Phone Link app Archives

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.

Winsage

November 8, 2025

Windows 11’s Phone Link is about to lose a handy feature

Microsoft is removing the Photos tab from the Phone Link app and redirecting users to access their photos through File Explorer in Windows 11. The File Explorer version offers better features, including multi-select, copy-paste, drag-and-drop, and video access. Users are being notified of this change and will need to enable mobile device access in File Explorer settings. The Phone Link app will be reduced from four tabs to three as a result of this transition. Users must enable the "Show mobile device in File Explorer" toggle in settings to ensure their Android phone appears in File Explorer.

Winsage

November 7, 2025

Microsoft is removing yet another handy Windows 11 feature — the ability to view photos in the Phone Link app

Microsoft is phasing out the built-in Photo viewer in the Phone Link app for Windows 11, allowing users to view photos directly through File Explorer instead. This change aims to streamline the management of mobile content on PCs, integrating photo viewing with other files. The Phone Link app will still support viewing phone status and messages.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

Windows 11 Phone Link app is losing Photos feature, Android gallery moving to File Explorer

The Microsoft Phone Link app will soon disable the ability to view photos directly from the phone’s gallery, consolidating photo access within File Explorer. Users will receive an alert when accessing the “Photos” section of the Phone Link app, indicating that photo viewing is transitioning to File Explorer, which offers enhanced photo management features such as multi-select, copy and paste, and drag-and-drop functionality. Unlike the Phone Link app, File Explorer allows access to the entire mobile storage, including videos. Users can enable mobile device visibility in File Explorer through the “Manage mobile devices” settings. Windows 11 integrates paired phones into File Explorer, allowing users to view all files on their mobile devices. The Phone Link app’s Photos section will redirect users to File Explorer, where the camera folder is displayed, but accessing other images requires navigating through directories. The transition may present a steeper learning curve for users accustomed to the Phone Link app’s streamlined photo access.

Winsage

October 6, 2025

Microsoft releases biggest Windows 11 upgrade of the year just days before it will kill-off Windows 10

Microsoft is concluding support for Windows 10, urging users to upgrade to Windows 11 before the final update is released. The latest Windows 11 update, version 25H2, introduces new features, including a revamped Start Menu with pinned apps and recommendations for recently opened documents, integration of Phone Link for managing mobile interactions, customizable lock screen options, an upgraded File Explorer with a "Recommended" area, and a self-repair function called Quick Machine Recovery. Windows 10 will cease receiving free updates on October 14, 2025, raising security concerns for users. Windows 11 requires specific hardware compatibility, including a 64-bit processor, a minimum of 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, and TPM version 2.0 for installation.

Winsage

September 15, 2025

4 Windows tools I miss while using Ubuntu as my daily machine

Ubuntu lacks a system reset feature, requiring users to use a live USB for clean installations. It does not support repair upgrades using the latest ISO image. There is no system restore function, meaning users must perform full reinstalls to recover from issues. Ubuntu also lacks Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities in its screenshot tool and image applications, forcing reliance on external solutions. Additionally, there is no seamless phone integration like Windows' Phone Link app, limiting productivity. Despite its user-friendly interface and package management, these missing features hinder Ubuntu's appeal as a leading Linux distribution.

Winsage

September 10, 2025

Windows 11 25H2 Update: Stability Focus, No Performance Boost Over 24H2

Microsoft is set to introduce Windows 11 version 25H2, which is characterized as a modest enhancement over version 24H2, with no significant improvements in speed or efficiency according to benchmarks from Tom’s Hardware. The update operates as an "enablement package," activating existing features rather than introducing new code, which emphasizes stability and low-risk deployment, appealing to enterprise users. Benchmarks indicate that 25H2 maintains identical performance scores in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming compared to its predecessor. The update coincides with the end-of-support for Windows 10 in October 2025, but critics argue it lacks enticing enhancements and removes certain functionalities, reflecting a shift in Microsoft’s focus towards cloud integration and AI tools. Initial user reactions indicate frustration over the lack of new features, with some considering it a non-event.

Winsage

September 4, 2025

Microsoft Prepares Clipboard Synchronization Between Windows And Android With Gboard Support

Microsoft is enhancing connectivity between Windows 11 and Android devices through its Phone Link system, introducing a clipboard synchronization feature. This feature allows users to share their Windows clipboard with Android devices, currently available in early development versions. Once activated, copied items appear instantly on connected Android devices and are compatible with various input methods, including Gboard and Samsung Keyboard. However, the synchronization is unidirectional, allowing content to be copied from Windows to Android but not the other way around.