The Your Phone app has always been a great way to send and receive text messages on your PC, or even mirror your Android apps and screen, but it is now even more useful. Microsoft recently announced the rollout of a new ability to send and receive the phone calls from an Android phone directly from Windows 10.
Although the feature is still in pre-release, the phone-calling feature will gradually be coming to the Windows 10 Your Phone app, starting with Windows Insider beta testers. These testers need to be up and running with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, and Build 18362.356 or newer of the operating system to enjoy the feature. It may also take a few days for the new calling ability to show up, but Microsoft promises that it will be worth the wait, as there’s quite a bit of functionality to enjoy.
Once available, Windows 10 users can answer incoming phone calls on a PC and initiate phone calls using an in-app dialer or contact list. Importantly, calls can also be declined with a custom text or sent directly to voicemail, just as you can on an Android phone. Other features include the ability to access recent calls on a PC, and seamlessly transfer calls between a PC and a phone.
There are a few requirements that must be met to enjoy this new ability, however. First off, your Android phone must be running Android 7.0 or newer. Your Windows 10 PC must also have a Bluetooth radio.
“Today, we’re excited to unveil the Calls feature to the Windows Insider community. Check out this early preview and let us know what you think. No need to dig for your Android phone to answer your personal or work calls. You can now stay connected by simply answering (or not) your phone calls on your PC,” said Microsoft.
This new phone-calling ability was first showcased during Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, followed by another brief appearance during Microsoft’s Surface event in New York City. It joins the many other features of the Your Phone app, including the ability to see your Android phone’s notifications on Windows 10 and copy or preview the most recent 25 photos from an Android Phone.
Most of these features — including the calling abilities — are not likely to be supported with iPhones or iOS due to the locked-down nature of the operating system.