How to Switch Between Compact and Expanded View Using Phone Link on Windows 11
Phone Link (an app that connects your phone to Windows 11) lets you switch Android apps between compact and expanded views on your PC. The compact view shows your apps in a small, single-panel window, while the expanded view opens a larger, multi-panel layout with more details.
Change these layouts by dragging the edges of the Phone Link window to make it bigger or smaller. Switch to the expanded view when you want to see more information at once, or use the compact view to save screen space while you work on other tasks.
In the Phone Link app, click the “Expanded screen” button at the top right to see more detail. Click the “Compact screen” button to save screen space. You can also simply resize the app window.
Why use this feature?
Compact view saves screen space while you work on other tasks, while expanded view gives you more detail for reading. Switching layouts lets you decide the best way for your phone apps to fit on your computer desktop.
What happens when done?
Switching views in the Phone Link app changes how your Android apps appear on your computer screen. This adjustment lets you resize app windows to fit more or less of your desktop workspace. This layout feature requires Phone Link version 1.25091 or newer running on Windows 11.
With the Phone Link app on your PC linked to your phone, you can use your Android apps on your computer. This works over Wi-Fi and lets you chat, shop, and play using your big screen.
These layout options require Phone Link version 1.25091.39.0 or higher.
How to change the view
- While in the Phone Link app on Windows PC, open an Android app. You can find these in your Start menu, taskbar, or the Phone Link app.
Changing the view inside the Phone Link app takes just a couple of clicks while using an Android app on your Windows 11 PC. You simply open any phone app from your Start menu or the main app window, then click the view-switching toggle located near the top right corner of the screen.
- Look at the top of the app window.
- Click the Expanded screen button on the right side.
- If a box pops up, click Switch to confirm.
Click Switch in the confirmation box to proceed. Select 'Don't ask again' to skip this confirmation for future view changes. Return to the previous view by clicking the Back button.
To use the Compact view:
- Look at the top of the app window.
- Click the Compact screen button on the right side.
- If a box pops up, click Switch to confirm.
Summary
Switch between a small and larger window for Android apps using the buttons in the app's top bar. Pick the size that works best for specific tasks. No special admin rights are required to perform these steps.
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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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