Microsoft has released a Windows 10 update that allows you to answer, decline and make calls to your Android phone on your PC.
The Calls feature in Windows uses your computer’s speakers, microphone and screen so you can answer incoming calls, make calls and decline calls. Microsoft launched the Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18999 (20H1) as an early release to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring.
The Calls feature was first announced during Samsung Unpacked in August. Microsoft, in a blog post where it details all of its Insider preview builds, the calls feature will let you do the following:
- Answer incoming phone calls on your PC.
- Initiate phone calls from your PC using the in-app dialer or contact list.
- Decline incoming phone calls on your PC with custom text or send directly to your phone’s voicemail.
- Access your recent call history on your PC. Clicking on a specific call will auto-populate the number within the dialer screen.
- Seamlessly transfer calls between your PC and phone.
For you to use the feature, you need to note a few technical requirements. The feature requires Android 7 Nougat (or higher). However, you’ll also need a Windows 10 PC that has Bluetooth support, the 19H1 build, and the Windows 10 build 18362.356.
One known issue with the app is that you need to unpair and re-pair your phone and PC.
Microsoft has slowly but surely been building out its cross-functionality with Android phones, and it’s getting even better with time. Nevertheless, now that the news of its Surface Duo phone that runs on Android is public, it puts a totally different spin on developments like this.
Microsoft is also sprinting to add features that will give its Android phone a bunch of cool features out of the box. Better yet, it’s offering them all to other compatible phones, too.
According to Microsoft, in the coming days, this feature will roll out first to Insiders on the 19H2 (or newer) build. As for when everyone else can try it, we’ll keep you updated once we know.