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, ASUS, and vivo devices with the Link to Windows app that's either preinstalled on your device or that you can download from the Google Play or Samsung Galaxy Store.

This link between your Android device and PC gives you instant access to everything you love. Read and reply to text messages with ease, view recent photos from your Android device, use your favorite mobile apps, make and receive calls, and manage your Android device’s notifications right on your PC.

The Phone Link  requires the following to work:

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

• An Android device running Android 8.0 or later. For the best compatibility and performance, we highly recommend using Android 10 or newer.

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

We recommend always having the latest version of Windows installed to make sure you get the best experience with the Phone Link . 

How to link your devices starting from Phone Link 

Make sure to have both your PC and Android device nearby, turned on, and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. 

How to install Phone Link if it's not already installed on your PC

Phone Link will be available by default on most PCs running Windows 10 or Windows 11. If it is not installed, you can install it through the Settings on your PC. After installation, your Phone Link will receive regular updates.

To install it on your Windows 10 PC:

• Open Settings on your PC

• Search for Phone Link

• Select Enable or disable Phone Link

• Turn on the toggle for Turn on Phone Link

• A pop-up window will appear, prompting you to click on Install to add 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

• Turn on the toggle for  Phone Link

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

Following these steps will ensure that Phone Link is successfully installed on your PC.

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

During PC setup:

When linking your phone during PC setup, the Microsoft account you used while setting up your PC will be used for signing into your linked phone during the pairing process.

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

During pairing in Phone Link :

When linking in Phone Link  the Microsoft account you select will be used for signing into your linked phone during the pairing process. 

The Microsoft account you select will be transferred to your linked phone during the pairing process. 

During both:

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

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

Use your favorite apps, respond to texts, make calls, view photos, and more in the Phone Link  . After approving permissions to allow access to your phone, you can use your favorite apps, respond to texts, make calls, view photos, and more on your Windows PC. If you allow syncing contacts from your phone with your Microsoft account, you can enjoy seamless access to your phone-synced contact data on other Microsoft apps and services.

Learn more about privacy under Microsoft Privacy Statement.

How to link your mobile device to your Microsoft account

1. Open Link to Windows app on your mobile device

2. You will have 2 options to sign in:

• 1. Sign 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 device then you will be asked to confirm your account, then click Continue.

• If you don't have an existing Microsoft account on your mobile device 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 linking from the PC, follow the instructions 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 camera.

How to manage your mobile device on your PC

Now you can link and manage your mobile devices directly from your PC. This link between your Android device and PC provides instant access to your mobile device with just a few simple steps.

The following are required for this to work:

• A PC running Windows 11

• An Android devices running Android 8.0 or later. For the best compatibility and performance, we highly recommend using Android 10 or newer.

• Your Phone and your PC both need to be connected to Wi-Fi network.

Make sure to have both your PC and Android device nearby, turned on, and connected to Wi-Fi network. 

• Open Settings on your PC

• Go to Bluetooth & devices

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

• Click on Manage devices

• Select Add device

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

• Use your camera on your mobile devices to scan the QR code displayed on your PC.

• After scanning the QR code, you maybe asked for additional Android permission. These permissions allow you to access content 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. 

How to pair your Android device to Phone Link if it is already linked to our Microsoft Account

Start from your PC:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Phone Link, and then select Phone Link from the results.

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 linked, a QR code will be displayed for you to scan with your Android device and proceed with pairing your device to Phone Link

4. If you see a list of Android devices, choose the one you wish to pair with Phone Link to access your favorite apps, respond to texts, make calls, view photos, and more from your PC

5. Grant permissions on the Link to Windows app on your Android device

6. You are all set to use Phone Link.

How to link your select Samsung tablet to your Microsoft Account 

Make sure to have both your PC and tablet device nearby, turned on, and connected to a Wi-Fi network.  

1. Open Link to Windows app on your tablet

2. You will have 2 options to sign in:

• 1. Sign 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 device then you will be asked to confirm your account, then click Continue. 

  If you don't have an existing Microsoft account on your mobile device 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 linking from the PC, follow the instructions 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 camera. 

Why do I need to grant permissions during linking my devices?

Android 13 introduces a runtime notification permission. This permission is needed for data transfer and notification sending between your devices.

Why can't I approve notifications on Phone Link ?

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

Why do I need to give notifications permission?

Notification permission allows data transfer and notification sending between your devices, which lays the foundation for cross-device features. By giving permissions, you can use your Android device on your PC with phone photo management, notification management and App usage (where it is supported).

Use your mobile device's camera on your PC

You can now use your linked Android device's camera as a webcam for PC applications. 

How to setup Instant Hotspot?

Now you can connect to your phone’s mobile hotspot by adding it to your PC’s Wi-Fi menu. Instant Hotspot provides you with a convenient way of repeatedly connecting to your phone’s hotspot without having to provide a password every time.