How to Set Up Windows 11 Phone Link: Connect Your Phone

Getting Started with Phone Link

Initial setup steps establish the foundation required for stable device pairing. New users or anyone reconfiguring the utility should begin here to understand device linking and authentication.

1 How to Sign In and Out of Phone Link on Windows 11 The article outlines how to sign in and out of the Phone Link app on Windows 11, which allows users to link their phones and PCs to access apps and data seamlessly. Signing in requires a Microsoft account and the Link to Windows app. Signing out is managed through the app's settings. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

2 How to Link Your iPhone to Windows 11 Using Phone Link The article provides instructions for connecting an iPhone to Windows 11 using the Phone Link app. This app, initially available for Android phones, now supports iPhone devices, enabling seamless communication and data transfer between PC and phone. It supports Voice over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allows sending and receiving text messages, and replicates actions performed on the phone. 3 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

Managing Calls, Texts, and Notifications

Linked devices require active management for communication and alerts. These guides demonstrate how to handle incoming calls, send text messages, and review phone notifications on the desktop.

1 How to Manage Calls in Windows 11 with Phone Link This article provides a guide on how to enable or disable the "Phone Link" feature in Windows 11, which allows a user to link their phone and PC. Phone Link enables a variety of functions including accessing phone apps, sending and receiving messages, and managing calls from a PC. Users can customize settings like display notifications, audio sources, and mobile syncing, among others. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

2 How to Control Text Message Notifications in Windows 11 Phone Link This concise guide is about managing the "Allow Phone Link to show text messages from my mobile device" option in the Phone Link app on Windows 11. Activating this option allows text messages from a user's mobile device to be shown in the notification banners on the PC by default, while deactivating does the opposite. The tutorial includes step-by-step instructions on how to enable or disable this option. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

3 How to Access Phone Link Notifications in Windows 11 The Phone Link app connects your phone and PC through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing access to phone apps and data on your PC. This feature provides numerous controls like display of notifications, audio selection, unlinking phone, enabling auto-startup, and much more. By enabling notifications, users can access important updates from their phone on the PC, thus offering convenience during simultaneous usage. 3 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

4 How to Show Phone Links Notifications on Windows 11 Taskbar The article advises on how to manage the 'Show badges for unread messages and notifications on your PC's taskbar' feature on the Phone Link app in Windows 11. This feature, aimed at enhancing privacy, can be toggled on or off and displays the number of unread messages and notifications from a linked phone on the PC's taskbar. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

5 How to Send and Receive Text Messages on Windows 11 The Phone Link app in Windows 11 enables users to send and receive text messages, access phone apps, and transfer data between a PC and a smartphone using a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. After linking the phone using Bluetooth or the same Wi-Fi network, users can type in messages, add emojis or GIFs, and hit send within the Phone Link app. Notifications for incoming messages are also displayed. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

Accessing Photos and Files

Photos and local files move freely between hardware platforms. Reviewing pictures, adjusting file access permissions, and transferring media documents operate through the primary interface.

1 How to Change “All File Access” on linked Mobile Device for Phone Link The "All File Access" setting in the Windows Phone Link app controls whether your computer can open and view photos, videos, and… 5 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

2 How to Share Files from Android to Windows 11 This article details how to share files from an Android device to a Windows 11 PC using the Phone Link app. By linking the devices via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, users can seamlessly transfer files, access apps, and receive notifications. The process involves selecting files, utilizing the Link to Windows app, and allows for customizable storage. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

3 How to Change Phone Link Download Folder in Windows 11 This article outlines the steps to change the default downloads folder for the Phone Link app on Windows 11. The app connects your phone and PC via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing file sharing. Users can modify the default storage location by accessing settings in the Phone Link app and selecting a new folder via File Explorer. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

4 How to Access Photos with Windows 11 Phone Link App The article instructs on utilizing the Phone Link app in Windows 11 to view and manage photos and screenshots from your Android or iPhone on your PC. This app allows only access to photos in your phone's Camera Roll or Screenshots folders, facilitating browsing, playing, ordering, chatting, etc, using a PC's larger screen and keyboard. Through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, users can view, download, and share these images. 3 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

5 How to Drag and Drop Files Between Phone and Windows 11 The article describes how to use the Phone Link app to transfer files between a phone and Windows 11, using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The app allows users to access phone apps from a PC, drag and drop files, excluding folders, with a limit of 100 files and a total size of 512 MB. Additionally, OneDrive can be used for backing up and restoring files. 2 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

Advanced Features and Customization

Advanced capabilities include screen mirroring and desktop app shortcuts. Customizing interface appearance integrates the utility deeper into the Windows environment.

1 How to Manage Android Phone Link Suggestions in Windows 11 The article provides a guide on how to turn on or off the "Show me suggestions for using my Android phone with Windows" feature in Windows 11. This function, enabled by default, offers suggestions on using an Android phone with a Windows PC via the Phone Link app. The tutorial includes step-by-step instructions on how to adjust this feature in the Windows Settings app. 6 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

2 How to Mirror Your Phone Screen with Phone Link in Windows 11 The article provides instructions on how to open or mirror your phone screen on a Windows 11 computer using the Phone Link app. This app allows users to instantly access their Android or iPhone apps from their PC, browse, play, chat, or more using the PC's larger screen and keyboard. The mirroring feature can be helpful for explaining mobile functions to others. 3 min read · ↻ Updated Jul 2026

3 How to Change Phone Link App Theme in Windows 11 The article explains the process of changing the theme and enabling or disabling Dark Mode of the Phone Link app in Windows 11. It also mentions how the Phone Link app allows users to access their Android or iPhone apps from PCs and transfer data. Furthermore, the steps to switch the in-app theme, including turning on dark mode, are provided. 3 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

4 How to Add Phone Link to Windows 11 Widgets Board This article guides on adding or removing the Phone Link app from the Widgets board in Windows 11. The Phone Link app enables access to phone apps from the PC. Adding it to Widgets shows phone notifications and other information on the board, providing quicker phone access. The process involves opening Widgets, adding the Phone Link, and optionally reorganizing the board. Removal involves selecting 'Unpin widget'. 3 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

More on 🪟 Windows 11 Phone Link

1 How to Enable Location Sharing Permission with Phone Link on Android Phone Link location sharing permissions let your Windows PC track and find your Android phone when it goes missing. The Phone Link… 3 min read · ↻ Updated Aug 2026

Common questions

How do I link my Android phone to 🪟 Windows 11?

Launch the Phone Link app on the PC, then grab the Android device to begin the pairing process. On-screen prompts on both screens walk through authentication, which typically requires scanning a QR code or matching numerical keys.

Can I link my iPhone to 🪟 Windows 11?

Apple devices connect to Windows 11 through Phone Link. Installing the 'Link to Windows' companion utility on the iPhone satisfies the mobile requirement before executing the pairing sequence on the desktop.

Where do files downloaded from my phone go on 🪟 Windows 11?

Transferred files from a smartphone default to the 'Downloads' directory on Windows 11. Modifying this target path occurs inside the preferences menu of the desktop utility.

How do I see my phone's notifications on my PC?

Notification routing relies on active permissions within the desktop app and the 'Link to Windows' service running on the mobile hardware. Configured alerts display on the Windows taskbar or inside the application interface.

Can I mirror my phone screen on my 🪟 Windows 11 PC?

Screen mirroring functions natively within Phone Link on Windows 11. Activating this feature projects the mobile interface onto the desktop monitor for direct mouse and keyboard control.