Phone Link requirements and setup

System requirements

The Phone Link experience starts on your Windows PC and the Phone Link. From your PC, you can connect to select Android, Samsung, HONOR, OPPO, and ASUS devices with the Link to Windows app that’s either preinstalled on your gadget or that you can download from the Google Play or Samsung Galaxy Store.

This link in between your Android device and PC offers you instantaneous access to everything you enjoy. Check out and reply to text with ease, view recent images from your Android device, use your preferred mobile apps, make and get calls, and manage your Android gadget’s notifications right on your PC.

The Phone Link needs the following to work:

• A PC running Windows 10 (with the Might 2019 Update or later) or Windows 11.

• An Android gadget runningAndroid 8.0 or later on.Your phone and

• your PC both need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Keep in mind: Select supported Samsung Tablets please go to here for onboarding steps.

We suggest constantly having the most recent version of Windows installed to ensure you get the very best experience with the Phone Link.

Keep in mind: The Phone Link does not currently support several Android profiles or work/school accounts.

How to connect your gadgets beginning with Phone Link

Ensure to have both your PC and Android gadget nearby, turned on, and linked to the very same Wi-Fi network.

If you begin with your PC:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Phone Link, and then choose the Phone Link from the outcomes.

2. You may be asked to sign in to your Microsoft account if you haven’t already checked in with Windows.

3. Install or open the Link to Windows mobile app on your Android gadget. To do this, open a web internet browser on your Android device and then get in the link that’s shown on your PC (www.aka.ms/yourpc).

4. Sign into the mobile app with the exact same Microsoft account that you signed in to on your PC.

5. Once you have actually checked in, return to your PC, choose the I have the Link to Windowsapp all setcheck box, and then select Pair with QR code.

   Note: If you ‘d like to match your gadget without using a QR code, choose Pair manuallyon your PC rather. You’ll be prompted to enter a code on your Android device.

6. A popup window with a QR code will appear on your PC screen.

7. In the mobile app on your Android device, choose Link your phone and PC. When asked Is the QR code on your PC all set?choose Continue.

8. You’ll be asked permission for the app to access your camera. After accepting, an in-app camera will open. Utilize this cam to scan the QR code displayed on your PC.

9. After scanning the QR code, you might be requested extra Android approvals. These permissions enable you to access material from your phone on your PC.

10. Follow the prompts on your Android gadget and then select Done. Then return to your PC to check out the Phone Link.

If you’re adding another Android device:

1. If required, open the Google Play Store, look for Link to Windows, and then download the app

2. You’ll be asked to scan a QR code that’s displayed on your PC. To get to that QR code, open an internet browser on your PC and see www.aka.ms/yourphoneqrc. 

3. On your Android gadget, utilize the in-app electronic camera to scan the QR code displayed on your PC.

4. After scanning the QR code, you might be requested for several consents. These approvals allow you to gain access to material from your phone on your PC.

If you come across concerns installing the app, repair them here.

How to set up Phone Link if it’s not already set up on your PC

Phone Link will be offered by default on most PCs running Windows 10 or Windows 11. If it is not set up, you can install it through the Settings on your PC. After installation, your Phone Link will get routine updates.

To install it on your Windows 10 PC:

• Open Settings on your PC

• Search for Phone Link

• Select Enable or disable Phone Link

• Switch on the toggle for Turn onPhone Link

• A pop-up window will appear, prompting you to click on Install to include Phone Link to your PC.

To install it on your Windows 11 PC:

• Open Settings on your PC

• Search for Phone Link

• Select Enable or disable Phone Link

• Switch on the toggle for Phone Link

• A pop-up window will appear, triggering you to click on Install to add Phone Link to your PC.

Following these actions will ensure that Phone Link is effectively installed on your PC.

Linking your phone during PC setup or pairing in Phone Link beginning with your Microsoft account

Throughout PC setup:

When connecting your phone during PC setup, the Microsoft account you used while establishing your PC will be utilized for signing into your linked phone throughout the pairing process.

