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.

A new Windows 11 feature allows iPhone users to see information from their phone within the Windows 11 Start menu. Windows Insiders can test the functionality now and also try the option to share files between a phone and PC through 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.

If you’re an insider running the Windows 11 Build 26120.3000 or higher in the Dev Channel or Build 4805 or higher in the Beta Channel, or we’ve got great news for you. According to a new Microsoft blog announcement,

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.