Microsoft’s personal launcher for Android namely Arrow Launcher features a handy option for sending files between your Android device and a PC. This feature takes advantage of Microsoft’s own cloud storage option, OneDrive. Once you get familiar with how it works and begin to feel its benefits, I am sure you will find it quite powerful and reliable just like every other Microsoft product on Android.
To get started, download (latest update) Arrow Launcher, in case you have not already.
Installed? OK! you are ready to rock. Follow the steps below for sending files between your Android smartphone and a PC.
How to send files from an Android phone to a PC with Arrow Launcher
- Open Arrow settings and tap on Accounts.
- Sign in with a (valid) Microsoft account of your choice.
- Once you are done in step 2 above, head back and tap on Utility Page.
- Slide the toggle to “Enable Utility page“.
- From the home screen, swipe right to reveal the Utility Page. You will find quite a lot of stuff ranging from your frequently used apps to recent contacts to people.
- Scroll down and look for Arrow Hub (Quick Tip: Tap on three vertical dots and select Pin to a new page).
- When you are ready to upload, tap the upload button.
- Tapping on Upload button will reveal more options like Image, Video, Document, and Clipboard. (Yes! Clipboard).
- For this demo, I will be uploading an image. Select the image option, and then select the source. (OneDrive, Google Drive, Gallery etc.)
- Browse over to the image/photo to upload and wait while it finishes uploading. (You can also upload multiple files at the same time).
After you are done uploading the required files, now is the time to access/view them on your PC. Follow the steps below on how to achieve the same.
How to access/download/view files on PC (Web Hub)
- Open a web browser and browse to this page.
- Sign in with the same Microsoft account used earlier.
- Once signed in, you will be to view the uploaded content in a timeline like fashion. The UI is much like the Arrow Hub on phone except the fact that it is on the web and you can access it on any PC with an internet connection and browser, of course.
- Hovering on any file reveal options like download and delete. (Note: deleting a file from Web Hub deletes it from the phone’s Arrow Hub too.)
One thing that is quite cool is the fact that you can also send files from your PC to your Android phone in a similar but reverse fashion. As can be seen in the Web Hub, clicking on the big blue + button opens up a familiar system dialog where you can choose to upload a file on your PC and quickly get it on your phone.
All of the above stuff is powered by OneDrive cloud sharing. If you sign-in to your OneDrive space, you should find a folder named Arrow launcher. Open the folder and you will find another hub folder. Open that up and you will see the exact same content that is displayed on Web Hub, which is definitely not surprising in any way.
Give it a try and do let us know your thoughts, how was your experience with Arrow Hub. Alos, share the post with your friends and let them know.
