Windows 11 Phone Link: How to Connect Your Android or iPhone to Your PC

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If you use a Windows 11 PC and constantly switch between your computer and smartphone, there is a useful feature you may already have installed: Microsoft Phone Link.

Phone Link allows you to connect your smartphone to your Windows PC and access many phone functions without constantly picking up your phone. Depending on your phone model and operating system, you can view notifications, read and reply to text messages, make and receive calls, access recent photos, use supported Android apps, and more.

The best part? You usually do not need a USB cable.

What Is Windows 11 Phone Link?

Phone Link is Microsoft's built-in Windows app designed to connect your smartphone with your Windows PC. On Android phones, the companion app is called Link to Windows.

Once your devices are connected, your PC can communicate with your phone over a wireless connection. This means you can keep working on your computer while handling many phone tasks from the same screen.

For Android users, Phone Link can provide access to messages, notifications, photos, calls, and supported mobile apps. Some compatible Android phones can also provide additional features such as app mirroring and cross-device copy and paste.

Microsoft currently supports Windows 11 and Android phones running Android 10 or later for the main Phone Link experience. Your PC and Android phone should normally be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for the best experience.

Phone Link also supports iPhones. For iPhone users, Microsoft lists Windows 11, Bluetooth Low Energy support on the PC, and iOS 16 or later as requirements. However, iPhone functionality is more limited than Android because of Apple's platform restrictions.

How to Connect an Android Phone to Windows 11

Connecting your Android phone is relatively simple.


Step 1: Open Phone Link

On your Windows 11 PC, click Start and search for Phone Link.

Open the application and choose Android when asked what type of phone you want to connect.

If Phone Link is not installed, Microsoft provides installation options through Windows Settings.

Step 2: Install Link to Windows

On your Android phone, open the Google Play Store and search for Link to Windows.

Some Samsung and other supported Android phones already have Link to Windows built in.

Make sure you sign in using the same Microsoft account on both the PC and phone.


Step 3: Pair Your Phone

Phone Link will display a QR code on your computer.

On your Android phone, open Link to Windows and select the option to connect your phone and PC. Use the phone's camera inside the app to scan the QR code.

Microsoft also provides a manual pairing option if you do not want to use the QR code.

Step 4: Allow Permissions

Your phone will ask for several permissions.

Depending on the features you want to use, Phone Link may request access to notifications, contacts, messages, photos, calls and other information.

Do not automatically approve everything. Review each permission and enable only the features you actually want.

For example, if you want to receive phone notifications on your PC, notification permission must be enabled.

Step 5: Finish the Connection

Once pairing is complete, return to Phone Link on your Windows 11 PC.

You should see your phone listed as connected.

You can now start using the available Phone Link features.


What Can You Do With Phone Link?

1. Read and Reply to Text Messages

One of the most convenient features is messaging.

Instead of picking up your phone every time a text arrives, you can read and reply from your Windows PC using your keyboard.

This is especially useful when you are working, studying, or typing long messages.

2. Make and Receive Phone Calls

With the appropriate Bluetooth connection and permissions, you can make and answer phone calls from your Windows PC.

Your computer essentially becomes an extension of your smartphone.

This can be particularly convenient when your phone is charging across the room.

3. See Phone Notifications

Phone Link can display notifications from your smartphone directly on your Windows desktop.

You can see notifications from supported apps without constantly checking your phone.

You can also control which notifications are synchronized through Phone Link settings.

4. Access Recent Photos

Phone Link can display recent photos from your phone on your Windows computer.

This is extremely useful when you take a picture with your smartphone and immediately need it for a document, email, social media post, or website.

5. Use Android Apps on Your PC

On supported Android devices, Phone Link can allow you to interact with Android apps directly from your PC.

You can use your computer's mouse, keyboard, touchpad, pen, or touchscreen to interact with supported mobile apps.

However, not every Android phone supports every Phone Link feature. App compatibility depends on the phone manufacturer, Android version, and Microsoft-supported features.

What About iPhone?

Windows 11 Phone Link can also connect to an iPhone.

The basic setup uses Bluetooth. Microsoft currently lists iOS 16 or later and a Windows PC with Bluetooth Low Energy support.

After pairing, supported features include messages, calls, notifications and contacts. However, the experience is not as extensive as Android Phone Link.

For example, Android users on compatible devices can access additional features such as supported mobile apps, while iPhone users have fewer integration options.

If you own an iPhone but use a Windows PC, Phone Link is still worth trying because it can reduce the need to constantly switch between your phone and computer.


Advantages of Windows 11 Phone Link

1. It saves time.
You do not need to pick up your phone every time you receive a message or notification.

2. It is convenient.
Messages, calls and photos can be handled from one screen.

3. Less cable clutter.
The connection is primarily wireless, so you do not need to keep your phone physically connected to the PC.

4. Great for productivity.
If you spend many hours working on a Windows computer, Phone Link can reduce interruptions.

5. It is easy to start.
Most Windows 11 PCs already include Phone Link, and supported Android phones may already include Link to Windows.

Disadvantages and Limitations

Phone Link is useful, but it is not perfect.

First, features vary by phone. Some Samsung, HONOR, OPPO, ASUS, vivo, Xiaomi and other supported devices offer more capabilities than other Android phones.

Second, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth matter. A poor wireless connection can cause delays, connection problems or unreliable synchronization.

Third, permissions are important. If you disable notification, contact, message or other permissions, related Phone Link features may stop working.

Fourth, privacy should be considered. Your messages, notifications and other phone information can appear on your computer. If you share your PC with other people, carefully configure which features and notifications are displayed.

Microsoft allows users to control Phone Link features through Settings > Features, where you can turn notifications, messages, calls, photos and other synchronization options on or off.


My Recommended Phone Link Setup

For most users, I recommend starting with only the features you actually need.

If you mainly want convenience, enable:

  • Notifications
  • Messages
  • Calls
  • Photos

If you use a compatible Android phone and need more advanced integration, try the Apps feature afterward.

Also, keep both Windows 11 and the Link to Windows app updated. Microsoft recommends using the latest versions for the best experience.

Final Thoughts

Windows 11 Phone Link is one of those Windows features that many people overlook.

It will not completely replace your smartphone, but it can make your daily computer experience much easier.

If you spend most of your day at a Windows 11 computer, being able to respond to messages, check notifications, answer calls and access recent photos without constantly reaching for your phone can save a surprising amount of time.

Android users generally get the most features, especially when using a compatible phone. iPhone users can also benefit from Phone Link, although Apple's ecosystem restrictions mean the integration is more limited.

If you already have Windows 11 and a compatible smartphone, there is little reason not to try it.

Open Phone Link, scan the QR code, grant the permissions you need, and turn your Windows PC into a more connected workspace.

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