Microsoft recently launched a new service Microsoft Phone Link. This new service aims to connect Windows 11 devices and Android smartphones to a single PC experience. This is done through the Windows 11 PC and by installing an Android app from the Google Play Store. Both the PC and Android smartphones will need to be connected to the same internet connection to make this work.
It’s also important to note that the preview is not dependent on any particular version of the Phone Link app, but it’s instead controlled by Microsoft through the cloud. It should be emphasized that the preview isn’t influenced by a specific version of the Phone Link application; rather, it’s managed by Microsoft via the cloud.
In this blog, we’ll discuss how this works and how you can use Phone Link to unify your Windows 11-11 PC and Android experience.
Understanding Microsoft Phone Link
What is Phone Link in Windows 11?
Phone Link in Windows 11 is a feature that allows you to connect your Android phone to your latest Windows 11 PC. Once connected, you can access your phone’s notifications, messages, photos, and other features right from your PC. This can be a useful tool for those who want to stay productive while on their computer, without having to constantly switch back and forth between devices.
To use Phone Link, you’ll need to download the Your Phone app on your PC and link it to your Android phone. From there, you can customize your Phone Link settings and start using the feature to stay connected and productive.
How does the Phone Link to windows work?
Phone Link in Windows 11 works by using the Your Phone app to connect your Android phone to your PC via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Once connected, the app provides a link between your phone and PC, allowing you to access certain features of your phone directly from your computer. Some of the features you can access through Phone Link include text messages, group messages notifications, photos, and more. You can even make and receive phone calls on your PC using the app, as long as your phone is nearby and connected.
Is Phone Link the same as Link to Windows?
No, the Phone Link is not the same as Link to Windows. While both features are designed to connect your Android phone to your Windows PC, they are separate and distinct applications.
Phone Link is a feature that is part of the Your Phone app in Windows 11, which allows you to access certain features of your Android phone directly from your PC. With Phone Link, you can access your phone’s notifications, messages, photos, and more, and even make and receive phone calls on your PC.
On the other hand, Link to Windows is a feature that is built into certain Samsung Android devices and is designed to connect your phone to your Windows 11 PC. Like Phone Link, Link to Windows allows you to access certain features of your phone on your PC, such as messages and notifications. However, Link to Windows is limited to Samsung devices and has a different set of features than Phone Link.
Can I delete Phone Link?
Yes, you can delete the Phone Link feature in Windows 11 by uninstalling the Your Phone app from your PC. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Start menu on your Windows 11 PC.
- Locate the Your Phone app in the list of installed apps.
- Right-click on the Your Phone app and select “Uninstall” from the context menu.
- Follow the prompts to uninstall the app from your PC.
Once you’ve uninstalled the Your Phone app, the Phone Link feature will no longer be available on your PC. Keep in mind that uninstalling the app will also remove any data or settings associated with Phone Link, so if you want to use the feature again in the future, you’ll need to reinstall the app and set it up again.
How to enable and disable Phone Link in Windows 11?
To enable and disable Phone Link in Windows 11, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Windows 11 PC.
- Click on “Phone” in the left-hand menu.
- Toggle the switch next to “Allow this PC to link to your phone” to enable or disable Phone Link.
Note that Phone Link is only available on Windows 11 PCs that have the necessary hardware and software requirements. If you don’t see the “Phone” option in your Settings app, your PC may not be compatible with Phone Link.
If you want to completely remove Phone Link from your Windows 11 PC, you can uninstall the Your Phone app using the standard Windows 11 uninstall process. To do this, go to the Start menu, find the Your Phone app, right-click on it, and select “Uninstall” from the context menu. This will remove the app and any associated features, including Phone Link, from your PC.
Why is Phone Link running in the background?
Phone Link in Windows 11 may run in the background to maintain a connection between your Android phone and your PC. This allows you to receive notifications, messages, and other updates from your phone on your PC in real time, even when the Your Phone app is not actively in use.
When Phone Link is running in the background, it uses a small number of system resources to maintain the connection between your devices. However, if you find that Phone Link is using too much CPU or memory, you can try adjusting your app settings to reduce the amount of data being synced between your devices.
Additionally, if you’re concerned about privacy or security, you may want to review the permissions granted to the Your Phone app and adjust them as needed. For example, you can disable certain app permissions, such as access to your contacts or camera, if you don’t want the app to have access to that data.
Connecting Your Phone to Windows 11
Can I link Windows 11 to an iPhone?
