![]() ![]() Once you install SwiftKey on your phone and go through its initial setup process, you'll have to dig up and activate the clipboard-syncing option: The key lies in the SwiftKey keyboard app, which Microsoft bought back in 2016 and has slowly but surely been putting its stamp on ever since. ![]() It's confoundingly buried and separate from the Link to Windows app, but Microsoft has a helpful way for you to connect your Android phone's clipboard to your computer and make it especially easy to move text between the two systems. And we have Microsoft to thank for the limitation. Maybe that'll change one day - but for now, at least, it is what it is. Presumably, it's just a matter of Microsoft making extra money by keeping those features available only for its own self-made phones and those that are part of an agreement between it and Samsung. Why are those advanced options limited to such a small pool of products, you might be wondering? For no apparent reason - that's why. On an annoyingly limited subset of Android phones, including Microsoft's Surface Duo and a handful of recent Samsung Galaxy flagships, you can also wirelessly transfer files between your phone and computer and even open apps from your phone on your computer. Microsoft's Link to Windows system lets you interact with your Android phone directly from your Windows computer. Turning your phone's Bluetooth on or off.Seeing your phone's battery and connection status.Adjusting your phone's volume and ringer settings. ![]() Once you do all of that and authorize a handful of pertinent permissions, you'll be able to handle a whole bunch of stuff from your phone right on your Windows computer - including: It'll make sure you're signed into the same Microsoft account in both places and then prompt you to find and connect the equivalent app for Windows to get everything squared away on the PC side of things. Open it and follow the steps it provides for establishing a link between your phone and your Windows computer. ![]() The first thing you'll want to do is download and install the Microsoft Link to Windows app (formerly known as Your Phone Companion) on your Android phone. Now let's get your PC fully connected with your phone for the full Microsoft-Android experience. Establish your Windows-Android connectionĪll right - so your home screen is all set with a hearty helping of Microsoft magic. JR Raphael/IDGĪ taste of Windows Phone on Android via the Square Home launcher. You'll sacrifice the tight integration with Microsoft services provided by the official Microsoft Launcher, but if your phone's interface is a top priority, you might just be happy with the tradeoff (even if only for an occasional bit of weekend nostalgia). The launcher - which isn't actually developed by Microsoft - emulates the tile-centric "Metro UI" from the Windows Phone platform. We'll get into more phone-to-PC connecting possibilities in a second, but first, an alternate home screen option for anyone who's really missing the classic Windows Phone look: Try Square Home. The Microsoft Launcher's feed and main home screen panel. But beyond that, it adds a hefty dose of Microsoft into the mix, with Bing-powered search by default, integrated access to various Microsoft services, and prominent placement of recommended Microsoft apps.Īnd then there's the most distinguishing element of all: To the left of the main home screen panel sits Microsoft's take on the standard Google Discover feed - a card-based collection containing items such as news, weather, agenda info, and quick glances at your notes, tasks, and recent documents from the appropriate Microsoft services. On the surface, Microsoft Launcher has the same sorts of features you'll find in other Android launchers - the typical tools for customizing your home screen's appearance, creating gesture-based shortcuts, and so on. The core of your Android setup is your home screen - and the app that'll turn that area of your interface into a hub for your Microsoft-Android experience is the aptly named Microsoft Launcher. Create your Microsoft-focused Android home screen Here are the steps and ingredients you need to get started. ![]()
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