Being glued to our phones is now the norm , but where we really work (and often play) is still on our computers. The good news is that Windows is getting better and better with Android, iOS, and all kinds of apps, so you can reply to messages, move files, edit photos, or attend your classes directly from your PC without constantly switching screens. If you're looking for ideas, check out this collection of essential apps for a modern PC.
In this guide, you'll find the best apps and programs to get the most out of the mobile + Windows combination : from official Microsoft tools for connecting your phone to educational, multimedia, productivity, and general utility apps. Everything is explained in Spanish (Spain), with practical examples, and includes all the powerful options already used by thousands of users, including several outstanding open-source applications.
Connect your mobile to Windows: calls, notifications, and apps in a big way
The first step in building a good ecosystem between your mobile phone and your Windows PC is ensuring they communicate seamlessly. This is where Phone Link, Link to Windows, and special features from manufacturers like Samsung and HONOR come into play.
Phone Link (Mobile Link / Your Phone): the control center between Android and iOS and your PC
Phone Link is Microsoft's official application for connecting your smartphone to Windows . On PCs it's called Phone Link, and on Android it's integrated as Windows Link or through the dedicated app, while on iOS it's managed with the adapted version (with considerably more limitations than on Android, it should be noted).
Once set up, you'll be able to view and reply to SMS messages, manage notifications, access photos, make and receive calls from your computer , and, with compatible models, open mobile apps directly in a Windows window. For calls, your PC's Bluetooth must be enabled and paired with your phone.
In addition to the basic functions, many Samsung, HONOR, and Microsoft Surface Duo phones include extras such as:
- Copying and pasting between devices: copy on your mobile and paste on your PC, or vice versa.
- Drag and drop files between Windows Explorer and the phone's storage.
- View full screen on mobile in a PC window (Phone Screen mode) using keyboard and mouse.
- Opening of multiple mobile apps simultaneously on the desktop of Windows (depending on model and memory).
Setting it up on Android is usually quick: you install or activate Link to Windows, log in with the same Microsoft account on PC and mobile , scan a QR code from your phone, and in a matter of seconds everything is paired.
Samsung Galaxy and running Android apps on the Windows screen
Some Samsung Galaxy phones, especially recent mid-range and high-end models , are particularly deeply integrated with Windows thanks to an agreement with Microsoft. On these devices, Link to Windows is already integrated into the One UI interface, so you don't need to install any extra apps.
This advanced integration lets you open Android apps from your phone directly on your Windows 10 or 11 desktop as if they were native programs. You can have a window with WhatsApp from your phone, browse your photo gallery, or play light games using a keyboard and mouse, all wirelessly. If you're interested in learning more about Android and Windows compatibility, here's more information about Android apps on Windows.
The typical flow is simple: you activate Windows Connection in the Samsung settings (Advanced features) , link the device with your Microsoft account and, once paired, from the Phone Link app on the PC you enter the Applications section to launch any app installed on your mobile.
Communication is always wireless, usually over Wi-Fi, and works quite reliably. The only drawbacks are that the phone can get warm if you play demanding games, and that titles with heavy graphics or very low latency don't run smoothly, just like when mirroring the screen with a Chromecast.
Connecting an iPhone to Windows: same ideas, more limitations
If you use an iPhone, you can also connect it to your PC using Phone Link, although with significantly fewer features than on Android. You'll be able to see basic notifications, manage messages, and enjoy some integration, but there's no in-depth device control or the ability to open iOS apps in windows.
Many of the Microsoft and third-party programs we discussed throughout the article also have an iOS version , so the trick with iPhone is to install the same apps on both sides and make the most of cloud synchronization.
Synchronization of files and content between mobile and Windows
One of the most common needs is moving files between your phone and PC : photos, videos, documents, screenshots, etc. This is where Microsoft tools, Google tools, and other specialized utilities come into play.
Microsoft OneDrive: your cloud integrated into Windows
The Phone Link app is great for viewing recent photos and videos, but it doesn't handle general file transfers of any type . For that, the simple and powerful option within the Microsoft ecosystem is OneDrive.
