Windows 11 now lets you access Android phones via File Explorer

It’s been a long time coming! Microsoft is finally keen to improve integration between Windows 11 computers and Android phones. If you hate transferring files between the two, there’s good news ahead.

Microsoft has started beta testing a new feature that lets you “see your Android phone in File Explorer” and “wirelessly browse through all your folders and files, including media that is on your Android phone.”

Not only will you be able to view what’s on your phone, but you’ll also be able to move, copy, delete, rename, and even open directly without first bringing files and folders over to your PC.

The best part is that you won’t even need a USB cable for this. You can access your Android phone wirelessly, which is fantastic news for anyone who needs to work with their phone via Windows regularly.

In order for this to work:

• Your phone needs to be running Android 11 or later.
• Your phone needs the beta version of the Link to Windows app that’s available on the Google Play Store.
• Your PC needs to be running Windows 11.

As of right now, this feature is only rolling out to those who are in the Windows Insider Program, but is available to all Insider Channels.

Once registered for Windows Insider and opted into any Insider Channel, you can enable this feature by going to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile Devices and choosing Manage devices, then allowing your PC to access your Android phone.

After that, you’ll see a toggle in File Explorer to view your phone. If you don’t see the toggle, the feature hasn’t rolled out to you yet.