Android phones are the obvious choice for users who want to explore new features, not iPhones.
If you're a PC user, many people would choose an Android phone over an iPhone because, generally speaking, Android smartphones are much more compatible with Windows.
Currently, Microsoft is preparing another useful feature to enhance connectivity between Android phones and computers.
Control your laptop remotely using your Android smartphone.
According to reports, Microsoft is developing mobile remote control features that will allow users to shut down, restart, or even put a Windows 11 computer into sleep mode directly from their Android phone. These features are being integrated into "Link to Windows"—an Android app for Microsoft's Phone Link service.
Illustrative image.
Illustrative image.
It's worth noting that this feature hasn't officially launched yet, but evidence found in the app's latest source code suggests it may soon be available to users. Currently, Microsoft already provides a way to lock your computer from your Android phone, and the new control features will expand this capability even further.
New features
The source code includes separate options for features such as:
- Restart
- Turn off the machine
- Update and restart
- Update and shut down the computer
- Switch to Sleep mode
The last feature is particularly interesting because it shows that Microsoft is designing this feature to recognize Windows updates rather than just providing basic control commands.
Can users wake up their computers using their phones?
It's important to note that when a computer goes into sleep mode, it disconnects from the phone, and the user will need to physically go to the computer to wake it up. This isn't an ideal solution, but it's still a significant convenience. The reason is that in sleep mode, the computer typically doesn't maintain the network connection necessary for remote control.
The phrase "Remote Sleep" in the link leads to an APK application for Windows and Android.
The phrase "Remote Sleep" in the link leads to an APK application for Windows and Android.
Microsoft also pays attention to unsaved data. If you try to restart or shut down your computer while a Windows update is pending, the application will warn you that unsaved data may be lost. The application will then ask you to confirm if you really want to proceed.
Why is this feature useful?
Imagine this specific situation: you're on your way to the airport and suddenly remember you left your computer on at home. Turning it off remotely would be the perfect solution. Or perhaps you sent a colleague a text message you shouldn't have, but left the office without turning off your computer. Instead of worrying about finding a new job, you can now sleep soundly every night.
What about the iPhone? Of course, the iPhone doesn't have this feature yet.
That's one of the advantages of Android smartphones over iOS and iPhones for those using the Windows ecosystem. Apple has many "Continuity" features for connecting iPhones to Macs, but it lacks a common feature that allows users to remotely shut down or restart their Macs using their iPhones.
