If you want to get notifications on your Windows 10 PC from your mobile device, Microsoft won’t make you purchase a Windows Phone. All you have to do is learn how to sync Android with Windows 10, which we explain in this guide!
How to Sync Android and Windows 10, Step by Step
- On your Android device, download and install the Cortana app from the Google Play store.
- Open Cortana, and approve the Android permissions that pop up.
- Sign into the same Microsoft Account you use on your PC.
- Tap the hamburger menu (the three lines) in the top left corner, and tap “Settings.”
- Tap “Sync notifications.”
- Here, you’ll see a few options, some of which are automatically turned on. Adjust them to your liking, but make sure you turn on “App notifications sync” to get the full effect.
- You’ll get a popup that states Cortana needs “Notifications Access.” Allow it.
- Go back to Cortana’s “Settings” menu and enable “App Notification Sync.” A menu will pop up and prompt you to select which apps to sync. Adjust them to your preference.
Some Additional Information
So now you know how to sync Android and Windows 10 notifications. But what exactly happens?
Is It Secure?
As you’re going through the above steps, you’ll notice that you have to allow Cortana access to the data on your Android, and may wonder whether that’s secure. Since Cortana is also an app on your computer, the answer is yes, it’s secure, as long as your computer is free from viruses and malware. For added protection, consider encrypting your phone.
Notifications Dismissed on Both Devices
Your notifications are now synced, so that means when you dismiss an alert on your PC it will also be dismissed from your Android. Keep this in mind to make sure you don’t forget anything important because you dismissed it on your computer by accident.
Contact with the Outside World
You will now be alerted to missed phone calls, and have the ability to reply to them via text message. Incoming text messages will also appear on your device, so you can respond to them as well.
There is a Quick Reply function that allows you to respond to messages from your SMS app, as well as other popular messengers like Facebook, WhatsApp and Google Hangouts without opening the conversation. In other words, you can reply directly from the notification bubble.
Disable Unwanted Alerts
If a certain app is starting to get annoying, you can disable its notifications without using your phone. Just click the “Settings” icon (the little cogwheel) and select “Don’t show notifications for this mobile app.”
Now that you know how to sync Android and Windows 10, give it a try and see what you think. Some people argue that Pushbullet, a third-party productivity application that also syncs your devices, works better. What’s your opinion?
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