Soon, Windows 11 will introduce a more seamless way to interact with an associated iPhone. Microsoft is currently testing a feature that integrates the Start menu and Phone Link, providing real-time updates on your phone’s battery status, network connections, and some notifications. Additionally, the expanded Start menu, or floating sidebar, now offers the capability to share files easily between your PC and phone.
For some time now, many of these features have been accessible on Android devices, albeit some were exclusive to Windows Insiders during the testing phase. For instance, file transfer between a Windows 11 PC and a phone has been under test since late December 2024, but at launch, this feature wasn’t incorporated into the Start menu.
Essentially, when connected to Android devices, Microsoft’s Phone Link offers a wider range of functionalities. However, Apple imposes restrictions on apps like Phone Link, resulting in fewer features when an iPhone is linked to a Windows 11 PC. Over time, Microsoft has been making efforts to bridge this difference, and now some top Phone Link features are compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
Lately, Microsoft has been trying out a new feature for iPhone users, along with its Windows Insiders group. This includes the capability to exchange files between a synced phone and computer directly from the Start menu.
The blending of the Windows 11 Start menu with Phone Link has sparked some debate. Some users find it cumbersome, labeling it as cluttered, while others criticize its requirement to open the Phone Link app. In its present state, the Phone Link sidebar appears redundant. If your phone is connected for the Start menu integration, you’ve already got Phone Link installed and configured.
I’m undecided about the new feature because I believe it could be effective if it becomes more interactive and offers additional capabilities. The fact that Microsoft is working on connecting iPhones via a floating sidebar is encouraging, suggesting they are committed to making the feature more practical. However, Microsoft has a history of introducing features similar to this integration and then abandoning them, such as Your People, Meet Now, Chat, and the Copilot sidebar. I hope that Microsoft will maintain a longer-term investment in this feature this time around.
Fortunately, if you’re not a fan of the feature or feel it’s not beneficial enough to keep pinned on your Start menu in Windows 11, you can actually turn off the floating sidebar by adjusting settings within the Windows 11 Settings application.
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2025-01-29 16:39