advantage of this nifty feature but Microsoft promises a wider support for more Android devices is coming. We don’t know if that means more Samsung devices or other non-Samsung phones will eventually get support as well.

Reader comments

I just tried playing Shadow PC streaming using Your Phone on my Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G and it worked amazingly well.

funny how you describe to be loyal to the brand for so long and hate so much of it in the same time. If I don’t like something I change it don’t cry

.. not only software wise. HW-wise too. Today you pay more for less phone. At the prices they’re charging they should give phones gold-plated headphone jacks instead of no headphone jack for instance. Gold-plated high quality headphones ins.