Use Phone Link on your Windows 11 PC to control which feature groups and Android app notifications appear. File transfers are separate: you send files when you choose, and Phone Link saves received files to designated folders rather than continuously syncing phone storage.
Choose which Phone Link features are active
On the PC, open Phone Link > Settings > Features. Turn broad feature groups such as Notifications, Messages, Calls, and Photos on or off. These switches control access to the related Phone Link features and content, not just whether Windows displays a notification banner. Turning a feature off stops its related syncing until you turn it back on. Microsoft Support describes Phone Link as letting you customize which features and content sync.
Choose which Android apps can notify Windows
For app-by-app control, go to Phone Link > Settings > Features > Notifications > View apps. This list contains apps that have already sent notifications to the PC through Phone Link. For each listed app, choose how its notifications are presented:
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- Feed: show the notification in Phone Link’s notification feed.
- Feed and banner: show it in the feed and as a Windows banner.
- Off: stop showing notifications from that app on the PC.
You can also use notification actions to mute or turn off a source. The list is based on notifications that have reached Phone Link; it is not a complete directory of every app installed on the phone. Some Android notifications cannot be dismissed and are excluded, and the operating system can withhold sensitive notification contents.
Allow Link to Windows to access Android notifications
On the phone, grant notification access to Link to Windows when pairing or from Android settings. Android 13 and later use a runtime notification permission; if it was not granted during setup, open the phone’s system settings, find Link to Windows, and allow notification access. The precise settings labels can vary by Android version and phone manufacturer. Microsoft’s notification setup guidance covers granting this access.
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Fix notifications that are missing or have stopped
- Refresh notification access: In Android settings, search for Notification access. Switch Link to Windows access off and then on again, approve the prompt, then open Notifications in Phone Link on the PC and wait for it to refresh.
- Check power and focus settings: Battery optimization for Link to Windows on the phone, or Battery saver and Focus assist on the PC, can interrupt notification delivery.
- Check sensitive-content filtering: On Android 15 or later, notifications the operating system marks sensitive—including some authentication codes—are blocked from Phone Link. View those notifications on the phone.
- Check connectivity: Keep both devices powered on and connected to the internet. If needed, allow mobile-data syncing in Link to Windows settings on Android; use Wi-Fi if you want to avoid mobile-data use.
Microsoft’s notification troubleshooting guidance covers access, power, focus, and Android filtering issues. Its general Phone Link troubleshooting guidance also addresses connection and sync checks.
Share files when you choose—they do not continuously sync
Phone Link file sharing is an explicit send-and-receive workflow, not an automatic mirror of folders on the phone. For the workflow in Microsoft’s file-transfer guide, the stated requirements are Windows 11, Android 10 or later, Link to Windows version 1.24032.518.0 or later, and Phone Link version 1.24032.156.0 or later. Check Microsoft’s current guide for requirements and availability, since these product details can change.
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- 2 in 1: USB C + USB 3.0, 32GB usb c flash drive has dual ports, usb 3.0 port is applied to all devices which have usb 3.0 interface and usb c port is widely used in all Android smartphones with OTG function
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Send a file from Android to Windows
- On Android, open the file’s share menu and choose Link to Windows – Send to PC.
- Select the connected PC.
- On Windows, find the received file in DownloadsPhone Link by default. Change the destination in Phone Link settings if you prefer another folder.
Send a file from Windows to Android
- In Windows, select the locally saved file and open Share.
- Choose Phone Link and send it to the connected phone.
- On Android, look under DownloadsSent from your PC.
If you share a file stored in the cloud, the workflow shares a link to its location rather than transferring a local copy. Menu names and availability can vary by device; the listed requirements and steps apply to the file-sharing feature described by Microsoft.
Quick Recap
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- USB-C 2-in-1 storage OTG: The Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D40E features USB Type-A and Type-C connectors in a slim, portable form factor for easy device compatibility
- Transfer speeds up to 100MB/s: Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
- Durable & Compact: The Lexar D40E USB memory stick features a metal enclosure, withstands temperatures from 0° to 50° C (32°F to 122°F), and is lightweight at 26g with dimensions of 70.4 x 16.9 x 11.7mm
- Security & Warranty: Securely protects files using an advanced security software solution with 256-bit AES encryption. Backed by a Lexar 3-year limited warranty
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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