With OneDrive, you have cloud storage similar to Google Drive where you can save documents, images, backups, and virtually anything else. Everything you upload from your mobile device will be available in the OneDrive client for Windows, which is natively integrated into the system.
Setup is almost effortless: install OneDrive on your mobile device, sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on your PC , and enable backups of key folders (such as your camera roll). From there, you can upload, download, and share files seamlessly, both from Windows Explorer and from Android or iOS. If you're looking to share documents between devices without complications, OneDrive is a great place to start.
Google Nearby Share for Windows: share like between Androids
Google has also ventured into Windows integration with Nearby Share for PC . It's an app that allows your computer to join the wireless file-sharing standard already used by Android phones to send files to each other.
Once Nearby is installed on Windows and enabled on your Android phone, you can send photos, videos, documents, and other formats wirelessly between your phone and PC using your local Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection, securely and quickly. If you prefer to avoid the cloud for occasional photos, see how to share images without installing apps.
It works very similarly to Apple's AirDrop: you select share on your phone, choose Nearby, and your PC appears as a nearby device . You accept on Windows, and that's it. It's ideal when you don't want to upload anything to the cloud and just want a quick and direct transfer.
Quick Share: Samsung's alternative also on Windows
For Samsung devices, in addition to Nearby, you have Quick Share , which comes standard on phones and tablets with Android 6 or higher. You don't need to install anything on your phone; however, on your PC, you will need to download and install the Quick Share application for Windows.
After installing the tool on your computer, simply ensure your computer is visible to your mobile device . From there, you can share files between both devices as easily as if you were sending content to another Galaxy smartphone.
It's a very convenient solution if you're already involved in the Samsung ecosystem, as it works in a very integrated and fast way , ideal for transferring photos, videos, or large documents without depending on third parties.
Browsers and web tools that sync between mobile and PC
Much of what we do on both our mobile phones and computers goes through the browser : websites, online apps, cloud services, etc. Using the same browser on both devices allows you to unify your history, bookmarks, passwords, and open tabs.
Microsoft Edge: Browser with Copilot and full synchronization
Since 2019, Microsoft's browser has been based on Chromium, meaning Edge is compatible with almost all modern websites and extensions . The real advantage lies in its integration with Copilot, Microsoft's artificial intelligence, and the fact that you can enjoy the same experience on Windows, Android, and iOS.
If you install Microsoft Edge on your mobile device and link it to your account, you can sync bookmarks, passwords, tabs, history, and shortcuts with your PC. This way, opening a link on your computer that you saw on your phone (or vice versa) becomes a matter of seconds.
In the Android app, simply tap your avatar, go to the account section, and enable syncing . You can even adjust what you want to sync and what you don't: for example, only passwords and favorites, but not your entire history.
Brave: Privacy and synchronization without centralized accounts
For those who are more concerned about their privacy, Brave is one of the most interesting browsers to use on Windows and mobile . It blocks trackers, intrusive advertising, and adds layers of protection by default.
Its synchronization system differs from other browsers: it doesn't rely on a large, centralized account , but rather on connecting devices to each other through a kind of synchronization chain. This allows you to share bookmarks, history, and other data without having to upload everything to the manufacturer's servers.
In addition, Brave includes a cryptocurrency wallet and its own ad system , allowing you to receive a small commission for viewing ads managed by them, while blocking ads from websites. This is an optional, configurable, and deactivatable feature.
Productivity, note-taking, and organizational apps for mobile and Windows
If you use your computer and mobile device for work or study, the key is to keep your tasks, reminders, and documents synchronized and accessible on both screens. Microsoft and other developers have several excellent apps in this area.
Microsoft To Do: lists, reminders, and tasks across all your devices
Microsoft's To Do app lets you keep your to-do lists, quick notes, and reminders always synced across Windows, Android, iOS, and the web. It's a much more comprehensive tool than Windows Sticky Notes and more integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem than other alternatives.
You can create lists for work, shopping, personal projects, studies, and more, adding due dates, reminders, and steps within each task. Synchronization is automatic if you use the same Microsoft account across all your devices, and it integrates seamlessly with Outlook and other services.
