Phone Link: How to Sync Windows with Your Android

Phone Link (formerly known as "Your Phone") is Microsoft's application that lets you sync calls, messages and notifications from your Android mobile to your Windows PC screen. Here is how it works.

One of the most popular features of Apple products is the way all your Apple devices can sync their information with each other. You take a photo with your phone and can instantly share it with your computer for professional editing. When you get a call, you can decide whether to take it on your iPhone or your MacBook — everything is connected.

To balance things out, a Windows 10 update in October 2018 introduced Microsoft's Your Phone app. This allows you to view messages, calls and other notifications that arrive on your phone directly from your computer.

Since its launch, this app has been steadily improved. If you use Android and Windows, you should definitely install it to see how much you can gain in productivity. With the launch of Windows 11, the app was renamed "Phone Link" and received an improved design and new features.

How do I set up Phone Link?

First, install the app by downloading it from the Microsoft Store. The mobile companion app is called "Link to Windows". To use all the features, you need at least the following:

• A computer with Windows 10 (May 2019 update or later) or Windows 11.
• An Android device with Android 7.0 (Nougat) or higher.
• Both the phone and the PC must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Once everything is installed, start the set-up process to pair your phone — do not worry, it is straightforward. Microsoft is even working on implementing a QR code to make pairing easier, similar to WhatsApp Desktop. If you still have questions about pairing, you can find detailed instructions on Microsoft's support website.

What features does Phone Link offer?

The Phone Link interface focuses on notifications and offers tab-based navigation so you never miss anything. Here is what you can do:

View all your mobile photos on your PC instantly

No more cables or Bluetooth needed for image transfers. If you give the app on your Android device the appropriate permissions, images are instantly available in Phone Link on your computer. From there you can copy, edit and share them however you like.

Making and receiving calls

With Bluetooth activated and the app configured correctly, you pair the devices with a PIN and gain access to your Android call list and contacts. From that point on, you can make and receive calls from your computer as if you were using your mobile phone.

Send and receive SMS

When a message arrives, you see the notification in Phone Link and can reply from there, attaching multimedia content and emojis. You also have access to your phone's entire SMS history.

Android notifications on your computer

You can receive Android notifications on your PC and choose which apps send them. So if you are focused on your computer but waiting for an important message, you will know right away.

Shared browsing with Microsoft Edge

If you use Microsoft Edge as your browser, you can share any link, content or web page between your desktop and your Android phone, and vice versa.

And more...

If you also install other applications such as Microsoft Launcher or Microsoft To Do, you unlock additional features that complement Phone Link.

For example, you can use Launcher to open a file on your mobile phone and then continue working with it on your desktop via the "Continue on PC" feature. You can also access sticky notes across devices. With Microsoft To Do, you can create and sync a to-do list between your computer and phone to stay on top of everything.

Do you have any questions?

Remember, you can buy any Windows licence directly from our website. If you have any questions, our support team is happy to help whenever you need it.

Write us a comment or give us a call.

Best regards,
The Licendi Team