Microsoft to allow file sharing between iPhones & Windows PCs

If you’re an Apple loyalist with an iPhone and eagerly awaiting a feature that enables file sharing to and from a Windows PC, there’s some good news. Microsoft is testing a new feature to make file sharing between iPhones and Windows PCs a reality.

Microsoft is testing a feature that enables file sharing between iPhones and Windows PCs

In a recent blog post, Microsoft says it is rolling out a beta version of the Phone Link app for Windows Insiders that includes the ability to share files between iPhones and Windows PCs. Phone Link is a Windows app that wirelessly connects an iOS or Android device to a PC. Once paired, you can access notifications and answer calls right from your PC.

Microsoft notes that Windows Insiders must ensure that their iPhone runs on iOS 16 or later. On top of that, such an iPhone must have the Link to Windows app with version 1.24112.73 or higher. They’ll also need to install version 1.24112.89.0 of the Phone Link app on Windows.

It’s worth noting that the iOS users will see the Link to Windows app as a sharing extension. If you aren’t enrolled in the Windows Insiders Program, don’t worry. Microsoft will eventually roll out the feature to the stable channel of Windows 10 and 11 in the coming months.

Microsoft has long been working to improve the Phone Link app

It’s worth mentioning that Microsoft has been doing its bit to improve the Phone Link app for both iOS and Android in recent times. However, improvements made for the iOS version haven’t been significant due to Apple’s OS limitations.

In 2023, the Redmond-based tech giant updated the Phone Link app for sending and receiving texts via iMessage between single contacts. It still doesn’t support texting within a group using iMessage, though. In addition, iPhone users still can’t use the Phone Link app to mirror apps onto a Windows PC.