Windows 11 PCs and iPhones are about to cozy up and simplify file sharing

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  • Windows 11 will soon support file sharing with iOS through Phone Link.
  • The feature is in testing now among Windows Insiders.
  • Microsoft also shipped a Windows Insider build to the Canary Channel.

As a seasoned analyst with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that this latest development between Windows 11 and iOS is a step in the right direction. Having spent countless hours juggling both platforms in my professional life, I’ve often found myself longing for a seamless connection between them, especially when it comes to file sharing.

There isn’t always smooth sailing between Windows PCs and iPhones, particularly when you consider their compatibility with each other. However, this might change significantly as a key feature gap – effortless file sharing – between Windows 11 and iOS is about to be bridged.

As a researcher, I’ve discovered an exciting development: Microsoft has started implementing a feature that allows seamless file sharing between Windows 11/10 PCs and iPhones through the Phone Link and Link to Windows apps. If you’re part of the Windows Insider Program, own an iPhone running iOS 16 or higher, and have the latest versions of both Phone Link and Link to Windows installed, you can test this functionality right away!

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Using an iPhone with the Phone Link feature becomes more similar to connecting an Android phone to a computer, although there are still unique attributes that only the Android-PC connection possesses.

This week has been packed with activities for Windows Insiders! Yesterday, Microsoft initiated testing for its upcoming “native” Copilot app, which essentially functions as a website. Additionally, an Insider version of Windows 11 was distributed to the Canary Channel this week. The changes in this version are relatively small; I’ve provided the release notes below for your perusal.

For those Windows Insiders who own a compatible iPhone, you have the opportunity to test out the latest Phone Link functionality. However, it is essential to be subscribed to the Canary Channel to operate Build 27764. Here’s a rundown of what’s new in this build, as Microsoft has announced.

Windows 11 Build 27764: Changes and Improvements

  • Start menu
    • When right-clicking on apps pinned to the Start menu, jump lists will be shown for apps that have them such as PowerPoint.
  • Dynamic Lighting
    • When no compatible devices are attached, the Dynamic Lighting settings page will now show a placeholder message and Brightness and Effects controls are disabled.
    • On the Dynamic Lighting settings page, we have added Forward, Backward, Outward and Inward direction options to the Wave effect, and added the Forward direction option to the Gradient effect.
  • Input
    • We are beginning to roll out a change where we now hide the IME toolbar when apps are in full screen mode for those who have the IME toolbar enabled and type in Chinese or Japanese.
  • Narrator
    • We have added new functionalities to Narrator scan mode. Skip past links (N’) allows you to navigate to the text after a link. This is most helpful when navigating through long emails, news articles, and wiki pages. Jump to lists (L’) allows you to quickly access a list on a web page or a document. To try these new features, you need to turn on Narrator first (Win key + Ctrl + Enter), then turn scan mode ON by pressing Caps Lock + Spacebar and finally use the new shortcuts – ‘N’ and ‘L’. Please note that scan mode is ‘ON’ by default on most web pages (like news articles, wiki page, etc.).
  • Speech in Windows
    • We have improved our speech-to-text and text-to-speech experience on Windows. Users of Narrator, voice access, live captions, live translations, and voice typing might see a message asking them to update their language files manually. The language files will be released separately through Microsoft Store.

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2024-12-12 00:08