Microsoft and Google test new Android integration features

Microsoft has begun testing a preview of Android notifications on Windows PCs through the Phone Link tool. In Insider build 26300.9032 of Windows 11, users can hover over the phone companion panel to see a quick view of recent phone notifications without unlocking the device. The feature is currently rolling out to Windows Insiders for feedback before a wider release.

Google is developing a similar capability called Tap to Share for Android devices. The function, identified in a recent Play Services update (26.30.31), lets users initiate fast file transfers by bringing two phones close together, mirroring the convenience of Apple’s AirDrop. Users can enable or disable the feature to avoid accidental sharing, though it has not yet been officially announced or released.