Yes, you can link a Windows 11 PC to an iPhone using the Your Phone app. However, the functionality is more limited compared to linking an Android phone to a Windows 11 PC.
When you link an iPhone to a Windows 11 PC using the Your Phone app, you can access certain features, such as text messages and photos, but not all features are available. For example, you cannot make or receive phone calls on your PC, and some messaging features may not be available.
To link your iPhone to your Windows 11 PC using the Your Phone app, you’ll need to follow a slightly different setup process compared to linking an Android phone. You’ll need to install the Your Phone Companion app on your iPhone from the App Store, and then follow the prompts to link your phone to your PC.
Keep in mind that certain hardware and software requirements must be met to use the Your Phone app on Windows 11 with an iPhone. Additionally, the functionality may be limited based on the model and version of your iPhone.
Microsoft Phone Link can now sync your iPhone with Windows 11
Great news for iPhone users who also use a Windows 11 PC: Microsoft’s Phone Link can now sync your iPhone with your PC!
Microsoft has released an updated version of the Your Phone app that includes new features for iPhone users. With the updated app, iPhone users can now access their photos, messages, and notifications on their Windows 11 PC, as well as make and receive phone calls directly from their PC.
To use the new features, iPhone users must be running iOS 15 or later on their device and must have the Your Phone app installed on their Windows 11 PC. The app is available for free in the Microsoft Store.
While the new features for iPhone users are a significant improvement, there may still be some limitations compared to Phone Link for Android users. However, the updated Your Phone app is a step in the right direction for users who want to seamlessly integrate their phone with their PC, regardless of which device they use.
Microsoft’s Phone Link app now lets you use iMessage from your PC
Microsoft’s Phone Link app has just received a major update that brings a new feature to Windows 11: the ability to use iMessage from your PC. This feature is a game-changer for iPhone users who also use a Windows 11 PC, as it allows them to seamlessly access iMessage conversations from their desktop or laptop.
To use iMessage on your Windows 11 PC, you will need to have the updated version of the Your Phone app installed, as well as have an iPhone running iOS 15 or later. Once you have connected your phone to your PC using Phone Link, you can access iMessage from the Your Phone app and send and receive messages just as you would on your phone.
This new feature is a significant improvement for iPhone users, as it eliminates the need to constantly switch between devices to access iMessage conversations. Additionally, the updated Your Phone app also allows users to access photos, and notifications, and make phone calls from their PC, making it a comprehensive tool for integrating your phone with your PC.
While the iMessage feature is currently only available to users in the United States, Microsoft has stated that it will be rolling out to other regions in the near future. If you are an iPhone user who also uses a Windows 11 PC, this is definitely a feature you will want to take advantage of!
How to Connect Your Android Phone to Your Windows 11 PC
If you’re an Android phone user and you want to connect your phone to your Windows 11 PC, you can use Microsoft’s Phone Link app. Here’s how to get started:
- Download the Your Phone app from the Microsoft Store on your PC.
- Open the Your Phone app and sign in with your Microsoft account.
- On your Android phone, download and install the Your Phone Companion app from the Google Play Store.
- Open the Your Phone Companion app and sign in with the same Microsoft account as on your PC.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to grant the necessary permissions for the app to access your phone’s data.
- Once your phone is connected to your PC, you should see a notification in the Your Phone app on your PC.
- Click on the notification to start using Phone Link. You can now access your phone’s photos, messages, notifications, and more on your Windows 11 PC.
Make sure your Android device is running Android 9.0 or later. You have a choice here between pairing using a QR code or entering a text code displayed in the PC’s Phone Link app into the phone’s companion app. You can either pair using a QR code or input a textual code from the PC’s Phone Link app into the corresponding app on your phone.
It’s worth noting that not all Android phones are compatible with Phone Link, and some features may not be available on all devices. However, if your phone is compatible, Phone Link can be a great tool for seamlessly integrating your phone with your PC.
How to connect iPhone to Windows 11 using Phone Link
As one of the highlights of the significant Windows 11 update, a preliminary version of Phone Link for iOS is introduced. With this feature, iPhone users could answer calls and messages directly from their Windows PC. Additionally, the upgrade includes improvements in the Notepad app tabs, energy efficiency guidelines, as well as a revamped Quick Assist app to help with computer issues remotely, among other things.
Connecting your iPhone to Windows 11 using Phone Link is a relatively simple process. Here’s what you need to do:
- Make sure your iPhone is running iOS 15 or later.
- Download and install the Your Phone app from the Microsoft Store on your Windows 11 PC.
