How to Enable or Disable Phone Link in Windows 11

Prerequisites for Phone Link

Check the requirements below before you start. Most pairing failures come from one of them not being met. The PC needs Windows 11, and the phone needs Android 9.0 or later. The phone also needs the Link to Windows app. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and both must be signed in to the same Microsoft Account.

• A PC running Windows 11. Phone Link is part of Windows 11, so Home and Pro both have it.
• An Android device running Android 9.0 or later. To check, open the phone’s Settings and look under About phone.
• The Link to Windows app installed on your phone. Many recent Samsung phones already have it preinstalled.
• Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. A guest network or a VPN on either device can stop them from finding each other.
• You must be signed into the same Microsoft Account on both devices. If the PC uses a local account, sign in to the Microsoft Account inside Phone Link when it asks.

How to Set Up Phone Link

Setting up Phone Link takes a few minutes. You open the app on the PC, choose your phone type, and scan a QR code with the phone. After that, texts, photos and calls show up on your desktop.

Keep the phone nearby and unlocked during setup. You will need to approve several permission prompts on it.

What happens when done? Your phone and PC will pair. You can then see your messages, photos, and apps directly on your desktop. On an iPhone, you get calls, messages and notifications only.

1. Open the Phone Link app on your PC. Click Start, type Phone Link, and select it from the results. The app window opens with a choice of phone types.
2. Select your device type (Android). If you have an iPhone, choose iPhone instead and follow the Bluetooth 🔷 pairing prompts. Phone Link now shows a QR code and tells you to open the app on your phone.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan the QR code pairing display with your phone. Open the Link to Windows app on the phone, sign in with the same Microsoft Account, and point the camera at the QR code on your PC screen. Once the code is accepted, the phone asks you to confirm the connection.
4. Grant the necessary permissions on your phone to allow the app to access your contacts, messages, and photos. Tap Allow on each prompt. If you refuse one, the matching feature stays blank in Phone Link. You can change permissions later in the phone’s app settings. When setup finishes, the Phone Link window on the PC starts showing your phone’s content.

Enable or Disable Phone Link in Windows Settings

You can manage this feature through the Settings app. It is the easiest way to switch Phone Link on or off, and it works the same on Home and Pro. Changing the switch does not require a restart, and you can reverse it at any time by flipping the switch back.

1. Open the Windows Settings ⚙️ app by pressing Win+I. The Settings ⚙️ window opens.
2. Click on Bluetooth 🔷 & devices on the left. The device options appear on the right.
3. Click the Mobile devices tile. If you don’t see it, update Windows 11 through Settings › Windows Update 🔃, since older builds don’t include this page.
4. Select the Phone Link tile and use the switch to turn it On or Off. On some builds the switch is labeled Allow this PC to access your mobile devices. When it is off, the PC stops syncing data and notifications from your phone. Turning it back on lets you reconnect.

Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues

If your devices won’t connect, work through these steps in order. Test the connection after each one, so you know which step fixed it.

• Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices. On the PC, check Settings › Bluetooth & devices On the phone, check the quick settings panel.
• Check that ‘Focus Assist’ or ‘Do Not Disturb’ is not blocking notifications. Windows 11 calls this Do not disturb in newer builds and Focus assist in earlier ones. Check Do Not Disturb on the phone as well, because it can silence notifications before they reach the PC.
• Restart both your phone and your PC. This clears most stuck background connections.
• Update the Link to Windows app from the Google Play Store. Also update Phone Link on the PC through the Microsoft Store, since an app version mismatch can break pairing. If it still fails, remove the phone from Phone Link and pair again from the start.

Advanced Configuration (Admin Required)

ADMIN PRIVILEGES REQUIRED: To manage these settings for all user accounts, use the Local Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor (a database of low-level system settings). The Local Group Policy Editor is only included in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise and Education. On Home, you have to use the Registry Editor. Before you edit the registry, create a restore point or export the key as a backup, so you can undo a mistake. You may need to sign out and back in, or restart, before a change takes effect.

This path sits under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, so changes made here apply to the account you are signed in with. Other user accounts on the PC are not affected.

Summary

Phone Link is a built-in Windows 11 feature that connects your smartphone to your computer. You can check texts, calls, and notifications without picking up your device. You can turn it off at any time if you want better privacy or fewer distractions while you work on your PC. Turning it off does not delete anything from your phone.

• What is it? A feature to sync your Android or iPhone with your PC.
• Why turn it off? To improve privacy or reduce distractions, for example on a shared or work PC.
• What happens? Your PC stops syncing data and notifications from your mobile device.
• How to do it: Use the Settings app for a simple toggle, or use advanced editors (Local Group Policy Editor on Pro, Registry Editor on any edition) for system-wide control.