How to Allow Phone Link to Show Notification Banners in Windows 11
Phone Link notification banners put text messages, phone calls, and app alerts directly on your Windows 11 screen so you do not have to pick up your phone. This built-in tool, formerly known as Your Phone, bridges your Android device and PC to display alerts in real time.
Fix missing pop-up alerts quickly by changing two settings. You need to check the notification rules inside the Phone Link app on your PC and make sure Windows 11 notifications are turned on for the app.
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?
These pop-ups save time by displaying texts and app updates right on the desktop.
How to enable or disable notification banners
Phone Link notification banners appear on your screen when you turn on alerts in both the Windows 11 settings menu and the Phone Link app itself. Open Settings , go to System, and select Notifications to check your switches. If either the main system toggle or the specific Phone Link toggle is off, you will not see incoming message popups or app alerts on your desktop.
- 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.
Next, adjust the preferences inside the Phone Link app:
- 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 personal preference.
Troubleshooting: Why notifications are not showing
Phone Link notifications not showing up usually happens because Do Not Disturb mode is blocking them or the app lacks permission to run in the background. Check your Windows 11 taskbar to turn off Do Not Disturb, and confirm the Phone Link app can run background tasks so your computer can receive alerts from your phone without delay.
- 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.
Phone Link requirements on Windows 11 include keeping both your computer and phone on the same Wi-Fi network and updating all related apps. You also need to make sure your Android phone is not using power saving mode, which blocks the background syncing needed to push text messages and alerts straight to your desktop.
Summary
Fix Phone Link notification banners on Windows 11 by turning on app alerts in your system settings, turning off Do Not Disturb mode, and letting the app run in the background. Once your PC and phone share a stable Wi-Fi connection and run the latest software updates, your incoming phone alerts will pop up on your screen normally.
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?
Phone Link notifications might sync without showing banners because Focus Assist or Do Not Disturb mode remains active on the PC, hiding alerts.
How do I reset the Phone Link app if notifications stop working?
If Phone Link notifications stop working, resetting the app through Windows settings resolves the issue before re-linking the phone.
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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.
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