iPhone users with Windows 11 PCs now have a significant reason to celebrate, as Microsoft is taking steps to enhance the interaction between iPhones and the Windows 11 operating system. In the latest Windows Insider release (Dev and Beta), Microsoft has introduced iPhone integration in the Start Menu on Windows 11.
This new feature adds a sidebar panel in the Start Menu, allowing quick access to the iPhone’s battery status, messages, and calls, as well as a fast file transfer button. These functionalities were already available for Android users, and now they are being extended to iOS.
This feature will gradually roll out to Windows 11 users running the latest Insider Preview Build 4805 or newer in the Beta channel. Additionally, the Phone Link app must be updated to version 1.24121.30.0 or later. For this integration to work, connected PCs must support Bluetooth LE and be signed in with an active Microsoft account. The feature is expected to be available for all Windows 11 versions in the coming months.
Related: How to Sync iPhone with Windows 11 Using Phone Link
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How iPhone Integration in the Windows 11 Start Menu Can Help You
With iPhone integration in the Windows 11 Start Menu, users can now access key phone functions more easily, directly from the Start Menu. Some of the benefits include:
- Viewing the iPhone’s battery level and connectivity status.
- Accessing messages and calls directly from the PC.
- Tracking recent phone activities, all within a unified interface.
Requirements for Enabling the Feature
To take advantage of this new integration, users must meet the following software and hardware requirements:
- Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 4805 or newer in the Beta channel, or Build 26120.3000 and later in the Dev channel.
- Phone Link version 1.24121.30.0 or newer.
- A PC connected to an active Microsoft account and compatible with Bluetooth LE.
With this update, Microsoft continues to improve the Windows 11 user experience, providing a smoother integration between PCs and mobile devices, whether they run Android or iOS.
