Windows 11 Phone Link: Set Up Android or iPhone on Your PC

Phone Link lets you read and reply to texts, take calls and see phone notifications without picking up the phone, and on Android also browse recent photos and more. It comes with Windows 11 and pairs with both Android phones and iPhones, though Android gets more features. This guide covers setting up Windows 11 Phone Link for each kind of phone, what to expect from each, privacy points worth knowing and how to fix a connection that keeps dropping.

The steps apply to Windows 11 version 24H2, 25H2 and 26H2. Phone Link is updated through the Microsoft Store, so screens change more often than Windows itself.

Before you start

Microsoft’s requirements page lists the details, and they change over time, so check it before setting up. In summary:

• A personal Microsoft account. Microsoft says Phone Link does not support work or school accounts.
• A supported phone. Android phones use Microsoft’s Link to Windows app (preinstalled on some phones). iPhones pair over Bluetooth and need a recent iOS version listed on Microsoft’s page.
• For iPhone, Bluetooth on the PC, including Bluetooth Low Energy support.
• For Android, a network connection; Microsoft’s page notes both devices should be on Wi-Fi for the initial setup.

Set up with an Android phone

1. On the PC, open Phone Link from Start and select Android.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account if asked.
3. A QR code appears. On the phone, open Link to Windows (or install it from Google Play) and scan the code.
4. Allow the permissions the phone asks for: notifications, messages, phone, contacts, photos.
5. Back on the PC, finish the setup and choose which features to show.

On some phones, the setup can also be started from the phone’s own settings, where Link to Windows is built in.

Set up with an iPhone

1. On the PC, open Phone Link and select iPhone.
2. Scan the QR code with the iPhone’s camera, then follow the link. This starts Bluetooth pairing.
3. Confirm the pairing code on both devices.
4. On the iPhone, in Bluetooth settings for the PC, allow Show notifications, Sync contacts and Share system notifications when prompted.

Messages on iPhone work differently from Android: you can send and receive texts and iMessages through the PC, but group messages, media and the full message history may not be available. Photos are not available for iPhone in Phone Link.

What you can do

Feature	Android	iPhone
Notifications	Yes	Yes
Texts	Yes, with history	Send and receive; limited history
Calls	Yes (via Bluetooth)	Yes (via Bluetooth)
Recent photos	Yes	No
Phone apps on PC	Supported phones only	No

Available features depend on the phone model and region. Phone Link’s own settings let you switch features off if you prefer.

Privacy points

• Your phone’s notifications and messages appear on the PC. On a shared PC, anyone signed in to your account can see them.
• Lock the PC when you step away; see Dynamic lock, which can lock the PC automatically when your paired phone moves away.
• You can remove a phone from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices, or from your Microsoft account’s device list.

Phone Link not connecting

Microsoft’s troubleshooting page suggests, in summary:

1. Check the basics: both devices on, Bluetooth on (iPhone and calls), same Wi-Fi network (Android), airplane mode off.
2. Battery optimisation: on Android, allow Link to Windows to run in the background and exclude it from battery optimisation.
3. Permissions: re-check notification and message permissions on the phone.
4. Sign-in: the same Microsoft account on both sides (Android).
5. Update: install updates for Phone Link (Microsoft Store), Link to Windows and Windows.
6. Re-pair: remove the phone and set it up again.

If calls fail, the issue is usually Bluetooth; see Windows 11 Bluetooth settings and Bluetooth not working.

Getting the most from Phone Link

Some habits make Phone Link more useful day to day:

• Choose which notifications reach the PC. In Phone Link’s settings, turn off notifications from noisy apps so only messages and calls come through.
• Use it for two-factor codes carefully. Seeing a sign-in code on the PC is convenient, but it also means anyone using your unlocked PC sees it. Lock the PC when you step away.
• Calls need Bluetooth audio. If callers cannot hear you, check that the PC’s microphone is selected in the call window and see Windows 11 sound settings.
• Photos (Android): Phone Link shows recent photos for quick access. For a full backup of the phone’s camera roll, use a cloud backup or copy over USB.
• Start menu integration: on supported setups, your phone can appear in the Start menu with battery, messages and recent activity. Microsoft documents this as a mobile device feature linked to Phone Link.

If you change phones, remove the old one in Phone Link’s settings and set up the new one, so messages and notifications do not go to a device you no longer use.

Alternatives for files

To move photos and documents in bulk, Phone Link is not the best tool. Use OneDrive, a USB cable, or for PC-to-PC transfers Nearby sharing. If you only need internet for the phone through the PC, see mobile hotspot. Our Windows 11 features hub covers other built-in apps.