Last month we looked at apps that allow you to connect iOS devices to your Windows 10 PC. But if you're on Android and Windows 10, you don't need to feel left out. There are a number of ways to connect your Android devices to your PC. In fact, due to the open nature of Android, there are even more options.
While there are many Microsoft apps available for Android, this list is about apps that connect your phone and your PC, not just services that are available on both.
Aug 15, 2015 Android 4.4.4 is running as a virtual machine in Windows Phone 10. Pretty fast and snappy especially for a +3 years old Nokia Lumia 920 with only a dual core CPU and 1GB of RAM. Because Android is an open platform in the meaning of the software and product development the source code shall be available completely at a later time and is in opposite with the market leading closed operating systems Symbian, Palm OS and Windows Mobile.
12 of the best Black Friday deals you can still buy right now!
The Internet is going crazy over this $1,299 HP laptop on sale for $449!
Shop Amazon's best Cyber Monday deals here
From mirroring your screen to connecting your devices through the web, these are the best apps to connect your Android phone to Windows 10.
How To Download Android Operating System For Windows Mobile Phone
AirDroid
AirDroid extends your Android phone experience to your PC. You can mirror the entire phone screen and control your phone through your PC or just sync specific aspects of the phone such as notifications. You can respond to messages from your PC through SMS, WhatsApp, Kik, and other messaging services and also have the option to send quick replies to someone who calls you on the phone.
You can also use it to transfer files between your phone and your PC and control your camera remotely.
Setting up AirDroid takes a little bit of work, you have to unlock developer options and turn on USB debugging, but the app and AirDroid's website walk you through this.
There's a basic free version of the app, or you can upgrade to pro for $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year. The pro version removes ads, allows you to transfer entire folders, and grants you access to more features broken down on their website.
I like the idea of AirDroid, and it worked fairly well in my testing, but screen mirroring did run into some glitches, as did notifications. This could be based on my hardware so it's worth trying it out on your setup to see how it performs.
Vysor
Vysor is another way to mirror your Android phone onto your PC. It also allows you to drag and drop files and take screenshots. You can also use Vysor to type into text boxes on your phone using your PCs keyboard.
One way it differs from AirDroid is that it allows you to use Vysor Share, though you need a Vysor Pro account, which lets you share your phone with people throughout your office.
There is a free version of Vysor but to unlock high quality mirroring, wireless connection, Vysor Share, and more features you'll need to upgrade to Vysor Pro which costs $2.50 per month, $10 per year or $40 for a lifetime.
Textto
Rather than mirroring your entire screen or all of your notifications, Textto specializes in allowing you to text from your PC. Setting it up is incredibly easy. You just need to sign up with a Gmail account on both the Android app and PC version of Textto. You can then text from your computer through Textto's PC program or the web. It works wirelessly so you can set it up and then just text from your phone or PC.
Textto doesn't replace your SMS app of choice on your phone, it just relays your text messages through your PC. I was incredibly impressed while using this and it's especially useful because Skype SMS relay still hasn't arrived on Android.
You can get the PC version from Textto's website and download the Android app through Google Play. Both of them are free.
Photos Companion
How To Download Android Operating System For Windows Mobile Home
Photos Companion comes from the Microsoft Garage. It allows you to send your photos between your Android phone and your PC as long as you're on the same wireless network. The connection works almost instantaneously and only requires scanning a QR code to set up.
Windows 7 Operating System Free Download
The Android version of the app is free, and the Windows 10 Photos app comes for free as part of Windows 10.
Cortana
There's no shortage of digital assistants on Android, but if you use a Windows 10 PC, it's worth checking out Cortana. The assistant can sync reminders, lists, notes on both your Android phone and PC. It can also sync notifications from your phone with your PC.
Cortana has become easier to access than ever on Android phones by its integration with Microsoft Launcher. Cortana is free on Android, as is Microsoft Launcher which can integrate with it, and is also built into Windows 10.
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge provides a nice browser experience as its own app on Android, but it's especially useful if you want to continue your browsing experience from your phone to your PC. You can select to continue viewing any webpage on your PC immediately or select to view it later.
Microsoft Edge also syncs with other aspects of the PC version of Edge including favorites so you can have a close to seamless browsing experience.
Edge is part of Windows 10, and the Android version is free.
Honorable mentions
There are two other apps that help you connect your phone to your PC, but they are restricted to specific hardware.
How To Download Android Operating System For Windows Mobile 2017
Dell Mobile Connect
Dell Mobile Connect allows you to make calls and texts through your PC and also lets you read and react to notifications. Our executive editor, Daniel Rubino, has called it amazing and it looks like a big draw to anyone considering new hardware. But the app is not only restricted to working with Dell PCs, it only works with specific Dell PCs. Hopefully, we'll see more hardware from Dell supporting this in the future and other OEMs making similar applications.
Dell Mobile Connect is amazing. Full mirroring of Android on Windows 10. Make/receive calls/sms. pic.twitter.com/70zY0ZcvtL
— Daniel Rubino (@Daniel_Rubino) March 1, 2018How To Download Android Operating System For Windows Mobile 7
HP also has an app of their own, HP Orbit, which allows you to send photos, text, and links between your phone and your PC. As you'd expect, it requires an HP PC. It isn't as powerful as Dell Mobile Connect but is very fast.
Over to you
These are some of the best ways to connect Android phones to Windows 10 PCs, but they aren't the only ways. What are your favourite apps and services to connect your devices across platforms? Let us know in the comments below.
A blast from the pastReview: Shenmue III is a good game, but feels quite dated
Shenmue III is a third-person action game that continues the story of the first two titles. Ryo Hazuki is on the hunt for his father's killer and it leads him to encounter even more colorful characters. The mythical mirrors also play a larger role in the game, but the immediate plot focuses on finding missing persons and uncovering who's behind it all. Take your time with Shenmue III...
Tips to Change your Android Phone to Windows Phone
Last year, Microsoft launched the Windows version of Xiaomi Smartphone with Xiaomi MI4 handsets. At that time, the above facility was available only in China and Xiaomi smartphones. But in this article today, we’ve listed a number of steps on how to install a Windows OS on Android mobile phones.
With the following steps, you can install Windows XP / 7 /8 / 8.1 / 10 on your Android tablet or Android phone. If your phone has Android KitKat, Lollipop or Android marshmallow, even though we can install Windows OS.
Requirements to Install Windows OS on Android Phone
- Android Phone or Tablet
- Desktop or Laptop
- Change My Software
- USB Cable
You may also like: How To Download HD Videos From YouTube And Vimeo
Step to Install Windows OS on Android Mobile
Step 1: Go to Settings on your Android Phone and enable USB debugging in developer option. If you are unable to find developer option, tap on About phone and do continuous tapping on Build number until you see a message” You are now a developer “.
Step 2: Download “Change my software“.
Step 3: Once it is downloaded, connect your mobile to the computer and run the “Change My Software”.
Step 4: Now select Android and install Windows( 8 / 8.1 / 7 / XP ) on your Android phone.
Step 5: Click continue and select the language.
Step 6: After you select the language, the download of Windows drivers will start automatically. Once that is over click install button.
Step 7: Wait for the phone to complete the installation. if these files were installed, your phone will automatically reboot.
If you want to switch to Android again, you can change it using the same ” Change My Software” method. You can also add your phone to the computer and choose ” Restore to Original”.
You may also like:How to send a secret message on WhatsApp