Microsoft has finally started rolling out the new Your Phone app update publicly for Windows 10. The update was first unveiled in the recent Samsung Unpacked 2020 event, letting Windows users pin Android apps to the Start menu or taskbar for quick access. You basically can run multiple Android apps in separate windows on your desktop instead of just mirroring your phone’s screen.
The new Your Phone app was in the testing phase only for the latest Dev Channel Insider build. However, users with Windows 10 version 1809 or later started receiving the new feature update a few days ago, but it’s set to roll out for everyone later this year. As of now, only select Samsung phones natively support the feature. However, Microsoft will continue expanding the list of supported devices over time.
If you want to try out the new Your Phone app on Windows 10 to run your favorite Android apps on your PC, then be sure to check out this guide.

Prerequisites

Here are some essential things required for the new Your Phone feature to work:

• Make sure that both your Windows PC and Android phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Even if your PC is connected to your network router over Ethernet, it should be fine.
• Download and install the latest version of Your Phone app on your Windows 10 PC. (Microsoft Store)
• If you have a Samsung phone, then check for the latest software updates. Microsoft is currently offering native support for a vast list of Samsung devices, including Galaxy S9, Note 9, Galaxy S10, S10e, Note 10, Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, Note 20, Galaxy Fold, Z Flip, A30, A50, A60, A70, A80, A90, etc. Click here to check out the full list.
• Update your Windows 10 to either the latest build or make sure that it’s the October 2019 build. You can check for the latest Windows 10 updates by going to Settings > Updates & Security > Check for updates. 

Link your Android phone to Windows 10

You can follow the steps below to link your Android phone to the Your Phone app in Windows 10. We have provided separate instructions for Samsung and other Android devices.

For Samsung users

1. First, launch the Your Phone app on your PC and sign in to your Microsoft account.
2. Next, swipe down the notification bar and tap the Link to Windows option.
3. You will be asked to sign in to your Microsoft account on your Samsung phone. Log in with the same account you are using on your Windows PC.
4. After that, tap Allow for all the permissions prompted on your Samsung phone.

If linked successfully, you should see your Windows PC’s name under the Link to Windows option.

For users with other Android devices

While only Samsung phones are natively compatible with the Your Phone’s app mirroring feature at the time of the writing, it might work with other Android devices as well. The following steps will show how to link your non-Samsung device to Windows 10:

1. Launch the Your Phone app on your Windows PC and sign in to your Microsoft account.
2. Select Android from the options and click Continue.
3. Install the Your Phone Companion app (Play Store) on your Android device and launch it.
4. Tap “Is there a QR code on your PC?” option, then scan the QR code shown in the Your Phone app on your PC.
5. Now tap Continue and Allow all the required permissions for the Your Phone Companion app to work.
6. Follow the final on-screen instructions to link your Android phone to your Windows 10 PC.

Opening Android apps in Windows 10

Once your link your Android device to your Windows 10 PC via the Your Phone app, you should be able to open Android apps on your desktop. Here’s how:

1. Select the Apps option from the sidebar of the Your Phone app on your Windows PC. You will see all the apps installed on your Android device.
2. Next, click your preferred app from the list. It should get launched in a few seconds.

After the Android app opens up in a separate window, you can drag it like any other app window in Windows 10, as well as Alt-Tab to other opened applications. You can left-click to emulate a single tap, right-click to go back, drag to select something, and scroll up/down to scroll through the content in the mirrored Android app. In addition, you can use your keyboard for text input.
If you want to pin an Android app to your taskbar, simply right-click the icon and select the Pin to taskbar option.

Wrapping up

While the Your Phone’s new “Apps” feature on Windows 10 can help you multitask efficiently between your PC and phone, it still is in an active development phase. Not every Android app will seamlessly work with the feature, or respond to mouse and keyboard input from your PC.
Also, the “Apps” feature mostly works on Samsung devices as of now. Hence, others will have to wait for Microsoft to add new Android handsets in the compatibility list gradually.
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