- To make and receive calls on Windows 11 (or 10), install and configure the “Phone Link” app on your computer and the “Link to Windows” app on your phone. Then, click on “Get started” from the “Calls” tab on the Phone Link app, connect your phone to your computer through Bluetooth, and start making and receiving calls.
On Windows 11 (and 10), you can make and receive phone calls using the Phone Link app, and in this guide, I will explain the steps to set up this feature on your computer.
The Phone Link app is an experience available for Windows users that allows you to connect your Android phone or iPhone to your computer to access your text messages, notifications, and pictures, and more importantly, it enables you to make and receive calls. However, the computer is not technically placing or taking the call directly. Instead, the Phone Link will communicate with the “Link to Windows” app, and your mobile device will process the incoming or outgoing call.
Before you can start making calls through your Windows computer, ensure Bluetooth is enabled on both the computer and phone, “Do not disturb” is disabled on Windows, and both devices are connected to the same network. Also, this configuration requires the “Phone Link” app, which should already be installed on your computer, and you will have to install the “Link to Windows” app on your computer.
In this guide, I will explain how to make, receive, and decline phone calls from Windows 10 (or 11) without unlocking your mobile device. Although I’m focusing this guide on Android, the steps will be similar to those for iPhone users.
How to make or receive calls from Windows 11 (or 10)
On Windows 11, to set up your phone with your computer to manage calls, you have to install and configure the Phone Link app on your computer and the Link to Windows app on your phone. The Phone Link will likely already be installed on your device, but you will have to install the Link to Windows app on your mobile device.
Connect your phone to your PC
To connect your Android phone to Windows, use these steps:
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On Windows, open Start.
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Search for Phone Link and open the top result to open the app.
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Click the Continue button and sign in with your Microsoft account (if applicable).
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Click the Android button.
Quick tip: If you have an Apple mobile device, choose the “iPhone” option and continue with the on-screen directions. -
On Android, open the Camera app and scan the QR Code.
Quick note: The QR Code will start the link between your computer and phone. If the “Link to Windows” app isn’t on your phone, the QR Code will open the page to install the app. -
Click the Continue button.
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Confirm the mobile device code as it appears on your Windows device.
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Click the Continue button.
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Confirm your Microsoft account (if applicable).
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Click the Allow button to send and view SMS messages.
Quick note: The request for permissions may appear in a different order, but if you want to use this app, you have to allow virtually every request or at least enable the permission in limited access when applicable. -
Click the Allow button to make and manage phone calls.
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Click the Allow button to access contacts.
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Click the Allow button to access your phone call logs.
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Click the “While using the app” option to allow access to your pictures and record videos.
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Click the “Allow limited access” option to access photos and videos on the device.
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Click the Allow button to send you notifications.
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Click the Deny button to prevent the app from running in the background, as this could affect your phone’s battery.
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Click the Done button.
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On Windows, click the Continue button (if applicable).
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Click the Calls tab.
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Click the Get started button.
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Click the Begin pairing button.
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Click the Set up button.
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On Android, click the Allow button to make the phone available on your computer through Bluetooth.
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Turn on the “Also allow access to contacts and call history” toggle switch.
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Click the Pair button if the Bluetooth pairing call on your phone matches the one on your computer.
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On Windows, click the Yes button.
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Click the Continue button.
Once you complete the steps, you can proceed to make and receive calls.
Manage calls from your computer
To make or receive calls from Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:
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Open the Phone Link app.
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Click the Calls tab.
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(Option 1) Dial the phone number and click the Call button.
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(Option 2) Select a recent call from the left and click the Call button.
After you complete the steps, the phone will process the call as a regular call, but the connection between the mobile device and computer will happen through Bluetooth.
If you want to receive calls, you only need the “Phone Link” app open on your computer. When a new call arrives, the phone will use the “Link to Windows” to patch the call to your computer, and then the “Phone Link” will ring the call.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].