What you need to know
- While we wait for One UI 6.1.1, Samsung has been spotted improving its app mirroring features on Android.
- Samsung simplifies the experience by eliminating the constant need for approval before Link to Windows can mirror an app to a computer.
- Only Samsung’s newer foldable devices feature One UI 6.1.1, while the rest of the lineup is waiting for the big AI update.
Windows and Android have had a good relationship when it comes to app streaming for some time, but Samsung seems to be improving that foundation.
According to an in-depth investigation by Mishaal Rahman (Android Authority), Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 software takes app streaming to a new level. A user must grant permission to Link to Windows and Phone Link to stream an app on their computer. Rahman’s findings show that Samsung has “migrated” these required services to Android’s purpose-built implementation.
This allows for a more streamlined experience when streaming an app to Windows, as this permissions page is only shown once. Rahman showed that the first time users try to stream an app, they get the permissions screen. Your device creates the “Link to Windows” permissions page for phone information (your apps), followed by the mirroring page.
There, users can specify whether mirroring should be allowed “always,” “only this time,” or “not allowed.”
If you tap Always Allow, you will no longer be constantly asked to accept permissions. However, your Android device must be on, not off (locked).
Previously, users had to constantly agree to an app streaming from their Android device to their computer. It was unnecessarily monotonous, but this small migration should alleviate that. Rahman adds that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Fold 6 have this feature because they are the only devices with the next iteration of the software.
Microsoft has announced a major overhaul of Phone Link, changing the name of the app from “Your Phone” and giving users a much clearer overview of everything Incorporating their phone on their computer, like their messages and other notifications. Minimizing the new sidebar provides an intuitive experience when receiving new notifications. This announcement came a few months after the launch of Windows 11, which brought even more UI changes for these users.
Since only Samsung’s latest foldable devices have access to One UI 6.1.1, the rest of the Galaxy portfolio is still waiting for it. Speculation had it coming before summer, but now we’re almost mid-August and there’s still no news. The software is said to bring a ton of AI improvements across the board.
Samsung confirmed this on its community forum, stating that users can expect new AI-powered camera features like Portrait Studio and Sketch to Image. Moreover, the weight of One UI 6.1.1 has reportedly delayed the release of One UI 7 (Android 15) in beta and stable versions.