The Microsoft account you used while setting up your PC will be transferred to your linked phone throughout the pairing procedure.

Throughout pairing in Phone Link:

When linking in Phone Link the Microsoft account you pick will be used for signing into your linked phone throughout the pairing procedure.

The Microsoft account you select will be transferred to your linked phone throughout the pairing procedure.

Throughout both:

When you finish the pairing of your phone to your Microsoft account, you will be able to access your phone when you are utilizing Microsoft services and products.

Your Microsoft account credentials will be transferred to your phone for seamless access to your contents when you permit to link your phone to your PC.

Use your preferred apps, respond to texts, make calls, view photos, and more in the Phone Link. After authorizing consents to allow access to your phone, you can use your preferred apps, react to texts, make calls, view images, and more on your Windows PC. If you enable syncing contacts from your phone with your Microsoft account, you can delight in smooth access to your phone-synced contact information on other Microsoft apps and services.

Learn more about privacy under Microsoft Privacy Statement.

Keep in mind: You can unlink your devices anytime finishing the steps listed on Unlink a gadget

How to link your mobile phone to your Microsoft account

1. Open Link to Windows app on your mobile phone

2. You will have 2 choices to sign in:

• 1. Check in with your Microsoft account

• You will be prompted to Sign in with Microsoft account

• If you have an existing Microsoft account on your mobile phone then you will be asked to verify your account, then click Continue.

• If you do not have an existing Microsoft account on your mobile phone then you will be asked to sign into your account or create a new one, then click Continue.

• 2. Scan the QR code

• Go to your PC, open Phone Link, start the connecting from the PC, follow the guidelines and the QR code will appear in Phone Link.

• Go back to your mobile device and scan the QR code from the Link to Windows cam.

How to handle your mobile phone on your PC

Now you can link and handle your mobile devices directly from your PC. This link in between your Android gadget and PC provides immediate access to your mobile phone with just a couple of simple actions.

The following are required for this to work:

Ensure to have both your PC and Android gadget nearby, switched on, and linked to Wi-Fi network.

• Open Settings on your PC

• Go to Bluetooth & gadgets

• Scroll down to Mobile phone and click on it to open it

• Click Manage gadgets

• Select Add device

• A popup window with QR code will appear on your PC screen

• Utilize your camera on your mobile phones to scan the QR code showed on your PC.

• After scanning the QR code, you possibly requested for additional Android approval. These permissions allow you to gain access to material from your mobile device on your PC.

  Follow the prompts on your Android device and then select Done. Then return to your PC to engage with your content on the PC.

What gadgets are supported?

How to combine your Android gadget to Phone Link if it is currently linked to our Microsoft Account

Start from your PC:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Phone Link, and then choose Phone Link from the outcomes.

2. Select Android as your device.

3. You will be presented with a list of your linked Android devices under your Microsoft account. If no phones are connected, a QR code will be displayed for you to scan with your Android gadget and proceed with combining your device to Phone Link

4. If you see a list of Android gadgets, select the one you want to pair with Phone Link to access your favorite apps, respond to texts, make calls, view pictures, and more from your PC

5. Grant authorizations on the Link to Windows app on your Android gadget

6. You are all set to use Phone Link.

How to link your choose Samsung tablet to your Microsoft Account

Make sure to have both your PC and tablet gadget nearby, switched on, and linked to a Wi-Fi network.

1. Open Link to Windows app on your tablet

2. You will have 2 alternatives to sign in:

• 1. Sign in with your Microsoft account:

  You will be triggered to Sign in with Microsoft account.

  If you have an existing Microsoft account on your mobile phone then you will be asked to validate your account, then click Continue.

  If you do not have an existing Microsoft account on your mobile device then you will be asked to sign into your account or develop a new one, then click Continue.

• 2. Scan the QR code

  Go to your PC, open Phone Link, begin the connecting from the PC, follow the directions and the QR code will appear in Phone Link.

