Windows 11 users can soon access their iPhones from the Start menu

I like to access photos, phone calls, messages, and other features from my iPhone directly on my Windows PC. Though I rely on apps such as Microsoft's Phone Link and Intel Unison, I wish I had an easier and quicker way to use my phone on Windows. That's why I'm looking forward to trying a new option from Microsoft.

Now rolling out to Windows Insiders

As described in a blog post published Tuesday, Microsoft is currently previewing a way to connect and use your iPhone directly from the Windows 11 Start menu. Now rolling out to Windows Insiders on the Beta and Dev channels, the method follows the same type of integration previewed for Android users last year.

With the latest Beta or Dev builds for Windows 11 installed on your PC, you simply open the Start menu and select your type of phone (Android or iPhone) from the right pane. Following the instructions then allows you to connect your phone from the Start menu.

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Once your phone is connected, you're able to view its battery status and connectivity, access messages and calls, and keep track of other activities through the Start menu. To exchange a file between your phone and PC, for example, just click the Send Files button. That's a handy feature for me, as I often need to retrieve photos from my phone to my PC.

How manage the new option

Just head to Settings, select Personalization, and then select Start. You should find the necessary controls to enable, disable, and configure the integration between your phone and Windows.

Requirements

You'll have to meet a few requirements for all this to work.

First, you must be running Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 4805 or higher in the Beta Channel or 26120.3000 or higher in the Dev channel. Assuming you're already on an Insider build, go to Settings, select Windows Update, and then click the button for Check for Updates to download the latest updates.

Second, your version of Phone Link must be 1.24121.30.0 or higher. For this, open the Microsoft Store app, select Downloads, and then click the Get Updates button. Phone Link and other store apps will then be updated.

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Third, your PC must be signed in with a Microsoft account and must have Bluetooth LE capability.

Further, the option isn't available for PCs running Windows 11 Pro Education or Education.

If you're not a Windows Insider and want to check out this new integration, you'll have to wait. Assuming the option works without any hitches in the Insider build, we should see it land in the stable version of Windows 11 before too long.