How to share files between Android or iPhone and Windows 11, 10

You can now easily share files between your iPhone or Android phone and your Windows 11 computer. In this guide, I will outline the steps to complete this process.

Although you have been able to share files between your phone and Windows 11 for quite some time, the feature was limited to Android devices. However, it’s now also available on iPhone devices (as a preview).

The setup is straightforward. You only need to pair your phone with your computer using the “Link to Windows” and “Phone Link” apps, and then you can share files directly through File Explorer or the share feature on your mobile device.

In this guide, I’ll explain the easy steps to transfer files from your phone to your PC and vice versa on Windows 11, but these instructions will also work on Windows 10.

Share files between Android or iPhone and Windows 11

The setup for file sharing between mobile devices and your computer is a two-step process, and here’s how. If you already have your phone paired with your computer, you can proceed with the file-sharing steps.

I’ll demonstrate this process using an Android phone and Windows 11, but the steps will be similar for iPhone and Windows 10 users.

Connect phone to PC

To connect your Android phone (or iPhone) to Windows 11, use these steps:

1. On Windows, open Start.

2. Search for Phone Link and open the top result to open the app.

3. Click the Continue button and sign in with your Microsoft account (if applicable).

4. Click the Android (or iPhone) button.

   

5. On Android (or iPhone), open the Camera app and scan the QR Code.

   

6. Click the Continue button.

7. Confirm the mobile device code as it appears on your Windows device (if applicable).

   

8. Click the Continue button.

9. Confirm your Microsoft account (if applicable).

10. Click the Allow button to access your phone call logs.

11. Click the “While using the app” option to allow access to your pictures and record videos.

12. Click the “Allow limited access” option to access photos and videos on the device.

13. Click the Done button.

Once you complete the steps, you can proceed with the steps to share files between devices.

It’s important to note that the feature works on iPhone devices running iOS 16 or higher. Also, you have to make sure that the “Link to Windows” app on your phone is version 1.24112.73 or higher and the “Phone Link” app is version 1.24112.89.0 or higher.

Share files between PC and phone

To share files from Windows 11 to Android (or iPhone), use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Open the folder location with the files to share.

3. Right-click the file and select the “Share” option.

   

4. Select the “My Phone” option.

   

After you complete the steps, the file will be transferred to your phone.

When the file has been transferred, you will receive a notification on your phone. If you don’t receive a notification, the files will be stored on the device, more specifically inside the “Send from my PC” folder.

If this is the first time sharing a file, pay attention to the notifications from the Phone Link app, as the application may still need additional permissions to be configured on your phone to access the mobile device storage.

Share files between phone and PC

To share files from Android (or iPhone) to Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open your Android or iPhone storage.

2. Select the files.

3. Tap the Share button.

4. Tap the “Link to Windows” option.

   

5. Select the Windows 11 (or 10) device to share the files.

Once you complete the steps, you will receive a toast notification on Windows 11, letting you know a file has been received. If you don’t see the notification, the files will be stored automatically in the “Downloads” folder inside the “Phone Link” folder.

If you have an Android device, you can access the mobile device storage directly wirelessly to transfer files without cables using the “Manage Devices” feature on Windows 11.