Windows Insider program members using Windows 11 now have access to a new feature that allows them to display files from smartphones running Android 11 and higher in File Explorer.
The new feature will be gradually rolled out to all Windows 11 insider channels.
It will allow you to access all files and folders, including media, on your smartphone via wireless connection. Files from your smartphone can be viewed, renamed, moved, deleted, and copied to your computer, and vice versa, files from your computer can be "transferred" to your phone.
To start using the new feature, users need a smartphone with Android 11 or higher, the Link to Windows beta app on Android (version 1.24071 and higher), and be a member of the Windows Insider program with Windows 11.
Next, in the Bluetooth and devices settings on your computer, go to mobile devices, select "Manage devices" and give your PC permission to access your smartphone.
After that, the user will see a toggle to display the phone in the file explorer. If this toggle is not present, it means that the new feature is not yet available.
Microsoft also said that it is already aware of several existing problems. First of all, if you delete files from a smartphone to a PC, they will be moved to a new Recycle Bi folder and stored there for 5 days, even though the specified storage period is 30 days.
Another problem is that deleted files in the new folder on the smartphone may not appear in the file explorer on the PC. Also, sometimes the actions that the user has taken on the PC may not be synchronized with the smartphone. To fix the latter issue, you need to sign out and sign in to your Windows account on your PC.