There used to be a time when connecting seamlessly to the PC from one's Android smartphone was a challenge.
However, technology has evolved and several new techniques and services have developed over the years to help users reply to messages and notifications and even transfer and sync data between the smartphone and computer.
Here are some of the best seamless options available in the Android universe, although the options are also available in other mobile heavyweight operating systems.
Join
Join offers functionalities such as notification mirroring and reply, text messaging, and link and file sharing. It also provides a universal clipboard and end-to-end encryption and is integrated with Google Assistant.
The app is available as a Chrome extension and Windows 10 native client. It needs only a one-time fee of $4.99 for unlocking all features, but a 30-day trial offers all features to users.
Syncthing
As a decentralized file sharing service, Syncthing in many ways is similar to the ShareIt service of Lenovo. The file transfer service depends on encryption to secure the data and on an open source framework.
Syncthing is a free service. According to Android Central, one of the best things about Syncthing is the ad-free interface. One also need not create a user account as the file transfer is determined by the unique device identifiers. In fact, the app works by setting up a server that is used to connect to other devices.
Pushbullet
Considered as the easiest-to-use file transfer tool between a computer and Android smartphone, the app also has the ability to mirror notifications from the phone onto the PC. Another user-friendly feature of Pushbullet is the ability to view and send text messages from the computer.
Apart from being available as an Android app on the Play Store, the app is also available as a browser extension for Firefox, Chrome, and Opera. Pushbullet allows the transfer of files and links to registered participants. Remote access to files is possible via the Windows client.
Pushbullet is one of the best apps available for mirroring notifications and the seamless transfer of files. The service is currently offered either as a free or paid option.
Cloud Storage
Unlike the apps listed above, cloud storage services such as Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox function as centralized repositories of data and cater to the varying needs of users.
One of the advantages of cloud storage services is that they have a free tier for all users. They also provide sufficient storage. Another interesting point is that all of them have great interfaces for both Android and Windows-based systems. These services can be upgraded by paying a monthly or yearly subscription free.
Conclusion
Choosing any service for data transfer — from an Android device to a computer — mostly depends on the needs of the user. While some apps provide exceptional features, others offer affordability.
