How to Allow Phone Link to Show Notification Banners in Windows 11
Phone Link notification banners show alerts from your phone directly on your Windows 11 PC.
These banners are small pop-up messages that appear in the corner of your screen, letting you see updates without interrupting what you’re doing.
The Phone Link app, which used to be called Your Phone, links your Android phone to your Windows 11 computer. It lets you manage calls, texts, photos, and app notifications right from your PC.
To make sure you see these important alerts, you need to check two places: Windows 11’s Focus Assist settings and the notification settings within the Phone Link app itself.
Go to Settings > System > Notifications and toggle Phone Link to On. Then, open Phone Link, click the gear icon, select Features, and turn Show notification banners On. Ensure Focus Assist is off in your Action Center.
Why use Phone Link notification banners?
Phone Link notification banners let you see phone alerts like texts and app alerts right on your Windows 11 PC, saving you from constantly checking your phone.
How to enable or disable notification banners
To get Phone Link notification banners showing on your Windows 11 PC, confirm that notifications are enabled in both Windows settings and the Phone Link app. Start by opening Windows Settings, navigating to System, then Notifications, and ensuring both the main Notifications toggle and the Phone Link app toggle are switched to On.
- Click the Start button and open Settings.
- Go to System and then Notifications.
- Make sure the main Notifications toggle is set to On.
- Scroll down to the list of apps. Find Phone Link and toggle it to On.
Now, let’s adjust the settings inside the Phone Link app itself:
- Open the Phone Link app on your computer.
- Click the Settings (gear icon).
- Select Features.
Under the Notifications section, use the toggle to turn Show notification banners to On or Off, depending on your preference.
Troubleshooting: Why notifications are not showing
If your Phone Link notification banners aren’t appearing on Windows 11, the most common culprits are Focus Assist settings or permissions for background app activity. Focus Assist, which functions like a ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode, can hide notifications. Check your Action Center to make sure it’s off. Also, ensure Phone Link is allowed to run in the background.
- Focus Assist/Do Not Disturb: If this mode is active, Windows hides notifications. Check your Action Center to ensure it is off.
- Background App Activity: Windows must allow Phone Link to run in the background. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Phone Link > Advanced options and set Background apps permissions to Always.
- Android Permissions: On your phone, open the Link to Windows app. Ensure it has permission to access notifications.
- Battery Optimization: Android may kill the app to save power. Disable battery optimization for the Link to Windows app in your phone settings.
Checklist for Phone Link Success
- Ensure your PC and phone are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Check that the Link to Windows app is updated on your Android device.
- Verify that your Windows 11 system is fully updated via Windows Update.
- Confirm that your Android device is not in Power Saving mode, which can block background syncing.
For Phone Link notification banners to work smoothly, a few key things need to be in place. Make sure your PC and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and that the Link to Windows app on your phone is up-to-date. Also, check that your Windows 11 system has the latest updates and your Android device isn’t in Power Saving mode, as this can stop background syncing.
Summary
To get Phone Link notification banners working on Windows 11, confirm that notifications are enabled in both Windows settings and the Phone Link app, and that Focus Assist is off. Also, verify that Phone Link can run in the background and check that your devices are on the same Wi-Fi and updated. Remember, admin rights might be needed on work computers.
Related posts:
How to link Android phones to Windows 11
How to turn on or off a cross-device copy and paste with phone link app in Windows 11
Why are my Phone Link notifications synced but not showing banners?
Your Phone Link notifications might be synced but not showing banners because Focus Assist or Do Not Disturb mode is active on your PC, hiding alerts.
How do I reset the Phone Link app if notifications stop working?
If your Phone Link notifications stop working, you can reset the app through Windows settings to fix the issue and then re-link your phone.
Was this guide helpful?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!