Phone Link requirements and settings (2023)

system requirements

Phone Link works on a Windows PC and the Phone Link app. From your computer, you can connect to selected Android, Samsung and HONOR devices using the Link to Windows app pre-installed on your device or downloaded from Google Play or the Samsung Galaxy Store.

This connection between your Android device and your computer gives you instant access to everything you love. Easily read and reply to text messages, view recent photos from your Android device, use your favorite mobile apps, make and receive calls, and manage notifications from your Android device right on your computer.

The Phone Link app requires the following to work:

• A PC with Windows 10 (May 2019 Update or later) or Windows 11.

• Device with Android version 7.0 (Nougat) or higher.

• Your phone and computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

We recommend that you always install the latest version of Windows to ensure the best Phone Link experience.

Use:Currently, the Phone Link app does not support multiple Android profiles or work or school accounts.

Link devices

Make sure your computer and Android device are nearby, turned on, and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Pair your phone while you set up your computer

When pairing a phone during PC setup, the Microsoft account used during PC setup will be used to sign in to the paired phone during the pairing process.

After you link your phone to your Microsoft account, you can access your phone when you use Microsoft products and services.

The Microsoft account you used to set up your computer will be transferred to your paired phone during the pairing process.

Your Microsoft account credentials are transferred to your phone for seamless content access when you allow your phone to connect to your PC.

Access your favorite apps, receive texts, make calls, view photos and more with Phone Link. After giving permission to access your phone, you can use your favorite apps, reply to text messages, make calls, view photos, and more on your Windows PC. Allowing contacts from your phone to sync with your Microsoft account gives you seamless access to the contacts synced to your phone in other Microsoft apps and services.

Read more about privacy atMicrosoft Privacy Statement.

Use:You can unpair your devices at any time by following the steps listed inUnplug the device

Why do I need to grant permission when pairing devices?

Android 13 introduces runtime notification permissions. This permission is required to transfer data and send notifications between your devices.

Why can't I approve notifications in the Phone Link app?

The Android 13 requirement is to approve notifications on your Android device. You can do this during the pairing process or go toSystem settings>Apps>Turn on Windows>the messageon Android devices and enable permissions.

Why do I need to consent to notifications?

Notifications permission allows you to transfer data and send notifications between devices, laying the foundation for cross-device functionality. By giving permission, you can use your Android device on your computer to manage photos from your phone, manage notifications, and use apps (if supported).

How do I set up Instant Hotspot?

You can now connect to your phone's mobile hotspot by adding it to your computer's Wi-Fi menu. Instant Hotspot provides a convenient way to connect to your phone's hotspot multiple times without having to enter your password each time.

Use:Mobile data charges may apply.

system requirements

MicrosoftPhone Link makes it easy to sync your Windows PC with your iPhone®. To get started, open Phone Link on your Windows 11 PC. Follow the pairing and permissions instructions.

You can also download Link for Windows fromapp Storeon iPhone®, but it is not required.

This connection between your iPhone® and your computer gives you instant access to many of the things you love. Easily read and reply to text messages, make and receive calls, and manage iPhone® notifications right from your computer.

Link devices

First: Make sure your computer and iPhone®are nearby and both have Bluetooth enabled.

If you are starting from a computer:

1. Find the Phone Link app in the Start menu. (You can also search for it)

2. Open the app. Shortselect your phone, to electiPhone®. If it is grayed out, your computer's Bluetooth function may be disabled or not yet available.

3. Follow the step-by-step pairing instructions.

4. Scan the QR code displayed on your computer with your iPhone®Standard camera. This will initiate the Bluetooth pairing.

5. Make sure you grant permission on your iPhone®sync messages, notifications and contacts with your computer. See below how to do that.

After successfully pairing your device via Bluetooth, you need to enable these three settings on your iPhone.®to access all available features. Some features require multiple permissions to be fully functional.

• System sharing notification settings give you access to yoursthe messagejThe news

• Viewing your notification settings will give you access to yoursThe news

Contact sync settings give you access to yoursMessages, contacts and call history.

Link devices

Follow the steps below to unpair your iPhone®from a Windows computer.

on your phone

Select an option under Bluetoothinformationnext to your computer's name in the "My Devices" list and selectForget this device.

on your computer

Open Phone Link in openinstitutions. Fulanimy devicesselect the device you want to unpair withTo eliminatechoice.

Your devices should now be unpaired.

Enable features in the app

You can select the features you want to enable in the Phone Link app.

Go to for thisinstitutionsand choosefeatureeyelash. There you will find switches for the features you grant permissions for.

Removing permissions also disables this feature in the app.

How to use and scan the QR code?

Make sure your computer and iPhone® are close to each other and that Bluetooth is turned on on both devices.

Every time you want to pair a new iPhone, a unique QR code is generated®device to the computer. Just use your iPhone® camera to scan it.

To pair additional devices, you can findPair a new devicelow optionSettings > My devices > Pair new device

I scanned the QR code, but the pairing failed, what can I do?

First, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both your Windows PC and iPhone®. Also make sure your computer and iPhone®they are "discoverable" from each other.

If the link is still incomplete, you may need to reset the Phone Link app on your PC and the Link to Windows app to return them to their new state.

1. Remove your iPhone®from your computer's Bluetooth settings by going toSettings > Bluetooth & devices > Remove device.

2. Remove your computer from the iPhone® Bluetooth settings by going toInstitutions. Bluetooth layer, select the About icon next to the computer name on the pagemy deviceslist and selectForget this device.

3. Both on the computer and on the iPhone®, turn off Bluetooth. Wait 10 seconds and turn Bluetooth back on (on both devices).

4. To electtry pairing again

If problems persist:

Open the Phone Link app and openInstitutions.In the Feedback & Community section, you will find a form that you can use to describe your issues. Provide as much detail as possible.

You can also find this by searching for "Feedback Hub" in the taskbar search box.