  Return to your mobile phone and scan the QR code from the Link to Windows electronic camera.

Why do I need to approve consents during linking my gadgets?

Android 13 introduces a runtime notification permission. This authorization is required for data transfer and alert sending in between your gadgets.

Why can’t I approve notifications on Phone Link ?

The Android 13 requirement is to authorize your notifications on your Android device. You can do it during the pairing procedure or go to System Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Notices on your Android devices and toggle on the permissions.

Why do I require to provide alerts consent?

Notification approval enables information transfer and notice sending out between your devices, which lays the structure for cross-device features. By permitting, you can use your Android gadget on your PC with phone picture management, notice management and App usage (where it is supported).

Use your mobile device’s electronic camera on your PC

You can now utilize your linked Android gadget’s video camera as a webcam for PC applications.

What are the requirements for utilizing this feature?

• A PC running Windows 11 or later on

• Android gadgets running Android 9.0 or later on.

• Link to Windows app version 1.24022.0 or later on

How to enable this feature?

On your PC:

• Open Settings

• Browse to Bluetooth & devices

• Scroll down to Mobile phone

• Click on Manage gadgets

• If your Android gadget isn’t linked yet, click Add gadgetto start the connecting process

• Your connected Android device will appear under My devices

• Toggle on Usage as linked camera to allow this feature

How do I use my mobile device as a webcam on PC?

As soon as your gadget is effectively connected to your PC, Usage as connected cam feature is toggled on, it will look like an offered video camera option in Windows Settings and other video camera applications. Merely choose your mobile device from the dropdown menu to gain access to and utilize its cam functionality flawlessly.

How to select which electronic camera is used on my PC

You can easily alter the cam being utilized by and application straight within the app settings you are using.

Why is my phone screen not rotating when I turn it from horizontal to vertical or vertical to horizontal?

Inspect if your gadget’s rotation is locked. If so, unlock it to enable screen rotation.

Your screen will switch between landscape and portrait modes when you rotate your mobile phone.

How to setup Immediate Hotspot?

Now you can link to your phone’s mobile hotspot by adding it to your PC’s Wi-Fi menu. Immediate Hotspot provides you with a convenient method of consistently linking to your phone’s hotspot without having to offer a password every time.

Note: Mobile information charges may apply.

What are the requirements for utilizing this function?

PC requirements:

• A PC running Windows 11, variation 22H2 construct 22621 or later on

• A PC with Bluetooth support and Wi-Fi adapter

• Phone Link version 1.22092.211.0 or later on

Phone requirements:

• Samsung mobile device with OneUI 4.1.1 or later

• SIM card with hotspot capable plan

• Link to Windows app version 1.22093.2.0 or later on

How to enable this function?

From your PC:

• Open Phone Link

• Go to Settings > Features > Instantaneous Hotspot

• Select Setup Immediate Hotspot

• Follow the instructions provided on the pop-up > choose Send out Notification > go to your Android gadget

• Select the notice

• Select Enable

From your Android gadget:

• Open Link to Windows application on your Android gadget

• Toggle on Immediate Hotspot

• Go to your PC’s Wi-Fi menu and connect to your cellphone’s hotspot

Why don’t I see the function offered on the Phone Link ?

Guarantee that you have the latest updates of Phone Link and Link to Windows applications. Make sure your PC is updated to Windows 11, build 22621 or later on.

Pointer: The Phone Link is developed to be experienced as part of your PC’s Windows taskbar. For users who have actually connected an Android device to the PC, the app might get pinned to the taskbar of your PC. If you prefer to unpin the app, right-click its icon, and then choose Unpin from taskbar.

System requirements

Microsoft Phone Link makes syncing your Windows PC to your iPhone ® simple. To begin, openPhone Link on your Windows 10 or 11 PC. Follow the instructions for pairing and authorizations.

You can also download Link to Windows from the App Store on your iPhone ®, however it is not needed.

