How to Add Phone Link to Windows 11 Start Menu
Phone Link (an app that connects your phone to your PC) lets you read texts, view photos, and take calls right on your computer screen. Microsoft includes a quick shortcut for this app in Windows 11 version 22H2 and newer so you can pin it straight to the Start menu .
Pinning the app saves you from digging through the full app list every time your phone buzzes. You only need a few seconds in your PC settings to lock the app onto your Start screen for instant access.
Open Settings , go to Personalization, then Start, and toggle “Show mobile device in Start” on. Alternatively, edit the Windows Registry at Computer\🗝️HKEY_CURRENT_USER\
Add or Remove Phone Link from the Start Menu
You can add Phone Link Windows 11 integration directly through the Settings app to see texts and notifications without opening the full desktop application. Open Settings , choose Personalization, and toggle the app preferences to pin it quickly so your mobile device stays within reach while you work.
- Open the Settings app by clicking the Start menu or pressing the Win+I.
- Select Personalization from the left-hand menu.
3. Click on the Start option on the right side.
4. Locate 'Show mobile device in Start' and toggle the switch to your preferred setting.
Turning the Phone Link feature on places your phone as a shortcut on your Windows 11 Start menu, offering instant access to its apps and notifications.
Using the Windows Registry (Advanced)
The Windows Registry Editor lets you force add Phone Link Windows 11 shortcuts if the standard settings menu fails to show the app. This advanced method requires administrator permissions to modify system keys directly, so make sure to back up your system before making any changes.
- Open the Windows Registry by searching for it in the Start menu.
- Navigate to this path in the Registry Editor:
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Start\Companions\Microsoft.YourPhone_8wekyb3d8bbwe
3. Look for the `IsEnabled` value in the right-hand pane. If it's not present, right-click in the empty space, choose `New`, then `DWORD (32-bit) Value`, and name it `IsEnabled`.
Enabling the Phone Link feature requires double-clicking the IsEnabled setting in the registry editor. Changing its value to 1 activates the feature, while setting the value to 0 deactivates it.
Back up your computer before making changes.
5. Restart your computer to apply the changes.
Summary
Adding Phone Link to your Windows 11 Start menu refines how your phone and PC work together. Managing this setting happens through either the Settings app or the Registry Editor.
Reference: Microsoft.com
Was this guide helpful?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!