Windows users will now have access their Android device's storage directly through Windows Explorer without connecting their smartphone with a cable. The new feature began rolling out in October and is now available to Windows 10 and Windows 11 users.
So users already communicate with Android devices using the Connect to Phone app, and Microsoft continues to develop cross-platform communication capabilities and even more for Android devices. Android in Explorer is part of broader mobile device management functionality with Cross-Device Experience Host, which is updated through the Microsoft Store.
To use the new feature, however, devices must meet certain requirements. Android 11 or later is required and the Link to Windows app must be updated to at least version 1.24071. You must also install the latest updates for Windows 11 or Windows 10 and update the Device Connectivity Hub.
Once all the necessary components are updated, users can wirelessly manage files on their Android devices directly from Windows Explorer via a Wi-Fi connection - that is, a USB connection is no longer required. Windows users will see their Android phone as a shortcut in the File Explorer sidebar.
Users can rename, copy, move and delete files on their Android devices directly from their Windows PC. Deleted files are moved to the Recycle Bin folder that appears on your Android device, where they remain for 30 days before being automatically deleted.
One of the advantages of wireless file management from a computer is the transfer speed - it can reach 1.2 Gbps, which makes the new feature very competitive compared to the USB connection. Integration with Windows Search lets you search for files on Android devices directly from the taskbar.
It's worth noting that while Android in File Explorer complements the existing Link to Phone app, it works independently, so users don't need to enable Link to Phone to use it.