MICROSOFT is trialling a new mobile device entry within Windows 11 Quick Settings in experimental builds. After a user connects and pairs an Android phone, the paired device appears in the Quick Settings panel and can be controlled from there. The change is not yet available to the general public, but it has been observed by Windows insiders and reported by Windows Latest.
What you can do once paired is access basic phone controls directly from the Quick Settings menu (Win+A). The available options include toggling Do Not Disturb, adjusting the Android device’s volume, and triggering a sound on the phone to help locate it. The “ring a misplaced phone” function leverages the existing device link, and users do not need to open the Phone Link app first.
Microsoft emphasises that this is not a completely new remote-control feature; rather, it moves some Phone Link capabilities into a system-wide shortcut for easier access.
Microsoft has been expanding cross-device integration with Windows 11 and Android, enabling notifications, texts, photos, and calls to be viewed on a PC, with ongoing testing of file transfer, remote PC locking, and phone screen mirroring. However, not every Android model will gain every feature after pairing, so availability depends on the specific device. UK readers should note that features vary by Android model and by Windows 11 build.