How to connect (and disconnect) Android to Windows 11, 10 using Phone Link

• To connect your Android phone to your Windows 11 (or 10) PC, open the “Phone Link” app, click on “Android,” scan the QR Code with the phone’s Camera app, confirm the pairing code on Android, and allow permissions to complete the setup.
• If you want to add multiple phones, open the “Settings” page for the “Phone Link” app, on “Devices,” click the “Add new device” and continue with the on-screen directions.
• To remove an Android phone, open the “Settings” page for the “Phone Link” app, and on “Devices,” open the phone’s menu and choose the “Remove” option.

On Windows 11 (and 10), you can connect your Android phone to your computer to access your messages, notifications, pictures, and you can even make and receive phone calls, and in this guide, I will explain the steps to complete this configuration. (It’s important to note that you can connect one or multiple phones to Windows 11 through this process.)

The process of connecting your phone to your computer requires two components, including the “Phone Link” app for Windows 11 and the “Link to Windows” app on your Android phone. Once the connection is made, you can make calls, send and receive messages, manage notifications, and access your photos, among other things.

Before proceeding, you will have to install the Link to Windows app on your Android phone, which you can download from the Google Play Store.

The Phone Link app should already be installed on Windows 11 (and on Windows 10), but if you don’t have it, you can download it from the Microsoft Store. In addition, you have to ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and computer.

In this guide, I will explain the steps to connect your Android phone to your laptop or desktop computer running Windows 11. You can also refer to these instructions if the device is running the latest version of Windows 10.

• Connect an Android phone to Windows 11 (or 10)
• Connect multiple Android phones to Windows 11 (or 10)
• Remove an Android phone to Windows 11 (or 10)

Connect an Android phone to Windows 11 (or 10)

To connect your Android phone to Windows, use these steps:

1. On Windows, open Start.

2. Search for Phone Link and open the top result to open the app.

3. Click the Continue button and sign in with your Microsoft account (if applicable).

4. Click the Android button.

   

5. On Android, open the Camera app and scan the QR Code.

   

6. Click the Continue button.

7. Confirm the mobile device code as it appears on your Windows device.

   

8. Click the Continue button.

9. Confirm your Microsoft account (if applicable).

10. Click the Allow button to access your phone call logs.

11. Click the “While using the app” option to allow access to your pictures and record videos.

12. Click the “Allow limited access” option to access photos and videos on the device.

13. Click the Done button.

Once you complete the steps, the Phone Link will give you access to your phone status, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile signal, and battery level.

On the left navigation pane, you will be able to view your latest unseen notifications, and you’ll have the controls to manage features like “Do not disturb” and audio.

On the top, you will find three tabs, including “Messages,” “Calls,” and “Photos.”

On the “Messages” tab, you can check your text messages, respond to them, or create new messages.

On the “Calls” tab, you may still need to pair your phone with your computer using Bluetooth. In this case, click the “Begin pairing” button and continue with the on-screen directions.

On the page, you will be able to check your phone history as well as the ability to receive and make calls.

On the “Photos” tab, you can access your pictures stored on your phone. If you cannot access your images, click the “Send notifications” button and continue with the on-screen directions.

Connect multiple Android phones to Windows 11 (or 10)

To connect multiple phones to the Phone Link app on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. On Windows, open Start.

2. Search for Phone Link and open the top result to open the app.

3. Click the Settings (gear) button in the top-right corner.

4. Click on Devices.

5. Click the “Link new device” button.

   

6. Click the Android button.

   

   Quick note: You can also add an iPhone. You can use these instructions to learn more about the setup process.

7. On Android, open the Camera app and scan the QR Code.

8. Click the Continue button

9. Confirm the mobile device code as it appears on your Windows device.

10. Click the Continue button.

11. Confirm your Microsoft account (if applicable).

12. Click the Allow button to access your phone call logs.

13. Click the “While using the app” option to allow access to your pictures and record videos.

14. Click the “Allow limited access” option to access photos and videos on the device.

15. Click the Done button.

16. (Optional) Click the Settings button on the top-right corner.

17. Click on Devices.

18. Click the “Make default” option for the phone you want to access.

After you complete the steps, you will have multiple phones connected to your Windows 11 computer. The only caveat with this feature is that you can’t view multiple phones at the same time. Instead, you need to change the default view manually from the “Devices” page.

Remove an Android phone to Windows 11 (or 10)

To remove an Android phone from Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

1. On Windows, open Start.

2. Search for Phone Link and open the top result to open the app.

3. Click the Settings (gear) button from the top-right corner.

4. Click on Devices.

5. Open the menu for the phone and choose the Remove option.

   

6. Check the “I understand removing this device means I’m resetting Phone Link on this PC” option.

   

7. Click the Remove device button.

8. (Optional) Open Settings.

9. Click on Bluetooth & devices.

   Quick note: On Windows 10, open Settings > Bluetooth & other devices, and then you will find the device to remove.

10. Click the Devices page.

    

11. Click on the Android phone.

12. Click the Remove button to unpair the Bluetooth connection.

    

Once you complete the steps, the phone will no longer be available through the Phone Link app.