Phone Link app Archives

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Windows 11 tests Android screen mirroring from the Start menu

Microsoft has introduced a feature in Windows 11 that allows users to mirror their Android phone screens directly from the Start menu. Users can now access this functionality by clicking on their device's icon in the Start menu's phone companion panel, eliminating the need to open the Phone Link app. To use this feature, users must first link their Android phone to their Windows 11 computer using the Phone Link app. This connection also enables file transfers and the use of the phone as a webcam. Currently, the feature is available only to testers in the Windows 11 Insider Program and is compatible with a limited number of Android devices, with plans for a broader rollout by June.

Winsage

May 18, 2025

It just got way easier to control your Android phone from your Windows PC

Microsoft is adding a Phone Link panel to the start menu of Windows 11 to improve the user experience for managing Android devices. The panel provides an overview of the Android device's status, including connection status and battery level, and features direct access buttons for Messages, Calls, and Photos. It includes a 'Recent' section for the latest phone calls, text messages, and images, while notifications can be received as banners. The Phone Link app can also stream Android apps to Windows 11 PCs, with file transfer capabilities through a 'send files' button. This feature is being rolled out to all Windows 11 users after being available to Beta and Dev channel users for several months.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

A New Start Menu and More Major Upgrades Are Coming to Windows 11

Microsoft announced significant upgrades for Windows 11, including enhancements to the Start menu, Copilot AI, and utilities like Paint and the Snipping Tool. The Start menu will become larger, more customizable, and user-friendly, allowing users to view all apps at once, hide recommended shortcuts, and increase the size of the pinned apps panel. A "phone companion" feature will be integrated into the Start menu. These changes are expected to roll out to the Windows Insider channel within the next month. File Explorer will introduce AI actions for document summarization and image editing directly from the right-click menu. Notepad will gain AI text generation and summarization features, along with lightweight formatting options like bold, italic, lists, and Markdown support. Copilot Vision will allow users to interact with AI regarding on-screen content. Some features will debut on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon chipsets, including an AI agent in Settings to assist users with adjustments and the Click to Do feature for scheduling meetings and launching Immersive Reader mode. The Photos app will introduce a relight feature for dynamic lighting control. Paint will gain capabilities for creating custom stickers from text prompts and an AI-powered object select tool. The Snipping Tool will receive enhancements like intelligent screenshot cropping, text extraction, and a color picker. The Narrator on Copilot+ PCs will be upgraded to provide rich descriptions of images.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Windows 11’s rumored Start menu redesign could mean it eats up a huge chunk of desktop space for some users – although it can be tamed

Microsoft is considering a significant redesign of the Start menu in Windows 11, which includes integrating the Phone Link side panel for enhanced interaction with Android smartphones. The Phone Link app allows users to connect their Android devices for functionalities like text messaging and notifications directly from the desktop. The proposed redesign could expand the Start menu to occupy up to 75% of the desktop, merging two sections into one interface. Users will have the option to toggle the visibility of the Phone Link panel, allowing for a customizable desktop experience. The redesign is still in early testing phases, and the final implementation may vary from current observations.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

Intel Unison, a powerful free app bridging Android phones and PCs, is shutting down

Intel Unison will cease operations on June 30, 2025. The app has been recognized for transforming Android tablets into external displays and allowing users to make calls, send texts, and transfer files from Windows PCs. While some features can be replicated with Microsoft Phone Link, many users prefer Intel Unison for its comprehensive experience. Lenovo Aura platforms will continue to support Intel Unison until the end of 2025. The app requires Windows 11 machines with at least version 22H2 and a minimum of a 12th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, but it is also compatible with non-Intel machines. Certain Intel Evo 13th-generation and later devices came pre-installed with Intel Unison. Users will need to switch to Microsoft Phone Link for connectivity between Android devices and Windows PCs after the discontinuation.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

Android 15 blocked Phone Link from mirroring sensitive notifications, but Microsoft has a fix

Microsoft's Phone Link app can now mirror sensitive notifications from Android devices to Windows PCs after the Android 15 update had initially restricted this capability. The Android 15 update classified two-factor authentication codes as sensitive, blocking their visibility to most notification listeners, including Phone Link. To access sensitive notifications, Phone Link must be preinstalled on the device and granted the RECEIVESENSITIVENOTIFICATIONS permission. Users with devices that have Link to Windows preinstalled, like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, can grant permission to restore full functionality. For devices without the preinstalled app, workarounds include disabling Android System Intelligence notification processing or manually granting permissions.