Compared to alternatives like Google Keep (which only has an official app on Android and web access on PC) or Windows Sticky Notes (which don't leave the system itself), To Do offers a much more uniform experience between mobile and computer , with real notifications on both sides.
Microsoft Office, LibreOffice and OnlyOffice: multi-device office suites
Office software remains a cornerstone of computer use , but increasingly, we want to be able to edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations from our mobile phones or tablets. This is where three major players come in: Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, and OnlyOffice.
The Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Teams) is the de facto standard in educational and professional settings . Its mobile apps allow users to create and edit documents and then continue working on them on their PCs, and Teams has become a widely used communication and collaboration hub.
LibreOffice, on the other hand, is an open-source, cross-platform (Windows, macOS, and Linux) alternative that's ideal if you're concerned about privacy and want to avoid subscriptions. It includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software, vector graphics editor, database, and more. Its data management system integrates well with engines like MySQL and MS Access, and it offers autocorrect and tools that make the work easier for non-technical users.
OnlyOffice has carved out its niche as a modern, free, and open-source office suite . It has versions for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and even an online edition. Its standout feature is its tabbed interface, which allows users to have multiple documents open in a highly organized way and work almost like using a web browser.
AutoHotkey, PowerToys and Ueli: automation and shortcuts in Windows
For advanced users, there is a set of tools that allow you to get the most out of Windows using keyboard shortcuts, automations, and small tricks that, indirectly, also speed up working with your mobile device.
AutoHotkey is an application that lets you create powerful scripts to automate almost anything in Windows : from emptying the Recycle Bin with a key combination to autocorrecting text, launching Google searches of clipboard contents, or executing complex sequences. It has a steep learning curve, but once you master it, you'll save a huge number of clicks and a lot of time.
PowerToys is a suite of tools developed by Microsoft engineers but released as an independent project. It adds useful experimental features to the operating system , such as previews for over 150 file types, STL file thumbnails, a color picker, a window reorganizer, a batch renamer, and more. It's ideal for those who aren't satisfied with the stock Windows experience.
Ueli is a free and open-source launcher that appeals to people who prefer to control everything with the keyboard . It allows you to open applications, search for files, perform calculations, execute commands, or search the web from a small search box that appears when you press a key combination. It also has a plugin system for adding new features; if you're interested in free software, here's a guide with recommended plugins.
Creativity, multimedia and editing from mobile and PC
Windows remains king for demanding creative work , but mobile has also become a serious tool for photos, video, drawing, and audio. Ideally, you want to combine both worlds with apps that work seamlessly together.
Photo editing: Adobe Photoshop Express, GIMP, and PhotoScape X
If you want to edit photos quickly and easily on your phone and then finalize the process on your PC, Adobe Photoshop Express is a great free option . It doesn't reach the level of professional desktop Photoshop, but it offers cropping, color adjustments, resizing, and a sufficient collection of filters for most users.
For desktop computers, GIMP is a great free and open-source alternative to the paid Photoshop . It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, and features layers, masks, advanced selections, channels, automation, and support for scripts and plugins that greatly expand its capabilities.
PhotoScape X occupies a middle ground: simpler than GIMP but considerably more comprehensive than basic photo editors . It has a free version and a Pro version, and allows you to crop, add text and stickers, pixelate areas, create collages, and more. Many content creators use it daily to prepare images for websites and social media; to organize these photos on Windows, you can consult the best photo organization applications.
Video editing: Clipchamp and DaVinci Resolve
Microsoft has been replacing the old Movie Maker with Clipchamp, a modern video editor that works as both an app and a web service . It allows users to edit videos with cuts, basic transitions, text, and some effects, and recent versions already allow exporting in 720p and 1080p for free, although it is still in beta and features are likely to change over time.
If you need something more serious, DaVinci Resolve is a professional editor with a very powerful free version that includes editing, color grading, effects, advanced audio, and post-production. The paid edition adds its neural engine, collaboration tools, HDR features, and more, but for most home users or small content creators, the free version is sufficient.
