UPDATE 9/26: The below updates and new features for Snipping Tool are now beginning to roll out to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel (version 11.2308.37.0 and higher). UPDATE 9/21: The below updates and new features for Snipping Tool are now beginning to roll out to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel (version 11.2308.37.0). Hello Windows Insiders, today we are beginning to roll out updates to Snipping Tool to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels to improve the overall capture experience on Windows 11. We are also beginning to roll out a Phone Link update to all Window Insiders that introduces notification prompting to open capture in Snipping Tool for markup.

Text Actions with Snipping Tool

With this update to Snipping Tool (version 11.2308.33.0), we are introducing Text Actions, which detects text in your captured screenshots, making it easy to copy text from any image to share with others or paste in another app. To get started, click the Text Actions button in the toolbar to show selectable text before selecting and copying text with your mouse. You can also click the Copy all text button in the toolbar or use Ctrl + A and Ctrl + C to select and copy all text using your keyboard. [caption id="attachment_176568" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Snipping Tool showing selectable text in a screenshot.[/caption] With Text Actions, you can also redact sensitive information in screenshots before sharing. Select Quick Redact from the toolbar to automatically hide emails and phone numbers or select any text and select Redact Text from the right-click menu to hide the text. [caption id="attachment_176569" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Snipping Tool showing redacted text in a screenshot of a bank statement.[/caption] FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Snipping Tool.

Remote capture with Phone Link

We are also beginning to gradually roll out a new feature for Phone Link (version 1.23082.123.0 or greater on PC) that introduces the ability to effortlessly access and edit your most recent photos from your Android mobile device in Snipping Tool on your PC. Say goodbye to missed opportunities as you'll receive instant notifications on your PC whenever a new photo is captured on your Android device, provided both devices are connected via Phone Link. [caption id="attachment_176570" align="alignnone" width="482"] Phone Link notification prompting to open capture in Snipping Too for markup.[/caption] FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Phone Link. We look forward to hearing your feedback on these updates! Thanks, Dave Grochocki, Principal Product Manager Lead – Windows Inbox Apps

As announced today by Panos, we are beginning an early preview of Phone Link for iOS on Windows 11 with Windows Insiders. The preview will begin rolling out to Insiders who have opted in their device into one of the 3 Insider Channels via Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program. If you are new to the Windows Insider Program, you can go here to get started. We are beginning this preview with a small percentage of Insiders at first throughout this week, which means not all Insiders will see the preview right away. We will increase the availability of the preview to more Insiders over time and based on feedback we receive with this first set of Insiders. The preview will require Phone Link app version 1.23012.169.0 and higher but the preview itself be controlled via the cloud.

Getting started for Insiders who receive the preview

If you are an Insider who receives the preview of Phone Link for iOS, you will see the option to pick your iPhone on the Phone Link homepage (in addition to choosing an Android device). If you see the iPhone button greyed out with a coming soon message, that means you are not yet in the preview. [caption id="attachment_176089" align="alignnone" width="1024"] New option to link an iPhone in Phone Link.[/caption] After choosing iPhone, the guided installation will kick off to pair your iPhone. You will be directed to follow a set of steps that will guide you to pair your iPhone and PC over Bluetooth. This will initiate after you scan a QR code shown on your screen, and then move on to the confirmation steps that helps us confirm the phone and PC are in range. During this step, you will be asked to confirm the code in Phone Link matches the code shown on your iPhone. Once you complete pairing, you’ll be asked to grant a set of permissions that allow us to get all your favorite content sync’d over to Phone Link. [caption id="attachment_176090" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Final step in the guided installation is to give the right permissions.[/caption] This is the final step. Phone Link will direct you to give permissions on your iPhone in your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings. This is an important step in getting notifications and contacts to show correctly in Phone Link from your iPhone. [caption id="attachment_176091" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Phone Link connected to an iPhone.[/caption] Once the guided installation completes and your iPhone is paired to your PC and the right permissions given, Phone Link will deliver basic iOS support for calls, messages, and contacts. This means you will be notified directly through your Windows notifications. Phone Link does not support replying to group messages or sending media in messages. As you try out this experience with your iPhone, if you run into any issues make sure you submit feedback via Feedback Hub under Apps > Phone Link. To see a list of known issues and to troubleshoot issues with the Phone Link Team – click here to visit this Microsoft Tech Community forum post. Thanks, Brandon