Angela Lang/CNET
The long-sought-for holy grail for those who use a laptop and phone is a seamless handoff between the two for anyone who doesn’t want to stop what they’re doing on one screen to do something else on the smaller display. Now Microsoft helps bridge the divide by letting you make and answer phone calls right from your PC. You can also send calls straight to voicemail.
The new feature simply named Calls is part of the Your Phone app. You’ll need to download the app before you can begin and make sure your computer is connected to your phone using Bluetooth. You’ll also need to make sure that your Android phone is on version 7 of the OS or newer (for reference, Android 10 is out now, so most current phones should work.)
Read more: The best antivirus protection of 2020 for Windows 10
Microsoft is the latest tech company that makes it easier to use your phone from your computer. Apple has Continuity, which lets you pass documents, photos and phone calls between your Apple devices. Samsung lets you mirror content between its mobile devices and MacOS and Windows. Even Google lets you use its Messages app in a browser on Macs and PCs.
Here’s how to get started.
How to set up the Your Phone app and link your phone and your PC
To connect Windows 10 to your Android phone, start with Windows 10’s Your Phone app.
1. In the Windows 10, open the Your Phone app, tap Android on the right and then tap Continue.
2. Enter your mobile phone number and then tap Send to have Microsoft send you a link that you’ll use to connect your Android phone to your PC.
Microsoft’s Your Phone Companion app helps connection your Android device to Windows 10.
Screenshot by Clifford Colby/CNET
3. On your Android device, open the text message and tap the message link, which takes you to the app page in Google Play.
4. After it’s installed, tap Install and then tap Open (or find Your Phone Companion app on your Android home screen and tap to open).
5. In the app, fill in your Microsoft account information and tap Sign in.
6. In the next window, tap Continue and then tap Allow if you want to let the app access your contacts, manage phone calls, access files on the phone and send and view SMS messages.
7. Next tap Continue and then Allow if you want to let the app run in the background.
8. Finally, tap Allow to let your Android device connect with your PC, then tap Continue and finally tap Done.
9. In Windows 10 under Phone calls settings, you may also need to give the Your Phone app permission to make calls.
How to browse your Android photos and messages on your Windows 10 PC
Your Phone app lets you manage your photos and view and send messages from your phone.
1. In Windows 10, open the Your Phone app.
2. In the left-hand pane, tap Photos, Messages or Notifications to manage those items from your phone. If you don’t see anything, tap Refresh to pull in photos and messages.
How to make and receive Android phone calls on Windows
The Windows 10 Your Phone app can use your Android phone to make and receive calls.
Microsoft
With everything set up, you can now start handling your Android phone duties on your PC using Your Phone.
1. From Your Phone, in the left pane, tap Calls.
2. To make a call, search for contacts or use the dialer.
3. When a call is incoming, a dialog box will pop up that lets you accept or decline a call or send a message instead of answering.
For another take on Microsoft embrace of Android phones, check out the upcoming Surface Duo.
Originally published last year. Updated to include that it’s out of beta testing.
