Microsoft plans Windows 11 UX overhaul to deepen phone-PC integration: Here's what's changing

Microsoft is reportedly working on a range of new improvements aimed at integrating smartphones more deeply into the Windows 11 experience. According to reports, the company is planning to expand and enhance Phone Link's smartphone integration features so they feel more native to the operating system.

As part of the update, the Phone Companion panel in the Start menu is expected to gain the ability to display more recent phone activities, allowing users to scroll through them without opening the Phone Link app.

New Smartphone Flyout

Users may also be able to hover over individual activities to view additional details, such as the full contents of a message or a photo. To further streamline the experience, Microsoft is reportedly testing a new smartphone flyout that will reside in the system tray on the taskbar. The phone icon will appear whenever a connected smartphone is detected, and clicking it will open a flyout providing an overview of the device's status.

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The flyout is expected to include quick-access controls for features such as Do Not Disturb, Vibrate, Find My Phone, and more. Users may also be able to share files between their PC and smartphone simply by dragging and dropping them onto the phone icon.

New Dedicated Messaging Application

Microsoft is also reportedly developing a dedicated Messages app for Windows 11 that would sync SMS conversations from a user's phone, allowing them to send, receive, and start text chats directly from their PC. While similar functionality already exists in the Phone Link app, the new experience is expected to be offered as a standalone application.

According to the report, both the Messages app and the upgraded Clipboard feature remain in the prototype stage and are undergoing internal testing. Microsoft is expected to gather feedback from Windows Insiders before deciding on a wider rollout.

The reported changes are part of Microsoft's broader strategy to integrate Phone Link capabilities directly into Windows 11, further strengthening the connection between smartphones and PCs and making cross-device experiences feel more seamless and native to the operating system.