Phone Link for Windows: How to Connect Your Android Phone to Your PC

Table of Contents

1. What Is Phone Link?
2. How to Download and Use Phone Link
3. Phone Link vs Alternatives
4. Where Phone Link for Windows works well — and where it may not
5. Phone Link for Windows download and safety questions
6. Who should download Phone Link for Windows?

Developer	Microsoft
License	Free
Platform	Windows / Android
Official Site	Microsoft Phone Link Support Page

Your smartphone holds your messages, notifications, photos, calls, and apps. What if you could access all of that directly from your Windows PC — without picking up your phone? Phone Link, Microsoft’s official mobile companion app for Windows, makes this possible. Built into Windows 10 and Windows 11, Phone Link lets you send texts, take calls, view notifications, browse photos, and even run mobile apps — all from your laptop or desktop. In this guide, we’ll show you what Phone Link can do, how to set it up, and how it compares to other mobile-to-PC solutions.

What Is Phone Link?

Phone Link (formerly called “Your Phone”) is a free application developed by Microsoft that creates a smooth connection between an Android smartphone and a Windows PC. It is pre-installed on Windows 10 and Windows 11 and pairs with the Link to Windows app installed on your Android phone. Once connected over Wi-Fi (both devices must be on the same network), Phone Link mirrors your phone’s notifications, messages, and media to your PC in real time.

For Samsung Galaxy users on select devices with Windows 11, Phone Link goes even further — enabling full Android app streaming directly to the PC desktop. You can find full details and the download link on the official Microsoft Phone Link support page. The app is free and does not require a paid Microsoft 365 subscription.

Key Features

• Notifications mirroring — See and dismiss all Android notifications directly from your Windows PC taskbar, including WhatsApp, Gmail, Instagram, and more.
• SMS and MMS messaging — Send and receive text messages from your PC without touching your phone, with a full message history view.
• Phone calls — Make and receive phone calls through your PC’s speaker and microphone using your phone’s cellular connection.
• Photo access — Browse your phone’s recent photos and screenshots on your PC, and drag-and-drop them into documents or emails.
• App streaming (Samsung Galaxy) — On compatible Samsung Galaxy devices paired with Windows 11 PCs, run Android apps as windows on your desktop.
• Screen mirroring — View and interact with your phone’s screen directly on your PC (supported on select Samsung devices).
• Cross-device clipboard — Copy text or images on your phone and paste them on your PC, and vice versa.
• Wireless connection — No USB cable required; Phone Link works entirely over Wi-Fi.

How to Download and Use Phone Link

Setting up Phone Link is quick. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Open Phone Link on your PC. On Windows 10 or 11, search for “Phone Link” in the Start menu and open the app. If it’s not installed, download it for free from the Microsoft Store.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account. Phone Link requires a Microsoft account. Sign in or create a free account if you don’t have one.
3. Install Link to Windows on your Android phone. On your Android phone, go to the Google Play Store and install the Link to Windows app (by Microsoft Corporation). Samsung Galaxy users may already have it pre-installed.
4. Pair your devices. In the Phone Link app on your PC, click “Android.” A QR code will appear. On your phone, open the Link to Windows app and scan the QR code to pair the devices. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
5. Grant permissions on your phone. The Link to Windows app will request permissions for notifications, contacts, messages, and calls. Grant all permissions to get the full feature set.
6. Explore the Phone Link interface. Once connected, you’ll see tabs for Notifications, Messages, Calls, Photos, and (on supported Samsung devices) Apps. Click any notification to dismiss it or reply directly from the PC.
7. Pin Phone Link to your taskbar. For quick access, right-click the Phone Link icon and select “Pin to Taskbar.” This gives you instant access to your phone’s content at any time.

Phone Link vs Alternatives

Phone Link is a strong contender, but it’s not the only option for connecting your phone to your PC:

• Phone Link vs scrcpy — scrcpy offers full screen mirroring to any Android device with no Microsoft account needed. It’s more flexible but requires ADB setup and a command-line launch. Phone Link has a polished GUI and deeper Windows integration.
• Phone Link vs KDE Connect — KDE Connect is an open-source alternative that works across Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. It supports file transfer, clipboard sync, and remote input. Phone Link offers a more consumer-friendly interface with tighter Windows 11 integration.
• Phone Link vs Intel Unison — Intel Unison is a similar cross-device app that also supports iPhone in addition to Android. Phone Link is exclusive to Android but benefits from deeper OS integration and Microsoft’s ongoing development.
• Phone Link vs ApowerMirror — ApowerMirror focuses on visual screen mirroring and gaming scenarios. Phone Link focuses on communication and notification management. The two tools complement each other rather than compete directly.

Where Phone Link for Windows works well — and where it may not

Phone Link for Windows download and safety questions

Does Phone Link work with iPhone?

Phone Link officially supports Android only. Microsoft does not offer full Phone Link functionality for iPhone due to Apple’s platform restrictions. iPhone users on Windows can use Intel Unison or access iMessage via a Mac using Continuity features.

Do I need to pay for Phone Link?

No. Phone Link is completely free and is included with Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Link to Windows app for Android is also free on the Google Play Store. No Microsoft 365 subscription is required for core features.

Can Phone Link work without Wi-Fi?

Phone Link primarily connects over Wi-Fi and requires both devices to be on the same network for most features. It does not support USB connections. If you’re away from Wi-Fi, the connection will drop. Some notifications may still be delivered if you have a mobile hotspot active.

Which Samsung Galaxy devices support app streaming with Phone Link?

App streaming (running Android apps as windows on the PC) is supported on select Samsung Galaxy flagship devices including Galaxy S, Z Fold, and Z Flip series from recent years, when paired with a compatible Windows 11 PC. The exact supported device list is updated by Microsoft periodically — check the official Microsoft support page for the current list.

Who should download Phone Link for Windows?

Phone Link is one of the most underrated built-in tools in Windows 10 and 11. By bridging the gap between your Android phone and your PC, it eliminates the need to constantly switch between devices to check messages, answer calls, or access your photos. It’s free, built-in, and continuously improving with new features — especially for Samsung Galaxy users who can stream Android apps directly to the Windows desktop. Set it up today and experience a more connected workflow. Discover more tools and tutorials in our How-To section. Explore more free Windows and Android integration tools in our free software downloads section.

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Last Updated: April 13, 2026