This link between your iPhone ® and PC provides you instantaneous access to lots of things you like. Check out and reply to text messages with ease, make and receive calls, and manage your iPhone ® alerts right on your PC.

Requirements

The Phone Link needs the following to work:

If you choose to download Link to Windows, make sure you have the latest app version 1.23031.2 or later on set up for an ideal pairing experience.

To make sure the very best possible experience with Phone Link, we suggest having the current version of Windows10 or 11. See if updates are available here.

Notes:

• Phone Link does not support work/school accounts.

• When messages approval is given, delicate information, like 2-Factor Authentication SMS, can be noticeable in Phone Link

How to link your devices

First things initially: make certain your PC and iPhone® are nearby and both have Bluetooth switched on.

If you start from your PC:

1. Discover the Phone Link in your Start menu. (You can also search for this)

2. Open the app. Under Choose your phone, select iPhone ®. If this is greyed out, your PC’s Bluetooth might be turned off or is not yet available yet.

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

4. Scan the QR code provided on your PC with your iPhone®‘s default electronic camera. This will start Bluetooth pairing.

5. Make sure you give consents on your iPhone® to sync your messages, notifications, and contacts to your PC. See below on how to do this.

After successfully matching your device by means of Bluetooth, you will need to enable these three settings on your iPhone® in order to access all offered features. Some features need multiple consents in order to be completely functional.

Sync Contacts settings will give access to your Messages, Contacts, and Call History.

How to connect your gadgets

Follow these actions to unpair your iPhone® from your Windows PC.

On your phone

Under Bluetooth, pick the Details icon beside your PC’s name in the “My Gadgets” list, and select Forget this Gadget.

On your PC

Open Phone Link and open Settings. Under the My Gadgets tab, choose the device you want to unlink with the Get rid of alternative.

Your gadgets need to now be unpaired.

How to allow functions in app

You can choose which features you desire enabled in Phone Link.

To do this, go to Settings and pick the Features tab. It exists you’ll find toggles for which features you grant approvals to.

Getting rid of consents will also disable the function in the app.

How do I use and scan the QR code?

Make certain your PC and iPhone ® neighbor and have Bluetooth switched on both.

An unique QR code is created whenever you wish to pair a new iPhone® device to your PC. Just utilize the camera on your iPhone ® to scan it.

To pair extra gadgets, you can discover the Link new device option under Settings > My Gadgets > Link brand-new gadget

I scanned the QR code however the pairing stopped working, what can I do?

First, make sure Bluetooth is switched on both your Windows PC and your iPhone®. Likewise, make certain your PC and iPhone® are “visible” to each other. If pairing is still incomplete, you may need to reset Phone Link on your PC and Link to Windows to get them in a fresh state.

1. Remove your iPhone® from your PC’s Bluetooth settings by going to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Eliminate Gadget.

2. Remove your PC from your iPhone ® Bluetooth settings by going to your Settings. Under Bluetooth, pick the Information icon next to your PC’s name in the My Devices list, and select Forget this device.

3. On both your PC and iPhone®, turn Bluetooth off. Wait 10 seconds, then turn Bluetooth back on (on both gadgets.)

4. Select Attempt pairing again

If issues continue:

Open the Phone Link and open Settings. Under Feedback & Community is a kind you can use to describe your concerns. Offer as much information as you can.

You can also find this by searching “Feedback Center” in your taskbar search field.

How to match your iPhone once again to Phone Link after it is gotten rid of from Windows Bluetooth Settings

If you remove your iPhone from Bluetooth settings in Windows, Phone Link will no longer sync your calls, messages, and notices. To resume using your iPhone with Phone Link follow these steps before re-pairing:

1. Eliminate your PC from your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings: go to Settings on your iPhone > Bluetooth > choose your PC name > click on the information icon > choose Forget This Device.

2. After eliminating your PC from your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings, visit Phone Link to initiate the pairing process again.

System requirements and setup actions for the Phone Link app.