Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

You can now answer and make phone calls in Windows 10

Arif Bacchus
By

The Your Phone app has always been a great way to send and receive text messages on your PC, or even mirror your Android apps and screen, but it is now even more useful. Microsoft recently announced the rollout of a new ability to send and receive the phone calls from an Android phone directly from Windows 10.

Although the feature is still in pre-release, the phone-calling feature will gradually be coming to the Windows 10 Your Phone app, starting with Windows Insider beta testers. These testers need to be up and running with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, and Build 18362.356 or newer of the operating system to enjoy the feature. It may also take a few days for the new calling ability to show up, but Microsoft promises that it will be worth the wait, as there’s quite a bit of functionality to enjoy.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Once available, Windows 10 users can answer incoming phone calls on a PC and initiate phone calls using an in-app dialer or contact list. Importantly, calls can also be declined with a custom text or sent directly to voicemail, just as you can on an Android phone. Other features include the ability to access recent calls on a PC, and seamlessly transfer calls between a PC and a phone.

Recommended Videos

There are a few requirements that must be met to enjoy this new ability, however. First off, your Android phone must be running Android 7.0 or newer. Your Windows 10 PC must also have a Bluetooth radio.

Related

“Today, we’re excited to unveil the Calls feature to the Windows Insider community. Check out this early preview and let us know what you think. No need to dig for your Android phone to answer your personal or work calls. You can now stay connected by simply answering (or not) your phone calls on your PC,” said Microsoft.

This new phone-calling ability was first showcased during Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, followed by another brief appearance during Microsoft’s Surface event in New York City. It joins the many other features of the Your Phone app, including the ability to see your Android phone’s notifications on Windows 10 and copy or preview the most recent 25 photos from an Android Phone.

Most of these features — including the calling abilities — are not likely to be supported with iPhones or iOS due to the locked-down nature of the operating system.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Arif Bacchus
Arif Bacchus
Computing Writer
Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…
Yes, you can use both Mac and Windows — here are some tips to get started
The keyboard of the MacBook Pro 14-inch on a wood surface.

I'm not a typical Windows or Mac user. Where most people choose one operating system and stick with it, I use both Windows 11 and MacOS regularly, going back and forth daily depending on my workflow. And it's easier to do than you probably think.

I have a fast Windows 11 desktop with three 27-inch 4K displays, and I use that for all my research-intensive work that benefits from multiple monitors. But for writing simple copy, and for personal tasks, I use a MacBook Pro 14 M1 Pro simply because I like it so much. It's not MacOS that draws me to the machine, but its battery life, cool yet quick operation, excellent keyboard and touchpad, and awesome HDR display. To stay sane, I've worked out a few tricks and techniques to make the constant switching bearable. Here's what I've learned.
Adjust to your keyboards

Read more
It’s not just you: Microsoft confirms Windows 11 is having gaming issues
Acer Predator Orion 7000 sitting on a table.

Microsoft has confirmed that the latest update to Windows 11 is causing performance issues in some games, along with a host of other problems. Stuttering might be noticeable in some apps as well.

Microsoft has put a hold on its Windows 11 22H2 update on devices affected by this issue; however, it is still possible to install the update manually. If you haven’t updated yet, it’s best to wait until you get a notification that an update is available.

Read more
Update Windows now — Microsoft just fixed several dangerous exploits
Person sitting and using an HP computer with Windows 11.

Microsoft has just released a new patch, and this time around, the update comes with fixes for several dangerous and actively abused vulnerabilities and exploits in Windows.

A total of 68 vulnerabilities were addressed in the patch, many of them critical. Here's what was fixed and how to make sure your Windows device is up to date.

Read more