14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 comes with a new Phone Companion app that allows you to synchronize any device powered by Windows Phone, Android, or iOS with a PC running Microsoft’s new operating system in order to get quick access to a bunch of Microsoft services, such as OneDrive, Skype, Office, and OneNote.
Pre-installed in Windows 10, this Phone Companion app provides a seamless way to sync data with Windows Phone, with Microsoft confirming that, for Android and iOS, additional steps are needed.
We’ve tested the Phone Companion app with a Samsung Galaxy S6 running Android 5.1, and the process is indeed running smoothly, but it’s hard to believe that, unless they’re true Microsoft fans, Android customers would have any reason to use this app.
How it works
Once you connect your Android phone to a Windows 10 PC, the Phone Companion app automatically detects the phone model and the battery percentage, letting you set up a number of Microsoft apps on the device.
OneDrive, OneNote, Skype, Office, and Outlook apps are all being offered. When clicking any of them, you are prompted to provide your email address to get a download link for each app. Cortana and Music apps are still listed as “coming soon” on Android.
And that’s about it. The app brings you quick access to your apps, and once you install them, you can perform a number of tasks automatically, such as transferring photos from your phone or tablet onto your PC and on OneDrive.
Some files can also be moved manually, so you can import photos and videos in the Photos app on Windows 10, or transfer other files with File Explorer the old way.
Overall, the Phone Companion app might be useful for Microsoft fanboys with an Android phone, who want to access services such as OneDrive and OneNote from their PCs, but otherwise, it’s hard to find a reason for someone to actually use it.
