Windows Phone Link makes file sharing easier, lets users extract text from images stored on phone

Microsoft is introducing a new feature for the Phone Link app on Windows, enabling users to extract text from images stored on their Android device.

Microsoft has unveiled a new Windows 11 Insider Preview build that introduces several enhancements to the pre-installed Phone Link app. The latest update (KB5037858) introduces a “My Phone” button within the app’s nearby share section, simplifying the process of transferring files from a PC to an Android phone.

This update represents a significant improvement over the previous version, where sharing files to Phone Link required navigating through the “Share using” button. Additionally, Microsoft appears to have introduced another feature allowing users to extract and copy text from images on their Android phone to their Windows PC.

When browsing images stored on an Android device within the Phone Link app, users will soon notice a “Text” icon. Clicking on this icon will attempt to identify text within the image, enabling users to select and copy desired portions.

The Phone Link app for Windows provides users with the ability to synchronize call logs, messages, notifications, and images from their phone. Additionally, users can make calls and mirror their phone screen on their PC using this application.

The latest features are accessible in Phone Link version 1.24051.91.0. As this functionality is presently accessible in the Release Preview Insider build, we anticipate Microsoft to make it available to all users shortly.

Although the Phone Link app has been available prior to Microsoft’s introduction of Windows 11, it previously lacked certain features. Nevertheless, the tech company has been progressively introducing several valuable features over the past few months, such as the option to utilize your Android phone as a webcam for your PC.