Tip of the Week: Using Your Android Device from Your Desktop

Windows 10 has long played nice with the Android platform, but did you know that there is a way that you can actually use the same apps you would find on your mobile device on your PC? For this week's tip, we'll go over how you can enable this capability.

In order to use this function, you need to be sure of a few things:

• You have a Samsung Galaxy device (although more should be compatible soon) running Android 9.0 or later with the Link to Windows tool.
• Your computer is running the Windows 10 October 2019 Update or later (at this point, it probably should be later).
• You're connected to the same Wi-Fi network on both devices.

It is also important to keep in mind that this feature is not compatible with accounts designated as work or school accounts.

What Does This Allow Me to Do?

Simply stated, this compatibility allows you to use your Android device's applications alongside the ones on your desktop or laptop, thereby reducing the time you waste switching back and forth between devices as you go about your day.

Interacting with your applications on-screen is simple.

• A single click works the same as a single tap.
• Right clicking works similarly to the Back button.
• Clicking and holding is the same as touching and holding.
• Clicking and dragging works to select content.
• Scrolling allows you to move vertically and horizontally between apps.

There are a few limitations to this capability—namely, the fact that some apps may not allow casting to your computer's display, the fact that some will require the use of a touch-input PC, and the fact that sounds are not also cast to your PC. However, if you're someone who relies on both your PC and your mobile device throughout the day, this function will likely be of some use.

So, is this something you could see yourself using? Leave a comment to tell us why or why not, and don't forget to subscribe to our blog!