Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Microsoft Phone Link is a Windows app that connects a PC to a supported Android phone or iPhone, so you can use selected phone features from Windows. The available features depend on the phone platform and model, software versions, connection type, and permissions you grant.
What Microsoft Phone Link does
Phone Link can bring selected phone functions to a Windows PC, including messages, calls, notifications, and recent photos. On some compatible Android devices, it can also show and open Android apps. That app feature is limited to select devices; having a phone that meets the basic requirements does not guarantee access to every Phone Link feature.
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Phone Link is the name of the Windows PC app. On Android, the companion mobile app is called Link to Windows. Microsoft’s published feature set differs between Android and iPhone, so Phone Link is not a promise that every phone function will work on the PC.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhat you can use depends on your phone
| Phone | Connection and companion app | Documented features and limits |
|---|---|---|
| Android | Link to Windows; Microsoft’s baseline setup uses the same Wi-Fi network for the phone and PC. | Messages, calls, notifications, and recent photos are among the available features. Android app access is limited to select supported devices. |
| iPhone | Bluetooth Low Energy pairing; Bluetooth must be enabled on both devices. | Microsoft documents a narrower feature set than for Android. Notifications, messages, and contacts require their corresponding permissions. |
Microsoft notes that feature availability varies by device type and operating-system version. Check the supported-device information for your specific model before relying on a particular capability: supported devices for Phone Link experiences.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Published requirements for Android and iPhone
Microsoft’s requirements page, accessed October 7, 2026, lists these baseline requirements. They do not guarantee that every feature will be available on a qualifying device, and requirements can change.
- Android: Android 10 or later; a PC running Windows 11 or Windows 10 with the October 2022 update or later; and the phone and PC on the same Wi-Fi network.
- iPhone: iOS 16 or later; a PC running Windows 11 or Windows 10 with the May 2019 update or later; and Bluetooth Low Energy on the PC.
Microsoft recommends keeping Windows up to date. For the current requirements and setup details, see Phone Link requirements and setup.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
How to link your phone to a Windows PC
Android
- Open Phone Link on the PC and choose the Android setup option.
- On the phone, open or install Link to Windows, then follow the pairing prompts. Microsoft’s setup supports QR-code pairing or entering a code manually.
- Use the same Microsoft account on both devices and keep them on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Approve the requested permissions on the phone. The functions available in Phone Link depend on those permissions and on device support.
iPhone
- Open Phone Link on the PC and choose the iPhone setup option.
- Follow the QR-assisted pairing instructions and make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices.
- Grant the permissions you want Phone Link to use for notifications, messages, and contacts.
Permissions, privacy, and shared PCs
Phone Link shows only features that are supported and enabled, including permissions you grant on the phone and feature controls you turn on or off. Review those choices if you do not want particular phone information to appear on the PC.
Recommended Free Tools
Microsoft specifically warns that allowing message access for an iPhone can make sensitive information, including two-factor authentication SMS messages, visible in Phone Link. If several people share one Windows PC, Microsoft recommends that each person use a separate Windows/Microsoft account to help protect their Phone Link data. See Microsoft’s Phone Link frequently asked questions.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
When Phone Link is a good fit
Phone Link is useful when you want selected phone features available while you work at a Windows PC, without treating the computer as a full replacement for the phone. Before counting on a specific function, verify support for your phone model, compare the Android or iPhone feature set, and check the permissions that function requires.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
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