End of sending texts via WhatsApp! Microsoft is testing a brilliant feature in Windows that everyone will find useful

Copying long texts or complex links between a computer and a mobile phone has been a source of frustration for years. Most of us resort to sending content via WhatsApp, Messenger, or email. Microsoft has been trying to solve this problem for several years, but only now is it coming up with a solution that truly makes sense – native clipboard synchronization between Windows and Android via the Link to Windows app.

How the new clipboard synchronization works

The new feature, currently being tested in developer versions of Windows, allows access to your computer’s clipboard content directly from your Android phone. Unlike previous solutions, it is not limited to a specific keyboard, which is a significant step forward. Everything you copy on your computer instantly appears in the Android system clipboard and is accessible via any keyboard – whether you use Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, or other alternatives.

Windows Latest, which tested the feature, reports that synchronization occurs almost instantly and without major issues. Simply copy text on your computer, and it automatically appears in the paste menu on your phone’s keyboard. Interestingly, the biggest problems paradoxically occurred with Microsoft’s SwiftKey keyboard, while everything worked smoothly with competing keyboards.

What you’ll need and how to activate the feature

To use this new feature, you need to meet several conditions:

1. Have the latest developer version of Windows installed (currently available only to Windows Insider program participants in the Dev channel)

2. Install the Link to Windows app on your Android phone and connect it to your computer

3. Sign in to the same Microsoft account on both devices

4. On your computer, you need to enable Clipboard history and Sync across devices in the settings

5. Then, in the Link to Windows settings, enable the option „Access PC’s clipboard” (Access to PC’s clipboard) in the Mobile devices section

One limitation you’ll have to accept

Although the new feature represents a big step forward, it currently has one significant drawback – it works only one-way. This means that content copied on Windows appears on Android, but not vice versa. Content copied on the phone is not yet transferred to the computer, at least not in the current test version. However, for many users, this may be sufficient, especially for sharing passwords, addresses, or links from a computer to a mobile phone.

Microsoft is catching up to Apple, but has room for improvement

A universal clipboard is nothing new in the world of operating systems – Apple has offered a similar feature since 2016 between its devices with iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. However, Microsoft has long struggled with implementing this seemingly simple feature, even though it has attempted it several times in the past.

End of sending texts via WhatsApp! Microsoft is testing a brilliant feature in Windows that everyone will find useful Jakub Kárník News Jakub Kárník News

Earlier attempts included clipboard synchronization via the SwiftKey keyboard, which, according to many users, worked unreliably – problems with one-way transfer or service outages occurred. The new solution, integrated directly into Windows and the Link to Windows app, promises higher reliability and more universal use.

When can we expect the official release

Microsoft has not yet announced an official date for when clipboard synchronization will be released to the stable version of Windows 11. Based on past experience with similar features, it can be expected that after testing is completed in the developer channel, the feature will move to a beta version and then – if not too many bugs are discovered – to the public version of Windows.

Would you use this new feature?

Source: WindowsLatest