Your Phone in Windows 11 now shows recent apps

By Fionna Agomuoh Published February 10, 2022

Microsoft’s latest feature aims to create better integration between Samsung and Windows devices by allowing users to access their recent Android apps through the System Tray on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

The feature displays a “Your Phone” icon in the System Tray on the Windows desktop, allowing users to see the last applications recently accessed through their phone. Selecting any of the recent icons will then project the application on the desktop while it is running natively on the smartphone. There is also an option for users to pull up all of their mobile applications to view on their Windows device.

Recommended Videos

#Windowsinsiders Now you can access Recent apps in Your Phone app or via the flyout menu built into Windows Notification area for seamless continuity with select Samsung devices pic.twitter.com/xRCb4Jxoej

— Microsoft Phone Link (@MSPhoneLink) February 9, 2022

Microsoft and Samsung announced the feature at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, detailing that it is currently available for preview for Windows Insiders and is compatible with select Samsung phones.

As Samsung announced its new Galaxy S22 series during its launch event, it is safe to say these devices will be among those compatible with the Your Phone: Recent Apps feature. Microsoft details that Recent Apps works with Samsung devices that have a link to Windows and run software versions OneUI 3.1.1 or higher.

Such models include the Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy S series, and the Galaxy Note series.

In terms of Windows devices, the requirements are a PC running Windows 10 or above.

Windows Central claims that Samsung’s exclusivity to the Your Phone feature is somewhat of a misnomer as it originated on Microsoft’s Surface Duo device when it was finally released in 2020. However, there has to be some sort of caveat considering the Surface Duo is an Android device made by Microsoft specifically to interact with the Windows ecosystem.

Microsoft and Samsung’s partnership pairs the Windows system and the Samsung system together through their devices.

Microsoft’s expansion of its proprietary features is a smart move, especially as users become less loyal to particular brands and systems.

Computing Writer

Fionna Agomuoh is a Computing Writer at Digital Trends. She covers a range of topics in the computing space, including…

Topics

Phones

Google Photos adds a quick toggle between AI and classic search

Classic search is finally easier to reach for people who enabled Ask Photos

Google's Ask Photos debut.

Google Photos is giving users an easier way to leave its Gemini-powered search when a simple keyword would do. A new toggle now sits at the top of the results page, letting users switch between Ask Photos and classic search without digging through settings.

The change appears to address feedback from people who opted into Ask Photos but wanted a quicker way to return to classic search when Gemini was slower or less useful for a straightforward query.

Phones

Snapseed Camera now lets Android users save original photos and add geotags

Google updates Snapseed Camera with geotag support and non-destructive photo editing

Snapseed App

Google appears to be quietly turning Snapseed into something more than just a photo editing app. Over the past few weeks, the company has been steadily adding new capabilities to Snapseed Camera, its standalone camera app for Android. The latest update introduces two practical features that many smartphone users have come to expect from modern camera apps: the ability to save an untouched copy of every image for future editing and support for embedding location data directly into photos.

Neither feature is flashy, but together they make Snapseed Camera a more capable photography tool, particularly for users who like experimenting with filters without permanently altering their original shots. According to a report by 9to5Google, the features are rolling out with Snapseed Camera version 4.1.1.x on Android.

Phones

Samsung unveils Galaxy credit card ahead of Galaxy Unpacked

Samsung launches Galaxy Card with cashback on Galaxy purchases

Galaxy credit card

For years, Samsung has worked to turn Galaxy into more than a smartphone brand. Today, the company's ecosystem stretches across foldables, smartwatches, televisions, home appliances, smart home products and digital services. Now, it's adding another piece to that puzzle, one that has little to do with hardware.

Samsung has officially introduced the Samsung Galaxy Card, its first branded credit card in the U.S. Designed in partnership with Barclays US Consumer Bank and operating on the Visa network, the card rewards users for everyday spending while offering significantly higher cashback on purchases made directly through Samsung.