Audio, animation and drawing: Audacity, Dopamine, Krita, Animation Desk
Audacity is a classic of free software and remains one of the best free tools for recording and editing multitrack audio . It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, supports a wide range of formats, and can be extended with plugins to add effects and advanced processing.
To listen to your local music collection on Windows, Dopamine is a highly polished player, featuring system notification integration , FLAC file support, visualizers, star ratings, and Last.fm integration (scrobbling). It also adheres to the modern design guidelines of Windows 10 and 11.
In the field of digital drawing and illustration, Krita has established itself as a leading tool for artists working in comics, concept art, and painting . It's free software with a customizable interface, powerful brush engines, stroke stabilization, a resource manager, and a workflow designed to be unobtrusive while you draw.
Animation Desk, which started as a mobile app, has since expanded to Windows and macOS. It offers an easy-to-use, frame-by-frame animation environment with 25 brush types, an eraser, image and background video import, animation layers, sound effects, and advanced color management. It's perfect for those looking to get started in 2D animation.
Multimedia centers, downloads and content management
Turning your PC into the home's multimedia hub and connecting it to your mobile device to play or manage content is becoming increasingly common. There are several server, player, and management solutions available for this purpose.
Kodi, Plex and Jellyfin: your own media center
Kodi is a free and open-source application that allows you to turn almost any device into a complete media center . It has versions for Windows, mobile devices, and a good number of other operating systems. Its interface is highly customizable through themes, and its functionality is expanded by installing add-ons that allow access to local content and content from external services from a single location.
Plex follows a similar approach, but with a focus on organizing your library of TV shows, movies, music, and photos . It indexes everything on your hard drives, downloads metadata, cover art, and synopses, and lets you access your Plex server from mobile phones, smart TVs, and other devices. The basic features are free, although some advanced functions (like certain remote access or synchronization options) require a Plex Pass subscription.
Jellyfin is another alternative that many consider even superior to Plex in some aspects, with the advantage of being 100% free and open source . It also has apps for almost any platform, including Windows, and allows you to create your own "home Netflix" without fees or licensing restrictions.
jDownloader and qBittorrent: downloads and content tracking
jDownloader remains arguably the most comprehensive application for managing direct downloads . It runs in the background listening to the clipboard, and every time you copy a link, it analyzes its content to offer you the download of files, videos, images, etc. It's compatible with multiple services, allows you to manage premium accounts, and even download videos from platforms like YouTube in different qualities.
For P2P downloads, qBittorrent has stood out for years as one of the most well-rounded BitTorrent clients : lightweight, powerful, and ad-free. It includes its own torrent search engine (to which you can add sources), supports Magnet links, DHT, RSS, proxies, IPv6, and lets you manage multiple downloads simultaneously with pause, resume, and preview of some files.
Apps for studying and teaching with Windows and mobile
Digital education is increasingly blending classroom or home computers with students' phones . There is a good collection of applications that run on Windows and are complemented by mobile versions to cover almost all subjects.
Khan Academy and GeoGebra: math, science, and programming
Khan Academy is a free educational platform that offers thousands of videos, interactive lessons, and exercises covering everything from math and science to history and art. Its app and website allow elementary and secondary school students to practice at their own pace, with clear explanations and quizzes that make reviewing more enjoyable.
GeoGebra Graphing Calculator combines geometry, algebra, calculus, and graphing into a single application. It's fantastic for visualizing functions, investigating equations, plotting data, and analyzing coordinates on the Cartesian plane. Its user-friendly interface is very helpful both in the classroom and at home.
Duolingo, Book Creator and NASA's Eyes: languages, writing and exploration
Duolingo has earned a reputation as one of the most entertaining ways to learn languages . It breaks down learning into short, gamified lessons with games, questions, and challenges that you can complete in just a few minutes a day. It's ideal for students with limited time or for use on your mobile device while traveling.
Book Creator allows students to create their own digital books by combining text, images, audio, and video . It's a very useful tool for creative projects, classwork, and activities where the student is the protagonist of the content, not just a passive consumer.
