How-toPhones and Tablets
How to link your phone to a Windows PC
Set up Phone Link on Windows 11 to see your phone's notifications and messages on your PC. Steps for Android with a QR code and for iPhone over Bluetooth.
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Android
- iPhone / iPad
Phone Link is a Microsoft app that connects your phone to your Windows PC, so you can read notifications and text messages on the bigger screen. Set it up on Windows 11 with an Android phone or an iPhone.
What you need
Requirements change as Microsoft updates the app, so the exact minimum versions are on Microsoft's Phone Link support page (support.microsoft.com/phone-link). In general you need the following.
| Item | Android phone | iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| On the PC | The Phone Link app, signed in with a Microsoft account | The Phone Link app, and a PC with Bluetooth (Microsoft says Bluetooth Low Energy support) |
| On the phone | The Link to Windows app from Google Play | No app is required. The Link to Windows app from the App Store is optional |
| How they connect | Over the internet. Microsoft lists the PC and phone being on the same Wi-Fi network for setup | Over Bluetooth, so the two devices must be near each other |
| Not supported | Work or school accounts, and multiple Android profiles | Work or school accounts |
Setup takes about 10 minutes. Keep both devices close and unlocked.
iPhone does less than Android
Phone Link on an iPhone offers fewer features than on Android, and what it can do depends on the sharing choices you turn on. Check Microsoft's page for the current list.
Text version of this diagram
- Your phone connects to Microsoft account (Android: signed in).
- Microsoft account connects to Windows PC (Same account).
Set up an Android phone
- On the PC, select the search box on the taskbar, type Phone Link, and open the app.
- Choose Android when asked what type of phone you have, and sign in with your Microsoft account if asked.
- On the phone, open the Link to Windows app. If it is missing, install it from the Google Play Store.
- If the app asks you to sign in, use the same Microsoft account as on the PC.
- On the PC, tick I have the Link to Windows app ready, then select Pair with QR code. A QR code (a square barcode) appears on the screen.
- On the phone, tap Link your phone and PC, then Continue. Allow camera access and point the camera at the code on the PC.
- Allow the permissions the phone asks for, then finish the screens that follow.
The PC then shows your phone's notifications and messages. If you do not want to use a QR code, choose Pair manually on the PC and type the code it shows into the phone.
Set up an iPhone
- Turn Bluetooth on for the PC and the iPhone, and keep them close. If you need help, see how to pair Bluetooth on Android and iPhone.
- Open Phone Link on the PC. Under Pick your phone, select iPhone.
- Scan the QR code on the PC with the iPhone's normal Camera app. This starts Bluetooth pairing.
- Accept the pairing request on both devices.
- On the iPhone, turn on the sharing choices the app lists. These are Share System notifications, Show Notification and Sync Contacts. Turn on only what you want to see on the PC.
Messages can show security codes
If you allow message access, text messages that contain one-time sign-in codes appear on the PC too. Use Phone Link only on a PC that only you use, and lock the PC when you leave it. See strong passwords and two-step verification.
Check that it worked
- Send yourself a text message and look for it in Phone Link on the PC.
- On Windows 11, you can also open to see and manage linked phones.
- On Android, recent photos and screenshots can appear in Phone Link. It does not copy videos, and it is not a full backup. For everything else, see how to transfer photos from your phone to a computer.
If something goes wrong
- The QR code will not scan: hold the phone steady, clean the camera lens, and make sure the code is large and bright on the screen. Or use Pair manually.
- Pairing keeps failing on iPhone: remove the iPhone from the PC's Bluetooth list and choose Forget This Device for the PC on the iPhone. Turn Bluetooth off on both, wait 10 seconds, turn it on, and try pairing again. Microsoft gives this advice on its page. For more help, see Bluetooth won't pair or connect.
- The phone stops syncing: for Android, check that the phone and PC are on the same Wi-Fi network and both are online and still signed in to the same Microsoft account. On Android, check that the Link to Windows app is not being limited by battery saving. The setting name varies by maker.
- Wi-Fi trouble: see phone Wi-Fi problems.
Unlinking
To stop the link, remove the phone in Phone Link's settings on the PC, and remove the PC from the phone's Link to Windows app or Bluetooth list. Do this before you sell, give away or repair either device.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phone Link free?
Yes, the apps themselves are free. Your normal mobile and internet charges still apply.
Should I allow access to my messages?
Only if you want to read and reply to texts on the PC. If you are unsure, do not grant message access. Read the permissions the app lists and Microsoft's privacy information first.
Can I use Phone Link on Windows 10?
Microsoft's page lists Windows 10 versions that work. Windows 10 no longer gets free security updates, so moving to Windows 11 is safer where your PC can run it.
Do I need Phone Link to copy files?
No. A USB cable works without it. See how to connect a phone to a computer with USB.
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Official resources used
Pages consulted while preparing this guide. Check them for the latest details.
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