Microsoft is transitioning the photo viewing feature from the Phone Link app to File Explorer within Windows 11. This change alters how users engage with their mobile photos on desktop systems.
Integration and Compatibility
The Phone Link app previously provided a built-in gallery, allowing users to view and transfer recent pictures directly from their phones. This feature enhanced the app's usability for handling mobile photos efficiently.
Now, users are prompted to access their phone images through File Explorer, which offers file management capabilities. These include multi-select, copy/paste functions, and drag-and-drop operations, marking a shift towards treating phones as peripheral devices.
Implications for Users
While these changes provide robust file management options, they shift user workflow significantly. Phone Link retains its notification relay and remote control functionalities but will no longer feature a photo viewer. The full removal timeline remains unspecified.
Though File Explorer's features boost organizational capabilities, the switch may be initially disruptive to users accustomed to Phone Link's integrated photo gallery.
