If you use an Android phone and a Windows computer daily, you're missing out on enormous potential if they aren't properly integrated. These days, you can receive phone notifications on your PC, reply to text messages, make calls, share files, or continue working on your documents without touching your phone. And the best part is that most of these features are already enabled by Microsoft; you just need to activate them.
In this article, we'll compile the best Android tricks to help you get the most out of your device when combined with a Windows 10 or 11 PC, along with a good selection of "hidden" or little-known Windows features for working, playing, and getting organized. Everything is explained step-by-step, in clear and accessible Spanish, so you can easily set it up yourself in no time.
Connect Android and Windows with the Your Phone app
The foundation of the integration between Android and Windows is Microsoft's "Your Phone" (Phone Link) application , available in the Microsoft Store and with its companion app for Android. Thanks to it, you can view notifications, SMS messages, photos, and even make calls from your PC using your mobile phone as a bridge.
Mobile notifications and SMS on your desktop
When you install Your Phone on Windows and sign in with your Microsoft account, the assistant asks you to link your mobile phone by entering your number and sending you an SMS with a link, which opens the corresponding app on Android. On your mobile phone, you also log in with the same account and accept all the permissions it requests (access to notifications, SMS, calls, storage, etc.).
Once granted, in the Your Phone window in Windows you'll see a column with sections for Notifications and Messages, where all the alerts that arrive on your phone will start appearing, not just those from Microsoft apps. From there you can read them, dismiss the ones you're not interested in, and, in the case of SMS messages, reply to them just as if you were typing on your phone.
The message panel works almost like an email client: on the left, you see the contacts or numbers that have messaged you , and when you select them, the full conversation opens on the right with a text box for replying. The message is actually sent through your phone, but you don't have to pick it up from the table.
View and copy photos from your mobile phone wirelessly
Another strength of Your Phone is the direct access it provides to your phone's latest photos from your PC, without the hassle of USB cables or complicated file explorers. Recent images are loaded into the app's Photos section and behave just like local files. This is also useful if you want to extract text from a photo you've taken with your phone.
You can drag any photo from the Your Phone window to your desktop or a folder in File Explorer to copy it, attach it to an email, or upload it to another cloud service. Internally, they remain on your phone, but from your perspective, you work as if they were on your computer's hard drive.
Making and receiving calls on the PC
The integration goes a step further with phone calls, which you can also manage from your computer using Bluetooth— very practical if you're working with headphones connected to your PC. In the Calls section of Your Phone, click on Configure and follow the wizard to pair your computer with your mobile device.
During pairing, on Android you'll see a permission request to grant access to your call history and contacts, which you must accept to see the full list on your PC, along with a PIN that must match on both devices. When it's finished, Your Phone will display a classic dialer with your synchronized contacts and call log.
From that moment on, when you dial a number or click on a contact, the call is actually made from your phone, but you hear it through your computer's speakers and speak through the microphone connected to your PC. If a call comes in on your mobile phone, it also appears on the screen, and you can answer or hang up without touching your smartphone.
Share photos, documents, and links between Android and Windows
Beyond notifications and calls, what truly makes the difference is having a seamless workflow for moving files and links between Android and Windows , without constantly emailing things to yourself. This is where OneDrive, other cloud services, and some powerful third-party apps come into play.
Automatically upload your photos to the cloud
The easiest way to keep your photos readily available on your PC is to enable automatic cloud backup from your phone, whether using Google Photos, OneDrive, or a similar service. OneDrive is especially convenient because it already appears as a drive in Windows Explorer. Furthermore, you can edit photos taken with your Android device from Windows once they've been synced.
You install OneDrive on Android, sign in with the same Microsoft account, and accept the option to automatically upload photos from your camera, so everything you take is replicated in your online space. On your computer, that folder syncs and you see it as if it were an additional hard drive where you can open, edit, or delete images on the fly.
Shared folders in the cloud for any type of file
The same idea applies to documents, videos, projects, or whatever you can think of: all you need is a shared folder in the cloud (OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox…) that is synchronized on both Android and Windows.
Everything you save in that location is automatically uploaded and downloaded in the background, so you can start a document on your phone, finish it on your PC, and, if needed, review it later on your tablet without having to remember whether you sent it or not. Furthermore, almost all of these services allow you to access your files via the web if you're not at your usual computer one day.
Wireless connection with AirDroid and other apps
If you prefer something more direct and traditional, you can connect your phone and PC wirelessly using tools like AirDroid, which have been working very well for years. These apps create a web interface or a Windows client from which you can browse your phone's storage, copy files, take screenshots, and even view notifications or mirror your phone's screen on your PC.
In general, the process is as follows: install the desktop app and the Android app, create an account or pair both devices on the same network, and that's it— your phone's content appears on your PC as if it were another drive. AirDroid, for example, also allows you to mirror your smartphone's screen, send SMS messages, and receive notifications without relying on Your Phone.
