88 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2020WINDOWS 10
be done. Setup will likely ensure that Bluetooth is on
both devices, but not always. The setup process will
also probably pair both devices for you, but when I
switched test phones I had to perform these steps
manually. Make sure both devices are on the same
Wi-Fi network for easier communication. And when
it’s finally up and running, you’ll probably need to
approve separate Your Phone Companion permissions
for texting, then calls, then notifications, and so on.
It’s a hassle, but the permissions are there to make
sure apps don’t abuse your privacy.
Don’t be turned off by the apparent complexity.
We’ve detailed a lot of the steps that Windows should
take care of behind the scenes, and some of this is just
stepping through the normal privacy approvals.How to use Your Phone
Once setup is completed, it’s time to actually use
Your Phone. Here’s a quick guide to the ins and outs
of each of the apps.
One potential problem has to do with your
smartphone’s on-screen keyboard. Your Phone is
designed to let you access your phone from your PC,
using your physical keyboard to connect to it and
respond to messages. I was shocked to discover that
when I picked up my phone (by habit) to respond to
a text, that the on-screen keyboard had disappeared.
If that happens, try searching for the ‘keyboard’ in the
Android Settings menu on your phone, and then be
sure that there’s an option to enable the on-screen
keyboard even if your PC is doing the typing. That
will allow you the freedom to use your phone as you’d88 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2020WINDOWS 10
be done. Setup will likely ensure that Bluetooth is on
both devices, but not always. The setup process will
alsoprobablypairbothdevicesforyou,butwhenI
switchedtest phones I had to perform these steps
manually. Make sure both devices are on the same
Wi-Fi network for easier communication. And when
it’s finally up and running, you’ll probably need to
approve separate Your Phone Companion permissions
fortexting,thencalls,thennotifications,andsoon.
It’sa hassle,butthepermissionsaretheretomake
sureappsdon’t abuse your privacy.
Don’t be turned off by the apparent complexity.
We’ve detailed a lot of the steps that Windows should
take care of behind the scenes, and some of this is just
stepping through the normal privacy approvals.How to use Your Phone
Oncesetupis completed,it’stimetoactuallyuse
YourPhone.Here’sa quickguidetotheinsandouts
ofeach of the apps.
One potential problem has to do with your
smartphone’s on-screen keyboard. Your Phone is
designed to let you access your phone from your PC,
using your physical keyboard to connect to it and
respond to messages. I was shocked to discover that
when I picked up my phone (by habit) to respond to
a text, that the on-screen keyboard had disappeared.
If that happens, try searching for the ‘keyboard’ in the
Android Settings menu on your phone, and then be
sure that there’s an option to enable the on-screen
keyboard even if your PC is doing the typing. That
will allow you the freedom to use your phone as you’d