Phone Link app Archives

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

Windows 11 Will Now Let Android Smartphone Users Shutdown Or Restart Their Systems Remotely Using The Native Phone Link App

Microsoft's Phone Link app for Windows 11 is set to introduce a feature allowing Android users to remotely shut down or restart their Windows 11 machines. Code findings indicate the presence of a "RemoteControlManager" component, along with labels confirming functionalities for initiating a "Restart" or "Shut down" from smartphones. Additional features may include the ability to perform updates remotely. A sleep feature is also in development, but it will prevent users from restarting or shutting down their devices until they unlock their computers. There is currently no official timeline for the rollout of these updates.

Winsage

August 4, 2026

Microsoft delivered plenty of Windows 11 updates in July — and I’m highlighting the most important changes for your PC

Microsoft has introduced several enhancements to Windows 11 in July 2026, including: - An updated Windows Search that automatically identifies additional relevant folder locations based on user activity. - Enhancements to the Phone Link companion flyout in the Start menu for quick previews of recent messages or notifications. - An adaptive hibernate policy that prevents hibernation when the battery is above 80% and initiates it when below 10%. - Performance improvements in File Explorer, including faster deletion of large files and touch scrolling support. - Streamlined Windows Update process that reduces system restarts by consolidating updates. - New gesture controls for Precision Touchpads to adjust scroll and zoom speeds. - Support for removing smart card policies in Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 sessions. - Improved usability of refreshable Braille displays with Narrator for instant connectivity. - Ability to reposition the Taskbar to any side of the screen for personalization. - Introduction of Voice Isolation for Voice Access to enhance speech recognition in noisy environments.

Winsage

July 12, 2026

Microsoft wants to integrate your smartphone more natively across Windows 11’s user experience

Microsoft is enhancing the Windows 11 user experience by improving the integration of smartphones through significant upgrades to the Phone Link feature. Key upgrades include enhancements to the Phone Companion feature in the Start menu, allowing users to view recent activities and notifications without launching the app. A new smartphone flyout will be tested in the Taskbar's system tray, displaying a phone icon for connected devices and offering quick access to settings and file sharing. Clipboard history synchronization between the phone and PC is also being considered, enabling users to access a comprehensive list of copied content. Additionally, a standalone Messages app for Windows 11 is in development, allowing users to sync SMS conversations and respond directly from their PC. These features are in the exploration and prototyping stages, with feedback from Insiders expected before any final decisions are made. Microsoft aims to create a cohesive ecosystem where smartphones and PCs work seamlessly together.

Winsage

July 12, 2026

Microsoft wants to integrate your smartphone more deeply with Windows 11: Plans major UX enhancements that will make your PC and phone more seamlessly connected

Microsoft is enhancing the Windows 11 shell and user experience by integrating smartphone features more seamlessly. Significant upgrades are planned for Phone Link, which will evolve into a more native experience. The Phone Companion feature in the Start menu will allow users to view recent activities without launching the Phone Link app, enabling easy scrolling and detailed information on hover. A new smartphone flyout is being tested for the system tray, featuring a phone icon that provides an overview of the phone's status and quick access to functions like Do Not Disturb and file sharing. These features are in the exploratory stages, reflecting Microsoft's commitment to integrating Phone Link capabilities into Windows, allowing access to phone files and using the phone's camera as a webcam.

Winsage

June 16, 2026

Start

The Start interface in Windows 11 is a centered floating window that can be accessed by clicking the Start button or using keyboard shortcuts like WINKEY or Ctrl + Esc. Key features include a Search box for initiating searches, a customizable Pinned section for frequently used apps, a Recommended area for recently accessed items, and an All section displaying all installed apps. Users can manage their account through the Account manager, access power options for Lock, Sleep, Shutdown, and Restart, and connect mobile devices via the Phone Link app. Customization options for the Start interface include moving the Start and Taskbar icons to the left, configuring Windows Search settings, and customizing the Pinned and Recommended sections. Users can pin, unpin, and rearrange app shortcuts in the Pinned section, adjust what appears in the Recommended section, and choose between different layout views in the All section. The Account manager allows limited customization of notifications, and users can add folders and mobile device slices to Start. The Quick link menu provides access to legacy management interfaces and can be accessed by right-clicking the Start button or using WINKEY + X.

