Now my Windows 10 PC is also my phone companion

Hey Friends,

Hope you all are safe during the global pandemic of COVID-19. Recently all over the world lockdown is being slowly lifted and things are coming back to normalcy.

In India Unlock 1.0 has been started with some restrictions. I hope that everyone will adopt this new normal of wearing a mask, sanitization and most importantly physical distancing.

So, let’s hit the point of this blog. During the lockdown period of more than three months I am continuously sitting in front of my laptop as I am working from home. Round the clock I am accessing my Windows based laptop hence my Android phone became my secondary device during this period. It is very cumbersome to check and keep a track of updates from both laptop and phone.

I use ‘WhatsApp’ through web so no worries for my social engagement which is important for us now a days. However, I am still stuck to my phone to do other tasks like checking notifications, reading SMS and attending or making calls. I had to remove my laptop earphone multiple times to access my phone which was very troublesome and distracting during the working hours. 

So I was looking for a solution which can allow me to access my Android device through my PC. Fortuitously I came across one application developed by Microsoft which was offering functionality I was looking for. I tried the app on my ‘Windows 10’ PC and felt amazed with the technology and the flexibility offered by this app. After using this for more than a week I decided to pen down my experience of this new alternative. I am sure this will excite you as well and provide a big relief in accessing most of your phone features right from your Windows based laptop.

So, here we go.

‘Your Phone App’ and ’Your Phone Companion’

This solution is a combination of two applications, one is a Windows 10 based app, ‘Your Phone’ and another is an Android app ‘Your phone Companion’. Great news is that it is also available on iOS platform. So, definitely question will arise in your mind that how will it help us? And here is an answer. By using the ‘Your Phone’ app you will be able to access your phone’s key features like notifications, reading or replying to SMS, managing few phone settings and the killer feature is to make or receive phone calls right from your Windows PC. Basically, your phone app automatically synchronizes your phone to PC for real-time updates. So, no need to check your phone for those notifications, SMS or phone calls while working on your important office presentation or writing that crucial e-mail.

Prerequisites to make this work

·       ‘Windows 10’ PC with latest updates.

·       ‘Your Phone’ app on PC.

·       ‘Your Phone Companion’ app on mobile device.

·       Preferably common wi-fi network but syncing on mobile data is also possible.

·       Bluetooth connectivity in PC and phone for calling facility.

Installation and configuration

If your Windows 10 is updated with latest patch from Microsoft then you will find the app ‘Your Phone’ in your PC. In case you don’t have this then simply get this from Microsoft Store for free. Now on your phone install ‘Your Phone Companion’ app from available app store. In my case I installed this on my Moto G5+ through Google Play store. As per Microsoft official documentation, Samsung phone owners may have to specifically install this from dedicated Galaxy Store. As stated, it is also available on Apple’s AppStore.

Once it is installed simply follow all the instructions on your phone and provide required permissions. Next open the ‘Your Phone’ app on your laptop and follow the on-screen instructions. You may have to scan the QR code through your phone to sync your PC and your phone. After pairing, your phone may ask for additional privileges. Just provide all of them and finish the set-up. As mentioned above, both these devices preferably  on the same wi-fi network at least during the configuration. If you want to use your mobile data then once set-up is done then open the 'Your Phone Companion' app on your phone then go to settings and turn on the 'Sync over mobile data' . If you want the calling feature accessible through your PC then turn ON Bluetooth connectivity on both the devices and finish the pairing if it is not done already. This complete procedure looks difficult but let me tell you it is just a cakewalk as you are well guided by friendly instructions.

Accessibility

Most importantly it is highly accessible using screen readers like ‘Narrator’, ‘NVDA’ and ‘Jaws’. If you have any issues in finishing this procedure then use the ‘Trouble shoot’ option given in the Windows application. I am sure you will be able to do this without any glitch.

You may read accessibility help regard to:

a.      Using Narrator and TalkBack

b.      Setting up and using Magnifier

c.       Accessibility for Phone screen

‘Your Phone’ app on PC

Once configured, you can open the ‘Your Phone’ app on your laptop and customize the settings as per your requirements. You can enable or disable many features like reading SMS, calls, photos through this setting panel. You can even turn on or off the notifications from certain apps. Your phone PC app also has dedicated tabs for notifications, messages, photos and calls. Through ‘Notifications’ tab you can access all phone notifications and even reply to your ‘WhatsApp’ messages.  ‘Messaging’ tab is exclusively for accessing your SMS. You can send, receive and even reply to your messages right from this interface. You can also choose your preferred SIM while sending SMS. Your Phone app on the PC is a handy way to respond to text messages from your PC with a full keyboard that also allows you to keep focused on your PC instead of pulling out your phone. Photo tab is also a nice bonus to access photos available on your phone from the PC.

‘Call’ tab is one of my favorite sections in this app. If you have provided required permissions on your mobile application then you can even search through your contact list and make or receive calls right from your laptop without using your phone. I am using this feature extensively and really amazed with its suppleness. Since it connects the call using Bluetooth connectivity audio quality is very sharp and clear on the laptop. Using call module, you can transfer the ongoing call from PC to phone and vice versa. While making a call you may have to select your preferred SIM on your phone as this feature is presently not available or may come in next update. On this ‘Call’ tab you can even access call history which is very convenient in dialing favorite numbers. After posting this I discovered one more utility of this app so thought to update you all. If your playing any music on your phone then you will have audio controllers under this 'Your Phone' app which will help you to control the music playback on your phone through your PC. As per the official documentation, many of the mobile apps are accessible through this ‘Your Phone’ app but I am yet to try that on my PC. ‘Your Phone’ app is automatically fetching the updates from your phone but you can even use the ‘Refresh’ option for manual update. Apart from this ‘Your Phone’ app on my laptop, I am able to receive all the phone notifications instantly on my Windows notification tray inside ‘Action Center’ [Win + A]. These include app notifications, SMS and incoming calls.

Let your phone buzzes on laptop

Overall, it is just a great utility for everyone as we don’t have to handle multiple devices. Everything is there in your computer screen. I am using your phone app since a week now. I am astonished with its flexibility.

Imagine you are in middle of bank transaction then with this utility now you will be able to access OTP SMS quickly on your PC without touching your phone. This is very handy to finish those banking transactions in given time limit. Right from the news updates, latest tweets or sensitive alerts all phone notifications are instantly available on your big PC screen. Now whenever my phone buzzes for anything I don’t rush for it as within a blink same notification pops up on my Windows PC. I simply open the Windows action center [Win + A] or ‘Your Phone’ app directly to access those notifications received from my phone. During last week I answered many calls directly on my laptop while working on presentations and even while coding, loved the flexibility. I am always a big fan of software designed by Microsoft but this time they took this to the next level. Special thanks to MS designers for making this utility all inclusive. So, if you’re tired looking for your phone for nonstop app notifications or frustrated leaving your workstation for attending that nonsense telemarketing call then this is the precise solution for you. Try this and let me know in comments section below that how do you find it. So, stay safe and stay connected always.