Windows 11 Search can now open your Android phone's apps

Windows 11 can now open your Android phone's apps from the Search box. If you already use Search on your PC to find files and programs, your phone's apps can show up in the same place. Android Authority reported the change, which makes reaching phone apps from a computer less of a chore.

What changed

Until now, getting to a phone app from your PC took extra steps. The new option puts those apps in Windows Search, the box you already use to look for things on your computer. Type a name, find the app, and launch it.

The feature builds on linking your Android phone to your Windows 11 computer. That link is the starting point, so the feature depends on it.

Who it affects

The people who gain most are those who work on a PC and live on their phone. Think of anyone who bounces between a laptop and messaging, banking or other apps on a phone all day. Less switching between devices could save a little time.

What is not known yet

The source material is thin. It does not say which phones or Windows 11 versions are included, how fast the rollout is, or exactly how the apps open. It also does not say what data moves between the two devices. Those details matter, so treat this as an early report.

What to do

• Check your phone and PC settings to see if the option has reached you.
• Before linking, think about what you are connecting your phone to.
• If the option is missing, it may simply not have arrived yet.

Linking devices means one more connection between your phone and your computer. That is worth a moment of thought, especially on a shared or work PC.