If you recall, Android phone owners got this perk courtesy of the Windows 11 24H2 update, which introduced a floating side panel just off the Start menu. This contains details on the mobile’s battery level, alongside functionality such as the ability to listen to voice messages, view photos, and continue recent activities.

Windows 11's Start menu is getting a big update with full-fledged Android and iPhone integration, allowing users improved access to users' mobile texts and images from their computers.

Microsoft added a side panel to the Start menu in the Windows 11 2024 update last year that allowed Android users to get quick access to a phone’s battery status, notifications, messages, calls, and photos. Now, Microsoft is getting ready to bring a similar experience to iPhone owners with Windows 11 laptops or PCs.

Bringing together Windows and the Apple iPhone has been an agonizing journey. Microsoft is taking another step to connect the two, providing a consistent UI and file sharing between the two platforms via the Start menu.

Microsoft has expanded its Phone Link feature to include iPhone users, bringing seamless integration to the Windows 11 Start menu. Previously limited to Android devices, this update allows iPhone owners to connect their devices to Windows PCs and access key features directly from the Start menu.

Microsoft has started testing various improvements to the Phone Link integration in the Windows 11 Start Menu, including an easy way to share files across devices.