Winsage

May 6, 2026

New Trojan attacks Windows and steals data from smartphones via Phone Link

Cisco Talos experts have discovered a trojan that has been operational since at least January 2026, which installs the CloudZ RAT (Remote Access Tool) on Windows systems along with the Pheno plugin. The attack starts with an undisclosed initial access vector and involves executing a counterfeit SmartConnect update to deploy the CloudZ RAT. This RAT establishes an encrypted connection to its command and control (C2) server, allowing attackers to extract sensitive information. The CloudZ RAT assists in harvesting credentials from web browsers and downloads the Pheno plugin, which accesses Phone Link app data and transmits it to the C2 server. The Phone Link feature synchronizes critical data, including SMS messages with one-time passwords and account login details, which are the primary targets of the attackers.

Winsage

March 29, 2026

Microsoft quietly shipped 9 meaningful Windows 11 improvements this year, and they actually make the OS feel more polished

Microsoft has released a series of quality updates for Windows 11 in the first quarter of 2026, introducing several new features: - Cross-device resume allows users to resume Android apps directly on Windows 11 via the Taskbar. - Windows MIDI Services now support MIDI 0 and 2.0, including WinMM and WinRT MIDI 1.0 support. - Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security now supports external fingerprint readers. - A new "Device info" card in the Settings app displays key hardware specifications. - Quick Machine Recovery is now enabled by default for Windows 11 Pro. - A new network speed test feature can be accessed via the Taskbar. - Camera settings enhancements allow management of pan and tilt controls. - Sysmon is now a native feature in Windows 11, providing advanced monitoring capabilities. - Windows 11 supports WebP images as wallpapers.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Windows 11’s “almost full-screen” Android apps mirroring now available for everyone via Phone Link app with supported phones

Users can utilize the "Expanded screen" feature in the Microsoft Phone Link app, allowing up to 90% of desktop screen space to be used when streaming Android applications to Windows 11. This feature is available to all users and may require updates from the Microsoft Store for those who do not see it yet. The Phone Link app previously had a compact view for Android app streaming, but now allows apps to stretch across the desktop. The feature prompts the phone to relaunch the app in a wider layout, which is then streamed to the PC, though not all apps are compatible with this expanded view. The feature is described as "almost-full-screen," leaving about 10% of the screen unused. The "Apps" section in Phone Link may be absent if the device is not supported; compatible devices include select models from Samsung, HONOR, OPPO, ASUS, vivo, and Xiaomi. Microsoft has also introduced the ability to lock PCs directly from Android phones.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

4 Ways To Use Android Apps On Your Mac Or PC

You can access Android apps on your PC or Mac through various methods. 1. Phone Link: Windows 11 allows you to sync your Android phone with your PC using the Phone Link app, enabling you to send texts, make calls, browse photos, and launch Android apps. To set it up, both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and you need to install the Link to Windows app on your Android device. 2. Google Play Games: This desktop application lets you play Android games on Windows. Minimum requirements include Windows 10, 10GB SSD storage, 8GB RAM, and Intel UHD Graphics 630. You can download it from the Google Play Games website. 3. MuMuPlayer: An Android emulator that recreates the Android OS environment on your computer. It requires Windows 7 or later, a quad-core i5-7500 CPU, 4GB RAM, and 2GB free disk space. You can download and install it, then access the Play Store to run Android apps. 4. ScrCpy: An open-source tool for mirroring and controlling your Android screen on your computer via a wired connection. You need to enable Developer options and USB debugging on your Android phone, then connect it to your computer and run ScrCpy to mirror the screen. Each method has specific requirements and setup instructions.

Winsage

November 11, 2025

The easiest way to send and receive Android texts on your Windows PC

The integration of an Android smartphone with a Windows PC can be achieved using Microsoft's Phone Link app, which enhances productivity by allowing users to manage text messages, make or take calls, access photos, view notifications, and manage settings directly from their PC. To connect the devices, users launch the Phone Link app on their PC, scan a QR code with their phone to download the Link to Windows app, and enter a code to establish the connection. Users can read and respond to text messages, initiate calls, view recent calls, access recent photos, and receive notifications on their PC. The app also allows for settings management, including clipboard sharing and device linking.