How to Manage Calls in Windows 11 with Phone Link
Phone Link in Windows 11 lets you make and receive phone calls on your PC without picking up your smartphone. This built-in Microsoft app connects your phone to your computer over Bluetooth . The call audio then plays through your PC speakers and microphone (or a headset plugged into the PC), while the call itself still runs on your phone’s cellular plan.
You can view recent call history, browse your contacts, and dial numbers straight from your desktop. The app works with both Android and iOS devices, but the feature set differs. Android phones can also use extras such as screen mirroring and app access, and these depend on the phone model. iPhones support calls, messages and notifications, but not screen mirroring or apps.
Open the Phone Link app on your PC, click Settings at the top right, select Features, then toggle the Calls switch On or Off. When enabled, the Calls tab displays your recent calls and dialer. Bluetooth must be on both devices and they must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
System Requirements and Compatibility
Here’s what you’ll need. Check each item before you start, because a missing piece is the most common reason calls do not show up:
- An Android device running Android 9.0 or later.
- The Link to Windows app installed on your phone.
- Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Bluetooth must be enabled on both your PC and your phone.
How to Enable or Disable Calls
- Open the Phone Link app on your PC.
- Click the Settings (gear icon) at the top right.
- Select Features.
- Look for the Calls section.
- Toggle the switch to On or Off.
When you finish, Phone Link should show your phone as connected. The Calls tab should list your recent calls and offer a dialer. If you see no calls or no dialer, the Bluetooth pairing or a permission on the phone is usually the cause. Check that your phone accepted the pairing request and that call access is allowed. The troubleshooting steps further down cover this.
A standard user account can set up Phone Link and manage calls. It works the same on Windows 11 Home and Pro. It is also tied to the Microsoft account or the user profile you are signed in with, so each user on a shared PC sets it up separately.
Troubleshooting and Error Handling
If call features stop working, remove the old pairing and pair the phone again. This fixes most call problems.
- On the PC, open Settings Bluetooth & devices Devices
- Find your phone in the list, select the three dots next to it, and choose Remove device.
- On the phone, open the Bluetooth settings and remove (or "forget") your PC from the paired devices list.
- Make sure Bluetooth is on for both devices, then pair them again and reopen Phone Link.
Once the phone is paired, check that it is listed as connected in Phone Link before you try a call. If you still have trouble after re-pairing, the official Microsoft Troubleshoot Calls page has extra guidance for stubborn connection problems.
Important Limitations
Can I use Phone Link to call emergency services? No. Phone Link is not a replacement for cellular service and cannot dial emergency numbers like 911. Always use your mobile handset in a critical situation. It is faster and more reliable, and it can share your location with emergency services.
Summary
Phone Link routes your mobile calls through your PC audio, and you can turn individual features on or off at any time using the steps above. If you want to stop using it for calls, turn that feature off there, or remove the phone from your Bluetooth devices as described earlier. Keep Bluetooth on at both ends while you use calling. Keeping Wi-Fi on as well helps the other Phone Link features stay reliable, but the call connection itself depends on Bluetooth.
Can I delete my recent call history from the PC?
How many recent calls can I view in Phone Link?
Why don't I see the call option in my Phone Link app?
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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.
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