How to Show Phone Links Notifications on Windows 11 Taskbar
You can show Phone Link notifications directly on your Windows 11 taskbar to quickly see incoming messages, calls, and app alerts from your phone. Phone Link, formerly Your Phone, allows seamless integration between your Android or iPhone and your PC.
This feature helps you stay updated without needing to constantly switch windows or pick up your phone. You can manage which apps send notifications to your taskbar.
For example, seeing a missed call icon or a new SMS alert appear on your taskbar means you know immediately something needs your attention. This keeps your workflow uninterrupted.
Why Control Notification Badges?
Why do this? Controlling badges helps you manage your attention. If you see a red dot or a number on an icon, it can be distracting. Turning them off helps you work without constant interruptions. What happens when done? You gain control over your digital workspace. You decide when to check your messages instead of letting your computer decide for you.
How to Turn Notification Badges On or Off in Phone Link
Step 1: Open the Phone Link app on your computer.
Step 2: If you have not added a phone yet, follow the steps to add one. If you already have a phone connected, look for the Settings button. It looks like a gear icon at the top right corner of the app. Click it.
Step 3: Click on General from the menu that appears.
Step 4: Scroll down on the right side until you find the Badges section.
Step 5: Look for the option that says “Show badges for unread messages and notifications on your PC’s taskbar.” You will see a toggle switch next to it.
Step 6: To turn badges on, move the switch to the On position. To turn badges off, move the switch to the Off position.
Step 7: Your changes save automatically. You can now close the app.
Troubleshooting Missing Notifications
Are your notifications not showing up? This is a common issue. First, check if Do Not Disturb mode is on. You can find this in the notification center by clicking the clock area. If that is off, you may need to restart the Windows Explorer process.
How to restart Windows Explorer:
Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Step 2: Find Windows Explorer in the list of processes.
Step 3: Right-click it and select Restart. This refreshes your taskbar and system tray icons.
Customizing Your Taskbar Behavior
You can change how your taskbar looks and acts. Right-click an empty space on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Here, you can turn on Automatically hide the taskbar to save screen space. You can also change the alignment to the left or center. For more advanced customization, refer to the official Microsoft support documentation.
Summary
Managing your Windows 11 taskbar notifications is essential for a clean and productive desktop. By adjusting your badge settings, troubleshooting the Windows Explorer process, and configuring your system tray, you can ensure you only see the alerts that matter. Use these steps to keep your notifications organized and your privacy protected.
Why are my 🪟 Windows 11 taskbar notifications not showing up?
Notifications often fail to appear if Focus Assist or Do Not Disturb mode is enabled. Check your notification center settings to ensure these are disabled. Additionally, restarting the Windows Explorer process via the Task Manager can resolve temporary glitches that prevent icons and badges from appearing correctly on your taskbar.
How do I stop taskbar icons from flashing in 🪟 Windows 11?
Taskbar icons flash to alert you of pending actions. To stop this, you must address the notification or message within the specific app. If the behavior persists, you may need to edit the registry at 🗝️HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop and modify the ForegroundFlashCount value. Note: This requires admin privileges and should be done with caution.
What is the difference between notification badges and toast notifications?
Notification badges are the small numbers or dots that appear on top of an app icon in the taskbar to indicate unread items. Toast notifications are the pop-up banners that appear in the corner of your screen to provide real-time alerts and information from your apps or system.
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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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