How to Access Phone Link Notifications in Windows 11
Windows 11’s Phone Link feature shows your phone’s alerts directly on your PC screen.
Phone Link, formerly known as Your Phone, lets you link your Android or iOS phone to your Windows 11 computer.
This connection makes your phone’s calls, texts, and app notifications appear on your desktop, so you don’t need to grab your phone to see them.
In Windows 11, Phone Link can display up to 40 of your most recent notifications.
This helps you stay focused on your computer while still catching important updates from your phone.
Open the Phone Link app on your PC, click the Settings gear icon, select Features, and then choose your notification preferences. Ensure your phone and PC are linked and that notification permissions are enabled on your phone’s Link to Windows app.
What Happens When You Enable Notifications?
Once enabled, your PC mirrors alerts from your Android device. You’ll see them in the Windows Action Center (that’s the panel where Windows shows alerts and quick settings) or as pop-up banners. This means you can reply quickly and handle multiple tasks more effectively.
Supported Devices
Phone Link works best with Android devices running Android 9.0 or later. Make sure the Link to Windows app is installed on your phone. Connecting both your phone and PC to the same Wi-Fi network ensures the best experience.
Step-by-Step: Enabling Permissions on Android
Your Android phone needs specific permission to share alerts with Windows 11. To grant this permission, you must follow detailed steps on your Android device, ensuring the Phone Link app can receive and display notifications for you.
- Open the Link to Windows app on your phone.
- Tap Settings.
- Find Notifications and toggle it to On.
- When prompted, tap Allow to grant access to your notifications.
How to Access Phone Link Notifications in 🪟 Windows 11
You can access and manage your Phone Link notifications in Windows 11 right within the Phone Link app itself. Open the app, click the gear icon for settings, then choose ‘Features.’ Under the ‘Notifications’ section, you can select how you want your phone alerts to appear on your PC.
- Open the Phone Link app on your PC.
- Click the Settings (gear icon) button.
- Select Features.
- Under Notifications, choose how you want to see your alerts.
Troubleshooting Common Sync Issues
If your Phone Link notifications aren’t showing up on your PC, there are a few common sync issues you can fix by checking settings on both your phone and computer. Make sure Focus Assist is off on your PC, and on your phone, check that battery saving isn’t blocking the Link to Windows app. Restarting both devices can also help.
- Check that Focus Assist or Do Not Disturb mode is turned off on your PC.
- Ensure Battery Optimization is disabled for the Link to Windows app on your phone.
- Restart both your PC and your phone.
- Verify that your PC and phone are connected to the same network.
Customizing Your Experience
Summary
Phone Link notifications keep you updated on your PC. Once you grant permissions on your Android and adjust settings in the Windows app, you can mirror alerts, reply to messages, and silence unwanted notifications. If notifications aren’t syncing, check your network and notification permissions to get them working again.
Why are my Phone Link notifications not showing up?
Your Phone Link notifications might not be showing up mainly because of permission settings on your Android phone or if Focus Assist is on in Windows.
Can I reply to messages directly from the notification?
Yes, for many messaging apps, you can reply directly from the notification banner on your Windows desktop. Just click the Reply button on the notification pop-up, type your message, and hit send. This allows you to keep working on your PC without needing to pick up your 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.
It is not clear what the difference is between “opening notifications banners in the Phone Link vs the mobile app”.
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