Connect your phone to your PC to manage messages, calls, notifications, photos, and apps
Connect your phone to your PC to manage messages, calls, notifications, photos, and apps
Vote (2 votes)
Program license Free
Developer Microsoft Corporation
Version 1.26061.113.0
Works under Android
Also known as Your Phone Companion
Vote
(2 votes)
Developer
Microsoft Corporation
Works under
Android
Program license
Free
Version
1.26061.113.0
Also known as
Your Phone Companion
Pros
- Brings text messages, calls, notifications, and photos from Android to a Windows PC
- Lets you respond to texts and interact with phone content using a full keyboard, mouse, and larger screen
- Advanced features like app streaming, drag-and-drop, and cross-device copy-paste on select Microsoft Duo, Samsung, and HONOR devices
- Integrated on supported phones and accessible from the Quick Access tray
- Accessibility service supports control of phone apps with a PC screen reader, without collecting sensitive data through that service
Cons
- Significant connectivity and pairing issues for some users, even after extensive troubleshooting
- Enhanced features limited to specific phones and newer Windows 10 setups with sufficient RAM and recent updates
- Notifications dismissed on PC do not automatically clear on the phone
- No built-in email integration comparable to the text messaging features
Microsoft’s Link to Windows app connects your Android phone with your Windows PC so you can handle calls, text messages, notifications, apps, photos, and files from your computer instead of constantly reaching for your phone. It brings much of your phone’s activity into a single desktop view.
This app suits Windows 10 users who spend a lot of time at a PC, want quick access to phone content, and prefer replying to texts and managing notifications with a keyboard and larger screen instead of on a small display.
Cross-device features that reduce phone handling
The strongest aspect of Link to Windows is how it centralizes everyday phone tasks on your PC. Once your phone and computer are connected, you can:
- Read and reply to SMS messages from your PC, which is ideal if you want to stay responsive without getting absorbed in your phone.
- Make and receive calls from the computer, as long as your Windows 10 PC supports Bluetooth.
- View and manage Android notifications on your desktop, so alerts appear where you are already working.
- Access your recent photos directly from the PC and copy, edit, or drag them into other apps instead of emailing images to yourself.
On supported devices, the integration goes further. You can open mobile apps on your PC, drag files between phone and computer, and use shared copy-and-paste so text and other content move easily across devices. The ability to use your PC’s keyboard, mouse, and even touch screen to interact with your phone makes extended typing and navigation much more comfortable than doing everything on a handset.
Best experience on select Android phones and modern PCs
Not every Android phone gets the same feature set. The app is more deeply integrated on select Microsoft Duo, Samsung, and HONOR models. On those devices, Link to Windows is built in, appears in the Quick Access tray, and enables extra capabilities such as:
- Phone screen mirroring
- File drag-and-drop
- Cross-device copy and paste
- Full Apps support, including running multiple apps when the PC and phone meet the listed requirements
For the richer multi-app experience on PC, you need a Windows 10 machine with the May 2020 Update or later and at least 8 GB of RAM, paired with an Android device running Android 11. Without those conditions, you still get core messaging, calls, notifications, and photo access, but not the full advanced toolkit.
Day-to-day convenience, with a few missing touches
When the connection behaves, the app can feel almost invisible in a good way. Texts, calls, and photos appear on your PC, and you can respond quickly without digging out your phone or getting sidetracked by other mobile apps. Some users describe it working reliably nearly all the time and praise how convenient it is for staying available by text while avoiding phone distractions.
There are, however, some gaps in the current feature set. For example, clearing a notification on the PC does not automatically clear that same alert on the phone, which breaks the feeling of a single, unified inbox. Another often requested addition is email integration at the same level as text messaging, allowing you to manage emails through the same interface instead of only SMS and notifications.
Connectivity and reliability concerns
The biggest complaint surrounding Link to Windows is not about what it can do, but whether it stays connected consistently. Some users report that, across multiple phones and PCs, the link between devices either drops frequently or never fully establishes.
There are reports of situations where:
- The phone appears paired, then immediately shows as disconnected.
- Both devices share the same Wi-Fi network and Microsoft account, with permissions and Bluetooth pairing checked, yet the app still refuses to connect.
- Reinstalling or repairing associated apps and following official troubleshooting steps does not resolve the issue.
- Attempts to use an alternative connection method via a web link fail with access errors.
For those affected, the experience shifts from a helpful companion to a frustrating cycle of pairing and re-pairing that never really stabilizes. Since the app’s value depends entirely on maintaining a reliable bridge between phone and PC, this inconsistency can be a serious drawback.
Accessibility support for screen reader users
Link to Windows includes a dedicated accessibility service designed for people who use a screen reading tool on their PC. When enabled, it lets you control all your phone’s apps from the computer with Android keyboard navigation while receiving spoken feedback through the PC’s speakers.
The developer states that no personal or sensitive data is collected through this accessibility service, which will reassure users who rely on these tools but are cautious about privacy.
Overall verdict
Link to Windows offers a strong vision: text messages, calls, notifications, apps, and photos all reachable from your desktop so you can stay connected without juggling devices. On supported phones backed by a modern Windows 10 PC, it provides powerful features that make everyday tasks smoother and cut down on needless phone usage.
However, the experience is uneven. Some users enjoy near-constant reliability and real convenience, while others run into persistent pairing and connection failures that negate the benefits completely. The lack of two-way notification clearing and the absence of integrated email handling also keep the app from feeling truly complete.
If your hardware is compatible and you are willing to work through potential connection hiccups, Microsoft’s Link to Windows can be a very helpful addition to a Windows-centric workflow. If you have already struggled with connectivity between your phone and PC, you may want to temper expectations and be prepared for an experience that can range from excellent to exasperating.
Pros
- Brings text messages, calls, notifications, and photos from Android to a Windows PC
- Lets you respond to texts and interact with phone content using a full keyboard, mouse, and larger screen
- Advanced features like app streaming, drag-and-drop, and cross-device copy-paste on select Microsoft Duo, Samsung, and HONOR devices
- Integrated on supported phones and accessible from the Quick Access tray
- Accessibility service supports control of phone apps with a PC screen reader, without collecting sensitive data through that service
Cons
- Significant connectivity and pairing issues for some users, even after extensive troubleshooting
- Enhanced features limited to specific phones and newer Windows 10 setups with sufficient RAM and recent updates
- Notifications dismissed on PC do not automatically clear on the phone
- No built-in email integration comparable to the text messaging features