How to Allow Phone Link to Show Notification Banners in Windows 11
Phone Link notification banners are small pop-up alerts that show text messages, calls, and app updates from your phone right on your Windows 11 computer screen. This built-in tool, formerly known as Your Phone, bridges your Android device and PC so you can check important updates without picking up your phone.
Fix missing pop-up alerts quickly by changing just 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 small pop-ups save time by displaying texts and app updates right on the desktop.
How to enable or disable notification banners
To get Phone Link notification banners showing on a Windows 11 PC, confirm that notifications are enabled in both Windows settings and the Phone Link app. Open Windows Settings, navigate to System, then Notifications, and ensure 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.
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
If Phone Link notification banners fail to appear on Windows 11, the most common culprits are Focus Assist settings or permissions for background app activity. Focus Assist (Windows 11's version of a 'Do Not Disturb' mode) can hide incoming alerts. Check the Action Center to verify this feature is turned off. Also, ensure Phone Link holds permission 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.
Reliable banner delivery requires a few foundational checks. Confirm both devices share a Wi-Fi connection, update the Link to Windows app on mobile, and verify the PC runs the latest system patches.
Summary
To get Phone Link notification banners working on Windows 11, confirm that notifications remain enabled in both Windows settings and the Phone Link app, and that Focus Assist is off. Also, verify that Phone Link runs in the background and check that devices share a Wi-Fi network and remain updated. Remember, admin rights might prove necessary 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?
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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