- Open the Your Phone app and sign in with your Microsoft account.
- On your iPhone, download and install the Microsoft Edge app from the App Store.
- Open the Microsoft Edge app on your iPhone and go to the Your Phone Companion website.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to sign in with the same Microsoft account you used on your PC.
- Follow the prompts to grant the necessary permissions for the app to access your phone’s data.
- Once your iPhone is paired to your PC, you should see a notification in the Your Phone app on your PC.
- Click on the notification to start using Phone Link. You can now access your iPhone’s photos, messages, notifications, and more on your Windows 11 PC.
Microsoft is using Bluetooth to link and establish a connection between Windows devices and iPhones, allowing for the transmission of commands and messages to the user’s iMessage app & you will be able to sync messages from your iPhone.
It’s important to note that not all features may be available for iPhone users on Phone Link, and some features may have limitations compared to Android users. However, Microsoft is constantly updating the app with new features and improvements, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for updates.
Windows 11 Phone Link supports limited iPhone syncing in the preview
Microsoft’s phone link on your pc feature on Windows 11 now supports limited syncing with iPhones, although it is currently only available to Windows Insiders program. This is a significant development for iPhone users who also use a Windows 11 PC, as it allows them to seamlessly access their phone’s data from their desktop or laptop.
With the updated version of the Your Phone app, iPhone users can currently sync their photos, videos, and contacts with their Windows 11 PC. They can also send and receive text messages from their PC, although this feature is only available in select markets at this time. Additionally, iPhone users will also be able to see their recent iPhone activity on their Windows 11 PC, including recent photos and notifications.
While the syncing features for iPhone users are currently limited compared to Android users, Microsoft is working to expand the functionality of Phone Link for iPhone users. This is a positive sign for users who have been eagerly anticipating the ability to seamlessly integrate their iPhone with their Windows 11 PC.
How to Fix the Phone Link App Not Working in Windows 11
If you’re having trouble getting the Phone Link app to work on your Windows 11 PC, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:
- Check your phone’s compatibility: Make sure that your phone is compatible with Phone Link. Not all phones are supported, and some features may not work on all devices.
- Check for updates: Make sure that both your PC and phone are up to date with the latest software updates. Outdated software can sometimes cause issues with Phone Link.
- Restart your devices: Try restarting both your PC and your phone. This can sometimes help resolve connectivity issues.
- Check your internet connection: Make sure that your PC and phone are both connected to a stable internet connection. Phone Link requires a stable internet connection to function properly.
- Check your settings: Make sure that your phone and PC are set up correctly for Phone Link. Double-check that you have granted all necessary permissions for the app to access your phone’s data.
- Reinstall the app: If all else fails, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Phone Link app on both your PC and phone. This can sometimes help resolve any underlying issues.
If you have tried all of these steps and are still experiencing issues with Phone Link, it may be worth contacting Microsoft support for further assistance.
Using Phone Link
How do I make a phone call from my computer Windows 11?
To make a phone call from your Windows 11 PC, you can use the built-in Your Phone app:
- Open the Your Phone app on your Windows 11 PC.
- Connect your phone to your PC using Phone Link.
- Once your phone is connected, click on the “Calls” tab in the app.
- Use the search bar or scroll through your contacts to find the person you want to call.
- Click on the person’s name to open their contact details.
- Click on the “Call” button to initiate the call.
Note that you will need to have a microphone and speakers connected to your PC to be able to make and receive calls. You can also use a headset or Bluetooth earpiece for better audio quality. Additionally, your phone will need to be nearby and connected to the internet for the call to go through.
Where is my phone on Windows 11?
If you’ve set up Phone Link on your Windows 11 PC, you can access your phone’s content and features in the Your Phone app. Here’s how to find it:
- Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen.
- Scroll down the list of apps until you see the “Your Phone” app.
- Click on the app to open it.
- Once the app is open, you should see your phone’s content and features, including messages, notifications, photos, and more.
If you haven’t set up Phone Link yet, you can do so by following these steps:
- Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen.
- Search for and open the “Your Phone” app.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your phone to your PC using Phone Link.
- Once your phone is connected, you can access its content and features in the Your Phone app.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s Phone Link and Link to Windows offer a simple and efficient way for users to link their phones to their Windows 11 computers. With Phone Link, users can access their phone from their computer and use specific phone features. At the same time, Link to Windows allows Android users to link their phones to their Windows 11 computers. With this guide, you can make the most of these tools and stay connected and productive on your devices.
