Using a Windows 365 Cloud PC via a USB-C connected iPhone

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Introduction

Microsoft released an update to Windows 365 recently that allows iPhone users to control the mouse via bluetooth when connected via a USB-C connected iPhone. In this blog post myself and my MVP buddy Paul Winstanley look at the new feature, review it’s capabilities, take it for a spin and give our thoughts.

We previously tested accessing Cloud PC’s from a USB-C connected iPhone docked to a HP E-24M docking station/monitor combo, but the experience was not good as the only mouse support at that time was using the iPhone’s screen as a touchpad. Paired bluetooth mice did not work and neither did USB connected mice. Now however, Microsoft have solved that problem, at least if you use their mouse. This blog post is broken down into the following sections:

• Prerequisites
• Optional Extras
• Updating the firmware
• Pairing bluetooth devices
• Install the Windows app
• Configure Windows app permissions
• Configuring Auto-lock on the phone
• Connecting to your Cloud PC
• Video meetings
• Multi-monitor support
• Summary

So let’s get started!

Prerequisites

As usual there are some prerequisites highlighted below:

• The Enterprise user must be licensed for Windows 365, Intune and Entra ID P1.
• Compatible Microsoft bluetooth mouse as documented here.
• Apple iPhone 15, 16 or 17 with USB-C support

Optional extras to make the experience even better include:

• A monitor or docking solution capable of USB-C connection
• A bluetooth or USB connected keyboard
• A bluetooth headset
• A stand to support your iPhone while docked

Updating the firmware

Once you meet the prerequisites all you need to do is ensure the firmware of your supported Microsoft mouse is updated on a Windows PC to version 2.2 or later before starting.

Download the firmware from here and verify the version of the firmware on a Windows PC via the Surface app. The strange thing about updating the firmware is you must first install the MSI (elevated), restart the computer then pair the mouse to the Windows computer, then wait 10 minutes for it to update. It’s all in the instructions.

To verify the firmware version, install the Microsoft Surface app on that Windows computer, and you’ll see the firmware version in that app. If it doesn’t update, close and then re-open the app.

Pairing bluetooth devices

Now that the Microsoft Arc mouse firmware is up to date, simply pair it with your iPhone. Once done, you can optionally pair a bluetooth keyboard or use a USB keyboard plugged into the HP dock (monitor) and pair your bluetooth headset.

Note: Even when you pair a bluetooth headset to your iPhone, when it’s connected via USB-C to a dock or external monitor it behaves differently and will always want to default to the audio capabilities of the docked monitor via USB-C. What this means in practice is that after you’ve docked to the HP monitor with your iPhone, and playback audio, the audio will come from the speakers in the monitor.

To solve this, from the top right of the iPhone swipe down to show the widgets menu.

Select the audio playback widget (top right of this screen). Click the speaker output option and finally, select your bluetooth headset.

Install the Windows app

At this point, install the Windows app from the Apple App Store if you haven’t already done so. Once installed click on + in the Windows app to add your work account, that will give you access to any Cloud PC’s provisioned for your account.

After adding your work account, any Cloud PC’s made available to your account will show in the Windows app.

Note: The notifications icon in the Windows app is useful to keep track of, click on it to see what it’s alerting you to.

Configuring Windows app permissions

In the newly installed Windows app, click on your username photo in the top left and select App permissions, flip the following settings to On.

• Camera
• Location
• Microphone
• Bluetooth
• Local network

Configure Auto-lock on the iPhone

On your phone, you may want to configure screen lock from the default 30 seconds to 5 minutes while using your Cloud PC, otherwise when your iPhone locks the screen you’ll be disconnected from your Cloud PC session.

Below is what you’ll see when the iPhone screen locks.

To configure it, open settings, Display and Brightness and scroll down to Auto-lock.

Set it to your desired timeout and if necessary, but don’t forget to revert it after you are finished with the Cloud PC. For security reasons never leave your phone unattended when this is set this way.

Connecting to your Cloud PC

To connect to your cloud PC, once the above is done, simply plug in the USB-C cable from  your docking solution/USB-C monitor.

On your iPhone, open the Windows app, and click on your Cloud PC. It will appear on your HP monitor, but most likely in an incorrect resolution. To use the correct resolution, you’ll need to configure the resolution settings in your Windows app by clicking on the Windows icon and selecting the appropriate resolution, usually 1920×1080, or configure the desired resolution in the Windows app by clicking on your username photo, and selecting the option there.

Video meetings

To have a video meeting in Microsoft Teams, you must use the camera in your iPhone. Camera’s built into monitors or docking monitors are not supported, therefore you’ll probably want a stand to support your iPhone in a suitable location.

Once the phone is placed in a suitable spot, you can use the phone's camera for Teams/Webex/Zoom meetings.

Multimonitor support

This solution only supports one monitor, the monitor that you are currently connected to. Dual monitors are not supported for this scenario. If you require dual or more monitors use a Windows computer with the Windows app, or macOS.

Summary

We were left very impressed, being able to work by simply bringing your iPhone to a desk that has a docking station with the Microsoft Arc mouse is actually a killer feature. You can absolutely work using this setup, and even receive phone calls on your phone while working on the Cloud PC.

But while this is definitely a huge step forward for using your Cloud PC via an iPhone, there are still some gaps that hopefully will be solved in the future. We summarize them below:

We would like to see the ability to use any popular bluetooth mouse (such as the Logitech MX Master) which allow connections from up to 3 different devices. The Microsoft Surface Arc mouse can only connect to one device and it does not feel as professional as the Logitech mice.

We would also like to see better security or options regarding the auto-lock feature of the iPhone screen, in conjunction with the connection to your Cloud PC. Once the screen locks on your iPhone, it instantly disconnects your Windows 365 session which makes working hard/frustrating. Setting the timeout to 5 minutes or never helps, but it’s a security risk in an Enterprise.

Also, why does the iPhone forget your chosen external resolution every time you connect, can’t we set that in the Windows app and make it stick?

Thanks Microsoft for yet another update to Windows 365, this one really is well worth checking out. Highly recommended and a genuine use-case here!

see you in the next one,

Niall & Paul