After several months of testing, Microsoft has finally released the most anticipated ‘Photos Companion’ app for iOS and Android devices. Developed as a Microsoft Garage project, this new app is aimed to simplify the transfer of images and videos from mobile devices to Windows 10 desktop, notebooks, and tablets.
Microsoft already offers a similar service through its OneDrive app, but it requires a Microsoft account to sync our photos from phone to Windows PC. The Photos Companion app is designed to make it easy for Windows 10 users to transfer their photos and videos without requiring to have a Microsoft account.
The best thing about this app is that you can wirelessly transfer photos and videos to any Windows 10 PC without even involving USB or other cables. Similar to other apps like Share It and Xender, the Photos Companion app uses Wi-Fi connectivity to establish a connection between your phone and PC. Your devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to enable the transfer process and a QR code is provided in the Windows Photos app that helps you start transferring the content wirelessly. Moreover, there isn’t the need for a high-speed internet connection, an advantage over cloud-based options.
How to use Microsoft Photos Companion?
You can download the Photos Companion app on your iOS device by visiting the App Store, or on your Android device by going to Google Play. The app works together with the Photos app in Windows 10 (version 2018.18011.13110.0 and above) and utilizes a feature that’s currently a part of the Photos app preview program.
How to set it up first?
- In Windows 10, go to Photos app > Settings.
- Under Preview, turn on the toggle button that says “Help Microsoft test the mobile import over WiFi feature.” Restart the Photos app.
- Again in the Photos app, click the ‘Import’ option in the top right corner and click “From mobile over WiFi” option in the drop-down menu.
How to transfer Photos?
- On your Android or iOS device, tap the Send Photos button and scan the QR code from your PC.
- Once the code is scanned, the smartphone will be paired with the PC and the option to share photos will be available.
- On the next screen, you can select the photos and videos you want to send to your Windows 10 PC over WiFi.
- Click ‘Done’ to start the transfer.
- Depending on the number and size of the photos and videos, the transfer process could take a few seconds to minutes.
NOTE: Make sure your phone and Windows 10 PC are connected to the same WiFi network. Also, network sharing should be turned on for the network. Otherwise, the sharing process won’t begin.
You have to scan the QR code every time you want to sync your photos. And you can only transfer photos from Android and iOS to Windows 10, vice-versa isn’t possible.
However, using Photos Companion is pretty quick when compared to OneDrive. The app will be available soon for Windows 10 testers.