Set Up and Use Windows 11/10 Phone Link to Sync Texts, Calls, and Photos

Set Up and Use Windows 11/10 Phone Link to Sync Texts, Calls, and Photos​

Difficulty: Beginner | Time Required: 15 minutes
Phone Link (formerly “Your Phone”) lets you handle everyday phone tasks—texts, calls, notifications, and photos—directly from your Windows PC. It’s a big productivity boost: you can reply to SMS while working, take quick calls on your headset, and drag recent photos into emails or documents without constantly picking up your phone.
This guide walks you through setting up Phone Link on Windows 11 or Windows 10, then using it to sync texts, calls, and photos.

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Prerequisites​

Before you start, make sure you have:

• A PC running Windows 11 or Windows 10 (May 2020 Update / version 2004 or newer recommended)
  • Phone Link is built-in on Windows 11 and available from Microsoft Store on Windows 10.
• A smartphone:
  • Android (best overall integration), or
  • iPhone (supports calls/messages, but photo integration is more limited than Android)
• A reliable Wi‑Fi connection (same network is helpful, but not always required)
• Bluetooth enabled on your PC and phone (especially for calling features)
• The same Microsoft account signed in on the PC (and used during pairing where prompted)

Note: Features vary by phone model, Android version, and manufacturer (Samsung/Surface Duo often have the most features). iPhone support is improved in recent Phone Link releases, but still not as full-featured as Android.

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Step-by-Step: Install/Update Phone Link​

1. On your Windows PC, open Start and search for Phone Link.
2. If you don’t see it (more common on Windows 10):
   1. Open the Microsoft Store
   2. Search for Phone Link
   3. Click Install (or Update if it’s already installed)
3. Launch Phone Link.
4. If prompted, sign in with your Microsoft account.

Tip: Keeping Phone Link updated fixes many pairing and notification issues. In Microsoft Store, go to Library > Get updates.

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Step-by-Step: Pair Your Phone with Phone Link​

A) Pair an Android phone​

1. In Phone Link on your PC, choose Android.
2. Click Continue. You’ll typically be shown a QR code.
3. On your Android phone:
   1. Install Link to Windows (from Google Play) if it’s not already installed
      • Some phones have it built-in under Settings.
   2. Open Link to Windows
   3. Sign in with the same Microsoft account (if asked)
   4. Choose Scan QR code and scan the code shown on your PC
4. Approve permissions on your phone when prompted (commonly includes):
   • Contacts (for calling features)
   • SMS (for messages)
   • Photos/Media access
   • Notifications
   • Background activity/battery optimization exclusions

Warning: If you deny SMS/Contacts permissions, texting and calling features may not work. You can re-enable permissions later in Android Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Permissions.

B) Pair an iPhone​

1. In Phone Link on your PC, choose iPhone.
2. Follow the prompts to pair via Bluetooth.
3. On the iPhone:
   1. Ensure Bluetooth is on
   2. Accept the pairing request
   3. Approve access to contacts and notifications (as prompted)

Note: iPhone integration relies heavily on Bluetooth. Keep phone and PC nearby for best reliability.

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Step-by-Step: Sync and Use Text Messages (SMS)​

1. In Phone Link on your PC, click Messages.
2. Wait for the initial sync (first sync can take a minute).
3. To send a text:
   1. Click New message
   2. Type a contact name/number
   3. Write your message and press Send
4. To reply:
   1. Select a conversation
   2. Type in the reply box and press Enter

Tip: On Android, you can usually view and reply to more message threads. On iPhone, functionality may be limited compared to Android, depending on your Phone Link version and Apple restrictions.

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Step-by-Step: Make and Receive Phone Calls from Your PC​

Calling typically requires Bluetooth pairing and permission for contacts.

1. In Phone Link, select Calls.
2. If prompted, allow permissions and confirm Bluetooth pairing.
3. To make a call:
   1. Use the dial pad, or
   2. Search/select a contact
   3. Click the Call button
4. To answer incoming calls:
   1. When your phone rings, a call pop-up should appear on your PC
   2. Click Accept
   3. Use your PC microphone/headset for audio

Note (Windows 10/11): If calls connect but you can’t hear anything, check Windows Settings > System > Sound and confirm the correct input/output devices (headset/speakers/mic) are selected.

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Step-by-Step: Access and Save Recent Photos​

Android (most seamless)​

1. In Phone Link, click Photos.
2. You should see a gallery of your most recent photos (often the latest 2,000 images, depending on device/permissions).
3. To save a photo to your PC:
   1. Click an image
   2. Choose Save as (or right-click > Save as)
4. To quickly use a photo:
   • Drag and drop it into an email, chat app, or a folder in File Explorer (support varies by setup)

iPhone (more limited)​

• Some setups show recent photos, but many users rely on alternatives like iCloud Photos or OneDrive for full photo syncing.

Tip: For a “set it and forget it” photo workflow on any phone, installing OneDrive on your phone with Camera Upload enabled can be more consistent than Phone Link alone.

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Useful Settings to Check (Recommended)​

In Phone Link on your PC:

1. Click the gear icon (Settings).
2. Review:
   • Notifications: enable if you want phone alerts on PC
   • Messages and Calls: ensure allowed and connected
   • Start Phone Link when I sign in (optional convenience)

On Android, also check:

• Battery optimization: disable optimization for Link to Windows to prevent disconnects
  (Exact path varies: often Settings > Battery > Battery optimization > All apps > Link to Windows > Don’t optimize)

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Tips and Troubleshooting Notes​

Phone Link won’t pair / QR code fails​

1. Ensure both devices are on the internet.
2. Update:
   • Phone Link (Microsoft Store)
   • Link to Windows (Google Play)
3. Restart both devices.
4. Try pairing again:
   • In Phone Link, remove the device (Settings)
   • On phone, remove the PC from Bluetooth/linked devices
   • Re-scan the QR code

Messages don’t sync or only partial history appears​

• Phone Link may not import your entire message history. It often syncs recent conversations.
• Confirm SMS permissions on the phone.
• For Android, ensure Link to Windows is allowed to run in the background.

Calls connect but audio is broken​

• In Windows:
  • Settings > System > Sound
  • Choose the correct Output (speakers/headset) and Input (microphone)
• Re-pair Bluetooth if needed (remove and re-add the phone).

Notifications are noisy or distracting​

• In Phone Link settings, disable specific app notifications (Android supports more granular controls).
• Consider leaving messages/calls enabled but turning off less important alerts.

Warning: Phone Link shows phone notifications on your PC. If you share your computer or use it at work, review privacy settings and consider disabling sensitive notifications.

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Conclusion​

Phone Link is one of the easiest “quality of life” upgrades for Windows 10/11 users: it reduces phone distractions while keeping you responsive. Once paired, you can message from your keyboard, take calls through your PC audio setup, and pull recent photos onto your desktop in seconds—no cables required.
Key Takeaways:

• Use Phone Link to handle texts, calls, notifications, and photos from Windows 10/11.
• Android offers the fullest feature set, while iPhone support is improving but may be more limited.
• Most issues are solved by updating apps, approving permissions, and adjusting Bluetooth/sound settings.
• Disabling battery optimization for the phone companion app can dramatically improve reliability.

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This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.