Winsage

March 9, 2025

Microsoft Teams is removing Android SMS integration on Windows 11

Microsoft Teams will transition from Skype, with an automatic migration process starting soon. The platform will remove the SMS messaging feature that allowed users to send and receive SMS through a linked Android device by April 2025. Users will need to use the Phone Link app for similar capabilities. Microsoft has begun notifying users about the discontinuation of SMS integration in Teams. To use the SMS feature, users needed a PC with Windows 11 and an Android phone with version 7.0 or newer, along with the "Link to Windows" app. The SMS messages would appear in the Chats section of Teams after linking the devices.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

How to add your Android phone to Windows 11 File Explorer

To integrate your Android phone with Windows 11, you need a Windows 11 PC with the latest updates, an Android device running Android 11 or later, and the Link to Windows app installed on your phone. 1. Open the Link to Windows app on your phone and log in with your Microsoft account. Select ‘Go to device settings’ and tap ‘ADD COMPUTER’. Visit www.aka.ms/phonelink on your PC or scan the QR code displayed on your PC screen to establish the connection. 2. On your phone, grant permissions to view photos and send texts by selecting ‘View permissions’, then ‘Settings’, and enabling access for ‘Phone’, ‘SMS’, ‘Contacts’, and ‘Storage’. 3. In the Phone Link app on your PC, click ‘Open settings on mobile device’ to grant notification permissions on your phone by navigating to ‘Device and app notifications’, selecting the ‘Link to Windows’ app, and toggling on ‘Allow notification access’. 4. On your PC, go to ‘Settings’, select ‘Bluetooth & devices’, and enable ‘Allow this PC to access your mobile devices’ and ‘Phone Link’. In ‘Manage devices’, ensure your phone is toggled on and enable ‘Show mobile device in File Explorer’. 5. On your phone, go to ‘All file access’ settings, select the ‘Link to Windows’ app, and toggle on ‘Allow access to manage all files’. A confirmation message will indicate successful linking. 6. Your phone should now appear as a tab in File Explorer, allowing easy access to your mobile storage.

Winsage

December 24, 2024

5 ways to control your Smart home from your Windows PC

Smart home technology offers convenience and control through various applications. The Home Remote app connects to smart devices for a one-time payment, but does not support brands like Ring and Nest. SmartThings, acquired by Samsung, supports over 100 brands and 1,000 devices but has limitations in accessing device details and creating new automations. Microsoft's Phone Link app allows users to mirror Android apps on a PC, requiring the phone to remain unlocked. The Google Home Web Dashboard enables monitoring of Nest camera feeds and triggering automations set on mobile devices, but does not allow direct control of devices. Amazon's Alexa app is compatible with many smart home devices and is the only voice assistant available on Windows PCs, though it is not found in the Microsoft Store. Overall, managing smart home devices from a Windows PC may lack the depth of mobile applications.

Winsage

December 21, 2024

How to Transfer Photos from Your Android Phone to a Windows PC

Transferring photos from an Android device to a Windows PC can be done using several methods, compatible with both Windows 10 and Windows 11. 1. USB Cable: Connect the Android phone to the PC via USB, change the USB mode to "File Transfer," open File Explorer, navigate to the photos in the Internal Storage or DCIM folder, and drag the photos to a destination folder on the PC. 2. Windows Photos App: Connect the phone using a USB cable, open the Photos app on the PC, click on the Import button, select the Android device, choose the photos to import, and select a destination folder. 3. Google Photos: Ensure backup is enabled in the Google Photos app on the phone, access Google Photos on the PC, select the desired photos, and download them as a ZIP file. 4. Microsoft OneDrive: Install OneDrive on the phone, enable Camera Upload, and access the uploaded photos in the OneDrive folder on the PC. 5. Microsoft’s Phone Link: Install the Phone Link app on the PC, link the phone, view photos in the app, and save individual photos by right-clicking and selecting Save As.