Having to pick up your phone to answer (or decline) a call while you are working on your laptop can be extremely annoying. Thanks to Microsoft's Your Phone application, you can now make and take phone calls directly on your Windows 10 PC.
Previously available only on Samsung Galaxy handsets, the newest functionality of the Your Phone app is now being rolled out to all Android phones. The update was initially announced in August at the Samsung Unpacked event and was officially launched in October.
Initially, the application was rolled out with several smart accessibility features, such as letting users manage photos and view and send messages from their phones to their PC. With the Calls function, users can now stay better connected and enjoy the following features:
- Answer incoming phone calls on your PC.
- Initiate phone calls from your PC using an in-app dialer or contact list.
- Decline incoming phone calls on your PC with custom text or send directly to your phone's voicemail.
- Access your recent call history on your PC. Clicking on a specific call will auto-populate the number within the dialer screen.
- Seamlessly transfer calls between your PC and phone.
To enjoy these features, you need an Android phone that's 7.0 or higher and a Windows 10 PC with Bluetooth radio.
How to Place and Receive Android Calls on Windows
Making and taking phone calls on your PC is fairly simple.
1. Install - First, you need to download the Your Phone app on your PC from the Microsoft Store and on your Android device from the Play Store.
2. Set up - Next, complete the setup by signing into your Microsoft account and linking your PC and phone devices.
3. Make or Receive a Call - To make a call, simply tap the Calls tab on the left pane and then search for contacts or use the dialer. To answer an incoming phone call, simply click the Answer or Decline button on the dialog box that will appear on your Windows 10 screen.
Managing your phone's photos and messages on your Windows 10 PC is also easy. Just tap the Photos or Messages tabs on the apps' left panel to start seamlessly viewing or transferring your files between your devices.
Microsoft is the latest brand to join the seamless PC–phone handoff bandwagon. Major industry key players, such as Apple, Google, and Samsung, have previously introduced their own versions of a direct-to-PC accessibility feature.
Quick note: This update is being gradually rolled out on PCs that are 19H1 builds or newer. It may take a few days to be available on your version of the Your Phone app.
