How to Allow Phone Link to Show Notification Banners in Windows 11
This guide shows you how to manage Phone link apps notification banners on your Windows 11 computer. Windows lets you use the Phone Link app to link an Android phone to Windows and move files between your phone and your PC.
Why use Phone Link notification banners?
Connecting your phone to your computer helps you stay focused. You can see text messages and app alerts directly on your desktop. Why do this? It saves time because you do not need to pick up your phone every time it buzzes. What happens when you do this? You can reply to messages, snooze alarms, and dismiss alerts from your PC. These actions sync back to your Android phone instantly.
How to enable or disable notification banners
To see notifications, you must ensure your system settings are configured correctly.
- 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, you need to 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 settings are correct but you still do not see banners, check these common areas:
- 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 more details, visit the official Microsoft Support page.
Summary
Linking your Android phone to Windows 11 lets you manage alerts without checking your phone. By checking your Windows notification settings, disabling Focus Assist, and ensuring the Link to Windows app has proper permissions, you can fix most display issues. This setup keeps you productive and connected.
Note: Some system-wide notification settings may require admin privileges to modify if you are on a managed work or school computer.
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?
This often happens if Focus Assist or Do Not Disturb mode is enabled on your PC. These modes suppress banners to keep you focused. Check your Windows Action Center to ensure these features are turned off. Also, verify that the Phone Link app has permission to send notifications in your system settings.
How do I reset the Phone Link app if notifications stop working?
If notifications stop working, you can reset the app. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find Phone Link, click the three dots, and select Advanced options. Click the Reset button. Note: This may require admin privileges to modify system-level app data. You will need to re-link your phone afterward.
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