Simple solutions: send you things by courier
And if you don't want to complicate things one day, there's always the "home trick": sending files to yourself via Telegram or WhatsApp, especially useful for specific tasks. On Telegram, you can open a chat with yourself and use it as a "catch-all" for documents, screenshots, and links; on WhatsApp, you can use a group chat where only you are present, or your personal chat if you have it enabled.
The advantage is that these services have a well-designed desktop client or web version, so you get to work, open the app on your PC, and have right there what you sent from your phone that morning. It's not the most elegant integration in the world, but it works and gets you out of a tight spot more than once.
Seamless navigation between Android and Windows with Microsoft Edge
The browser can also be a perfect bridge between mobile and computer , and in the Microsoft ecosystem the protagonist is Edge, which is available on both Windows and Android with full synchronization of history, bookmarks and passwords.
One of its standout features is the ability to send tabs from one device to another with just a couple of taps, ideal if you're reading something on your phone and want to move it to your larger screen without manually copying links. On Edge for Android, you open the three-dot menu and select the "Continue on PC" option.
A list opens with your computers linked to the same Microsoft account, and you can choose whether you want to open the website immediately on a specific computer or leave it for later, in which case a notification is sent to all your PCs with that link ready to be opened whenever it suits you.
The process can also be reversed: from Edge in Windows, choose Share and select Your Phone as the destination, which will trigger a notification on your mobile device with the page you had open. It's a very natural way to switch between devices while browsing.
Enhance integration with Microsoft Launcher on Android
If you want to take it a step further, you can install Microsoft Launcher on your Android phone so that the entire experience revolves around Microsoft services and, therefore, their integration with Windows.
After downloading it from Google Play, you start the setup, choose a wallpaper and select your favorite apps to be clearly visible, grant it the necessary permissions and set it as the default launcher by pressing Always when the system asks you to choose.
On the home screens, you'll see folders containing all your Microsoft apps, whether installed or not. Any missing apps will open directly in Google Play for you to download. On the far left, you'll find a panel-style view, similar to a widget area, where you'll find news, recent documents, tasks, notes, and other useful information.
Resume documents and activities on the PC
Within that side view, you can activate the Documents and Recent Activities blocks, which show the files and actions you have worked on lately, whether they are photos, screenshots, office documents, or Office items.
By pressing and holding an item or using the three-dot button, the "Continue on PC" option appears, which sends that file to your computer, usually uploading it first to OneDrive and then opening it in your browser or the corresponding desktop application. You can also use the "later" option to have it sent to all your PCs as a notification.
This combines well with the Office/OneDrive ecosystem: you type something on your mobile, sit down at your computer and in two clicks you're right where you left off, without having to remember file names or folders.
Quick notes and synced tasks
Microsoft Launcher also integrates Windows Sticky Notes and Microsoft To Do task management, so you can carry your same to-do list and digital desktop sticky notes in your pocket.
Notes written on your phone sync with Sticky Notes on Windows 10 and 11, so you can see them directly in the Sticky Notes app on your PC. For now, only text notes are synced (those with handwriting and images are somewhat limited), but it works wonderfully for quick reminders.
Tasks work similarly: you can use To Do as a standalone app or view your lists in the launcher's sidebar, adding new tasks on the fly and marking them as completed. On PC, the native To Do app gathers everything and displays it organized by lists, days, projects, and so on.
Third-party alternatives for uniting mobile and PC
Although Microsoft is very serious about Android-Windows integration, there are still third-party apps that are essential if you want to go a step further or simply prefer open solutions.
AirDroid is the veteran in this field, with similar functions to Your Phone but with a greater focus on remote control and file access, even allowing you to control your phone from your PC on some models and use it as a webcam . It can also sync notifications and offers backup options.
Pushbullet is another popular alternative for receiving mobile notifications on your computer, sending notes, links, and small files from one device to another , and even chatting with friends directly from the app. It doesn't offer as much in-depth calling or photo functionality as Microsoft's solution, but it's very lightweight and easy to use.
If you like free software, KDE Connect is a gem that originated on Linux and is now also available for Windows, with features like multimedia control, file sharing, using your phone as a remote control or keyboard, and classic notification synchronization. All of this is open source and independent of the Microsoft ecosystem.
Key Windows tricks to get even more out of your PC
Once you have your mobile device well integrated, it's worth refining Windows 10 or 11 to make your daily life smoother, more productive, and more enjoyable, taking advantage of features that are often somewhat hidden in the settings.
Master the Start menu and taskbar
In Windows 11, you can move the Start button back to the left if the new centered design feels strange, by going to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and changing the alignment to Left.
