Windows 10: How to sync photos and messages from your Android smartphone

Synchronize photos and messages with Android

Since the October 2018 update of Windows 10, Microsoft offers to better synchronize photos and messages an Android smartphone with your PC.

Photo Monica Sauro at Unsplash

Below we explain how to connect the two devices, so you can read, receive and send SMS messages on your PC.

One of the important new features of the October 2018 update for Windows 10 is the arrival of native synchronization between Windows and Android.

It allows you to retrieve your SMS messages and photos directly on your PC, and send messages with the convenience of a full physical keyboard.

If you have not already done so, feel free to follow our guide to download and install the latest version of Windows 10. Here is how to set up this synchronization.

In short...

Before our detailed guide of each step, here are in a few words the steps to follow to activate the synchronization.

• In Windows:
  • launch "Your phone"
  • log in to your Microsoft account
  • give your cell phone number
• In Android:
  • download and install " Your Mobile Assistant " on Android
  • launch the application and give you the requested authorizations
  • log in to your Microsoft account
  • accept the connection request in the notifications

The step-by-step guide

Configuration in Windows

With a computer running Windows 10 1809 or higher (the October 2018 update), start the Your Phone application.

Normally, this application is pre-installed on your machine, otherwise you can download and install it from the Microsoft store.

To find it, the easiest way is to launch a search (Windows key) and type "your phone".

Then simply follow the configuration steps proposed by the application. You will be asked to log in to a Microsoft account and enter your cell phone number.

Note that these steps are necessary to pair the two devices, but that the actual synchronization of the SMS and photos is done without going through the cloud, only through Wi-Fi.

Once these steps are completed, the application is ready to sync, but you still need to configure your device in Android.

Android configuration : Synchronize photos

In order for Android to sync information with Windows, a Microsoft application must be installed to act as a relay.

Logically, the smartphone should have received an SMS from Microsoft with a link to the Your Mobile Assistant application, at the step where you entered your cell phone number.

Otherwise, you can follow this link to download the application.

The configuration is once again quite simple.

The application guides you by asking for the necessary permissions (SMS access, photo access, etc.) and asking you to connect to your Microsoft account.

You will then receive a notification on your smartphone, asking permission for the device to connect, this time via local Wi-Fi, to your Windows 10 PC.

Once permission is given, your two devices will be connected to each other and can be synchronized.

Synchronization of SMS and photos

After these configuration steps, the application is ready for use in Windows 10.

It offers two options: access to photos from your smartphone and access to your messages.

A simple click on one of the photos, or a drag and drop in the file browser, allows you to transfer it to your PC.

In the case of SMS, just access the Messages section to read your latest correspondence and send messages to your contacts using the computer keyboard.

It is not possible to send MMS or attachments with your messages.

If you liked this guide, do not hesitate to discover our other guides.

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