How to Change Notification Display in Windows 11 Phone Link App

Written byRichardTech Writer, IT Professional

Sep 29, 2023 Updated Apr 17, 2026 2 min read

This guide explains how to control how your phone’s notifications appear on your Windows 11 computer. Windows lets you use the Phone Link app  to link your phone so you can send messages and move files easily.

The Phone Link app lets you use your Android or iPhone apps right on your computer. You can use a Wi-Fi connection or Bluetooth connection to chat, shop, or browse using your keyboard and big monitor.

The app works with Windows Notifications Center to show pop-up banners in your notification center. By default, these banners show a preview of your messages. This means anyone looking at your screen can read your private texts.

Why change these settings?

You should change these settings to protect your privacy. If you work in a public place, you may not want your personal messages popping up on your screen for others to see.

What happens when you change these settings?

You can choose to hide the message text entirely, show only the person’s name who messaged you, or keep the default preview. When you hide the content, you will still get the alert, but the message itself will be kept private.

How to change notification settings

You can adjust these settings easily within the app. Note: You do not need admin privileges to change these user-level settings.

1. Open the Phone Link app on your computer.
2. If your phone is not connected yet, follow the prompts to add it.
3. If your phone is already connected, click the Settings button (the gear icon) at the top right corner.
4. Select General from the menu.

Scroll down to the Banners section. Look for “Choose how to display your PC notification banners” and pick one of these options:

• Hide all content: Hides everything, including the message text.
• Show with sender only: Shows only the name of the person messaging you.
• Show with preview: Shows the sender’s name and the message text.

Once you select your choice, your changes are saved automatically. You can close the window now.

Summary

The Phone Link app is a great tool for connecting your phone to your PC. By default, it shows message previews, which can be a privacy risk. By following the steps above, you can quickly hide your message content or show only the sender’s name. This simple change helps keep your personal conversations private while you work.