You can also pin and unpin apps to the Start menu so they're always readily available by right-clicking them and choosing Pin to Start, or unpin them when you no longer need them. The All apps view acts as a comprehensive index, with letter-based headings you can tap to jump quickly.
In the bottom right corner of the Start menu, you can add shortcuts to key folders like Downloads, Documents, or Music by going to Settings > Personalization > Start > Folders. This way, you can quickly access the places where you actually work.
If the menu shows recommendations for apps and files you're not interested in, you can disable those suggestions in the same Start menu, making the menu cleaner and more predictable. And if the Search, Task View, or Chat icons in the taskbar are in your way, you can turn them off in the taskbar settings.
Very useful keyboard shortcuts and “hidden” functions
Keyboard shortcuts save a lot of time once you get used to them, and Windows 10/11 comes with a huge collection: Alt + Tab to switch between apps, Win + D to show the desktop, Win + L to lock your PC, Win + I to open Settings, Win + R to Run, Win + G for the Game Bar, Win + W for widgets, Win + V for clipboard history, Win + . for the emoji picker…
The classic Control + Alt + Delete is still your gateway to the Task Manager, where you can see which processes are spiked in CPU, RAM, or disk usage, close applications that have frozen, and disable programs that try to start with Windows in the Startup tab.
If you enable clipboard history in Settings > System > Clipboard, you can use Win + V to see a list of recently copied items and paste the one you need at any given time, instead of always being limited to the most recent one.
Another interesting feature is the ability to shake a window to minimize all others. This can be re-enabled in Settings > System > Multitasking by selecting the option to shake the title bar. It's ideal when your desktop is cluttered and you only want to keep one application visible.
Management of virtual windows and desktops
Windows 11 greatly improves window organization with its Snap Layouts, which appear when you hover over the maximize button of any window. From there, you choose whether to arrange 2, 3, or 4 applications in different configurations, and Windows guides you through filling each space.
If you often work with multiple projects simultaneously, virtual desktops are a lifesaver, accessible with Win + Tab. At the bottom, you can create separate desktops, rename them, and change the background of each one for easier identification.
To move between them, simply press Control + Win + Left or Right Arrow, and you can drag windows from one desktop to another within the task view itself. This allows you to separate, for example, your work, leisure, and study environments without mixing them all on the same desktop.
Productivity: dictation, clipping, and PDF printer
If you're ever too lazy to type, the Win + H combination activates Windows voice dictation, which writes down everything you say and can even automatically add periods and commas if you enable that option in the dictation settings.
The Print Screen key can also be improved to directly open the Snipping Tool instead of simply capturing to the clipboard, by enabling it in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard with the option to use Print Screen to start snipping.
To save any web page or printable document as a PDF, you don't need any extra programs: in the print dialog box, choose "Microsoft Print to PDF" or "Save as PDF" (depending on the case) as your printer, adjust the settings as desired, and save the file to your preferred location.
Game mode, night light, and power control
If you use your PC for gaming, or to play Android games on Windows , Windows 10/11's Game Mode attempts to prioritize resources for the game you have open. This can be activated from the Xbox Game Bar (Win + G) provided your computer is compatible. It's not a miracle worker, but it can give a small boost to less powerful machines.
To help protect your eyesight, especially at night, the Night Light function changes the screen's cool tones to warmer colors, and can be configured from Settings > System > Display, where you can adjust both the intensity and the automatic activation times.
On laptops, it's crucial to check the power modes in Settings > System > Power & battery, where you can choose between profiles that prioritize battery life or pure performance. You can set Maximum performance when plugged in and a more moderate setting when running on battery, or simply select the most powerful mode if you're not concerned about power consumption.
System cleaning, storage, and restoration
Windows 10 and 11 include a Storage panel in Settings > System that breaks down what your hard drive space is using, with sections for apps, documents, temporary files, and other items.
From there, you can delete temporary files that the system no longer needs with a single click , empty the Recycle Bin, or locate the applications that are taking up the most space and uninstall them. Storage Sense also allows you to automate this type of cleanup at regular intervals.
If your computer came from the factory loaded with bloatware (pre-installed software you don't use), you can always opt for a clean reinstall using the "Reset this PC" option within Settings > System > Recovery. You can choose to keep your personal files or erase everything, but in both cases, Windows will be reinstalled without the manufacturer's added software.
And for more serious emergencies, it's a good idea to have a bootable USB drive with Windows 11 on hand, which you can create using Microsoft's official media creation tool. This way, you can format and reinstall Windows from scratch in case of a virus, serious errors, or if you're going to sell your computer.
The combination of a well-linked Android mobile with Windows and an operating system configured to your liking allows you to work, play and communicate much more comfortably, jumping from one device to another almost without noticing and taking advantage of small tricks that, added together, make a huge difference in everyday life.
