Link to Windows is one aspect of Android that is surprisingly still something of a hidden gem — it’s shocking how few people I’ve met know about it. Ever since I came across the convenience of having my Android device connected to my Windows laptop, I genuinely never looked back.
However, while it is great to be able to receive notifications on my PC and even view my gallery, one of the most important aspects of Link to Windows that goes mostly unused by me is the ability to stream apps since you need to accept permission on your phone each time. One UI 6.1.1 is about to come with a ground-breaking change in that capacity.
One UI 6.1.1 Will Make Streaming Apps On Windows From Your Galaxy Phone A Lot More Seamless
When I’m busy at work, I like to keep my phone away from me to avoid any distractions that it might bring to my workspace. Other times, it might be sitting on its wireless charger and I choose not to disturb it. Using Link to Windows, I can get notifications from apps and even see when people call me, so there really isn’t a way that I’ll miss anything important that’s going on.
However, one thing that I wish was easier to do on Link to Windows is streaming apps from your Android phone onto your PC. You can do it pretty easily already, but with each app that you open, you have to accept permission on your Android device. If you’ve got to reach for your device anyway, it sort of beats the purpose of the convenience that comes with this feature.
Thankfully, this is going to change very soon, as soon as One UI 6.1.1 is served up for us. According to Android Authority, you won’t need to tap that “Start Now” notification on your phone every single time that you attempt to stream an app via Link to Windows. This issue started due to a change in Android 14, but it seems with One UI 6.1.1, a workaround has been implemented to make things more convenient.
I Already Have Access To This On My Galaxy S22 Ultra Running On One UI 6.1
Interestingly enough, despite the initial report, I tried to give things a test run to provide a screenshot for you all to demonstrate how things typically look when I try to stream an app via Link to Windows, and the pop-up notification was notably different. Alas, it is the same interface that the folks at Android Authority show off with their Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 running One UI 6.1.1.
For full clarity, my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is running on One UI 6.1 and all of my apps are up to date, including the Link to Windows app. This could mean that you don’t actually need One UI 6.1.1 to take advantage of this major change. However, I don’t have access to any other Galaxy devices to test my theory out with.
If you do and you frequently use Link to Windows, how about you let me know whether you’re able to access this new change from One UI 6.1 or older?
