Sync Your Smartphone to Your Windows Computer | Microsoft (2024)

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• Link to Windows (LTW) app for most Android devices.
• Link to Windows (LTW) app preinstalled on select Samsung and HONOR phones.
• You’ll see the name Link to Windows in the Google Play Store and in the Galaxy Store. In the Microsoft Store, you’ll see Phone Link. This link between your device and PC gives you instant access to everything you love. Read and reply to messages with ease, view recent photos from your Android device, use your favorite mobile apps⁶, make and receive calls, and manage your Android device’s notifications right on your PC.^{4 5}
• Phone Link requires the following to work:
  • A PC running Windows10 May 2019 Update or later.
    • If you're currently running the May 2019 Update, you will need to install the Phone Link app from the Microsoft Store. Any Windows version after the May 2019 Update will have the app preinstalled.
  • An Android device running Android 7.0 (Nougat) or above.

You'll find Phone Link preinstalled if you have the Windows10 October 2019 Update or later. When you open the app, you'll be guided through a few extra steps you'll need to take to finish setting things up.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Phone Link, and then select Phone Link app from the results.
2. Select Android.
3. You’ll be asked to sign into your Microsoft account (you'll need to be signed into the same Microsoft account on both your Android device and PC in order to link your devices.)
4. Once you're signed in, you'll be prompted to install or open the companion app on your Android device. To do this, open a web browser on your Android device and then enter the link that's displayed on your PC (aka.ms/yourpc).
5. Sign into the companion app with the same Microsoft account that you're signed in to on your PC. The app will then open to a screen that displays a QR code for you to scan—we'll come back to that.
6. Once you've signed in, go back to your PC and select the I have the Link to Windows app installed on my phone check box. Then select the Pair with QR code button.

   Note: If you'd like to pair your device without using a QR code, select the Pair manually button on your PC instead. On your Android device, you'll be prompted to enter the code displayed on your PC.

7. A QR code will appear on your PC screen. On your Android device, the companion app should be open to a screen with a camera on it. Use this screen to scan the QR code that's displayed on your PC.
8. Once your devices are linked, your Android device will prompt you for several device permissions. These permissions help you access content from your phone on your PC.

If you start from your Android device:

1. Open a browser on your Android device, type aka.ms/yourpc in the browser, and then download the Link to Windows app. For select Samsung devices.
2. You'll be prompted to open Link to Windows instead, which is preinstalled on your Android device.
3. Sign into the companion app with the same Microsoft account you're signed into on your PC (you need to be signed in with your Microsoft account on your PC in order to link your devices even though you're starting from your phone).
4. After signing in, you'll be prompted to scan a QR code that's displayed on your PC. To get to it, on your PC, open a browser to aka.ms/linkphone.
5. Use the companion app's camera to scan the QR code that's displayed on your PC with your Android device to link your devices.
6. You'll be asked for a series of device permissions to allow you to access content from your phone and on your PC.

If you encounter issues installing the app, troubleshoot them here.

• Make and take phone calls on cellular networks (this will require your phone to be paired to your PC).^{4 5 8 9}
• View your photo gallery (up to your most recent 2,000 pictures and screenshots from your camera roll and screenshots folder).^{4 5}
• Write and reply to SMS text messages, send photos, emojis, GIFs, and media content.^{4 5}
• Message history and group chats.^{4 5}
• Your phone’s contact list when you search for names or phone numbers.^{4 5}
• View, dismiss, pin, or clear all notifications. (You can also manage which apps have notification privileges).^{4 5}
• Put your phone into “Do Not Disturb” mode.^{4 5}
• Mute your phone if sound is playing from it.^{4 5}
• Play, pause, and skip songs that are “now playing” (like if you have Spotify or another music player open on your phone).^{4 5}
• See battery percentage, if Bluetooth is on, current Wi-Fi network connectivity, current mobile data network and strength.^{4 5 8 9}

Bluetooth pairing is required if you want to make or take calls on your PC. If you are unable to pair, follow these troubleshooting tips here: Troubleshooting calls in the Phone Link app - Microsoft Support.

Start with the Troubleshooting page. You can find It here: Troubleshooting the Phone Link app – Microsoft Support.

Microsoft Phone Link for iPhone® devices

Just because you have an iPhone doesn’t mean it can’t work with your Windows PC. Unite them with Microsoft Phone Link.

• Link to Windows (LTW) app for iPhone.
• You’ll see the name Link to Windows in the Apple® Store. In the Microsoft Store, you’ll see Microsoft Phone Link. This link between your device and PC gives you instant access to everything you love. Read and reply to messages with ease, make and receive calls, and manage your device’s notifications right on your PC.^{1 2}
• Phone Link requires the following to work: Phone Link for iOS requires iPhone® with iOS 14 or higher, Windows11 device, Bluetooth connection and the latest version of the Phone Link app. Not available for iPad® (iPadOS®) or MacOS®. Device compatibility may vary. Regional restrictions may apply. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. See full list of compatible devices by clicking here.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type Phone Link, and then select Phone Link app from the results.
2. Select iPhone.
3. A QR code will appear on your PC screen. On your iPhone use your phone’s default camera to scan the QR code that’s displayed on your PC.

   Note: If you’d like to pair your device without using a QR code, select the Continue manually without a QR code link on your PC instead. On your iPhone device, you’ll be prompted to open a hyperlink on your phone and pair through a webpage on your phone.

4. Once your devices are paired, your iPhone will prompt you for several device permissions. These permissions help you access content from your phone on your PC.
5. If you encounter issues installing the app, troubleshoot them here.

• Make and take calls.²
• Check and dismiss notifications.²
• Send and reply to messages.^{1 2}
• View your contacts.²

Yes. If you have issues pairing, check out the tips suggested here: Phone Link app requirements and setup - Microsoft Support.

Start with the Troubleshooting page. You can find It here: Troubleshooting the Phone Link app - Microsoft Support