NASA's Eyes is an interactive app that allows you to explore the universe visually and immersively : planets, space missions, astronomical phenomena… It is perfect for sparking interest in science and complementing physics and astronomy classes.
Google Classroom and other classroom tools
Google Classroom has become one of the most widely used platforms for managing online and blended learning classes . It allows teachers to create and distribute assignments, share resources, grade work, and communicate with students in a centralized way, accessible from the Windows browser and mobile apps.
Seesaw is another educational tool focused on digital portfolios where students showcase their work , collaborate with peers, and receive feedback from teachers and families. It is widely used in schools in the United States and in more than 150 countries.
Essential utilities for setting up or maintaining a Windows PC
Beyond direct mobile integration, there are Windows programs that every user should consider installing because they make daily life easier and, as a bonus, also improve the experience when working with your smartphone.
Ninite and Windows Repair Toolbox
Ninite is a service beloved by technicians and advanced users because it allows you to generate a single installer containing all the applications you want to install on a new PC . Instead of going from website to website downloading each program, you go to Ninite, select the ones you want, and download an executable file that handles the download and installation without any additional junk.
Windows Repair Toolbox is a portable toolbox designed to fix common Windows problems . It can be carried on a USB drive, offers system monitors, downloads essential programs, runs tests, helps remove malware, and can send you an email with the results and generated logs upon completion.
Explorers and converters: File Converter and CustomFolder
If Windows' native file explorer doesn't suit your needs, File Converter is probably the best third-party file explorer you can install. It's a single program for converting photos, videos, documents, and audio between multiple formats . It integrates seamlessly into the right-click menu, so you don't even have to open the app: just right-click, select "Convert," and choose the output format. It's free, open-source, and offers advanced options for adjusting output quality.
CustomFolder adds a touch of visual organization by allowing you to customize file and folder icons with emblems, colors, and even your own images. Ideal for those who have many project folders and want to identify them at a glance.
Messaging, video calls and gaming between mobile and PC
We spend a good part of our time in front of the computer communicating or playing games , and many of those apps have a direct reflection on the mobile phone.
WhatsApp, Telegram, Zoom and ChatGPT
WhatsApp finally has a native Windows app, faster and more complete than the old web app . It still needs to be linked to a mobile device, but afterward it can function quite independently, allowing chats, calls, and video calls with most of its key features.
Telegram is perhaps the most versatile and cross-platform messaging app . Its desktop and mobile clients sync instantly, and it comes loaded with features: giant groups, broadcast channels, bots, syncing with services like IFTTT, sending large files, and more. In many ways, it's still several steps ahead of WhatsApp.
Zoom has established itself as the standard for large video conferencing , especially since the pandemic. Although the competition has responded, it continues to stand out for its stability and ease of use when you need meetings with many people, whether from a PC or a mobile device.
ChatGPT also has a Windows application, accessible quickly via a keyboard shortcut (Alt + Space) . From there, you can ask questions, generate text, create images, use internet search, and more, in both the free and paid versions. It's a very convenient way to have an AI assistant always at hand while you work on your PC.
Xbox and LM Studio: Local Games and AI Models
If you have Game Pass, the Xbox app on Windows is practically essential for managing your games . It allows you to install Game Pass titles for PC, play from the cloud with Game Pass Ultimate, buy games from the Microsoft Store, and manage your Xbox console library, including remote installations.
On the more experimental side, LM Studio is an open-source application dedicated to downloading and running Language Models (LLM) locally on your computer . It offers a built-in model search engine (Llama, Mistral, Phi, Gemma, Qwen, DeepSeek, etc.), downloads models from repositories like Hugging Face, and allows you to use them offline, even with your local documents, or expose them as a server compatible with the OpenAI API.
With all these tools, it's easy to see how Windows can become the true nerve center of your digital life, while your mobile device, whether Android or iOS, integrates seamlessly: you share files effortlessly, reply to messages using the physical keyboard, attend classes or meetings on the big screen, and seamlessly switch between work and leisure. All you need to do is choose the right apps that fit your daily routine and then let the ecosystem work for you, instead of the other way around.
