How to Connect iPhone to Windows PC Using Phone Link

Microsoft Phone Link (formerly Your Phone) lets you view iPhone notifications, send and receive iMessages, make and receive calls, and access your iPhone photos directly on a Windows PC. This guide walks you through the setup process step by step, covering what you need, common pitfalls, and troubleshooting tips.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC with Bluetooth support.
• An iPhone running iOS 14 or later (iOS 15 or newer recommended for best compatibility).
• The Phone Link app on your PC (pre-installed on Windows 11; download from Microsoft Store for Windows 10).
• The Link to Windows app on your iPhone (free from the App Store).
• Both devices signed in to the same Microsoft account.
• Both devices connected to the internet (Wi‑Fi or cellular).
• Bluetooth enabled on both devices.

Step-by-Step

1. On your PC: Open the Phone Link app. If it’s not on your taskbar, click Start, type “Phone Link,� and press Enter.
2. On your iPhone: Download and install the Link to Windows app from the App Store.
3. Open Link to Windows on your iPhone and tap Continue to allow notifications and permissions when prompted.
4. Sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on your PC. If you don’t have one, create a free account at account.microsoft.com.
5. On your PC: In Phone Link, select iPhone as your device type.
6. Scan the QR code shown on your PC screen with your iPhone’s camera (open the Camera app and point it at the code). Tap the notification that appears to open the Link to Windows app.
7. Pair via Bluetooth: Follow the on‑screen prompts to pair your iPhone with your PC. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure it’s on. On your PC, the Phone Link app will search for nearby devices; select your iPhone when it appears.
8. Confirm the pairing code: Both devices will show a six‑digit code. Verify that the codes match, then tap Pair on both devices.
9. Grant permissions: On your iPhone, allow Link to Windows to access your notifications, contacts, and photos when prompted. On your PC, click Allow for any permission requests.
10. Finish setup: Once connected, you’ll see your iPhone’s name in Phone Link. You can now use the app to view notifications, send texts, make calls, and access recent photos.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the Microsoft account sign‑in: Both devices must be signed in to the same account. If you skip this, the QR code step won’t work.
• Not enabling Bluetooth: Phone Link relies on Bluetooth for the initial pairing and for call features. Make sure it’s on for both devices and that they’re within range (usually about 30 feet).
• Ignoring permission prompts: If you deny notification or contact access, those features simply won’t work. You can enable them later in Settings, but it’s easier to allow them during setup.
• Using a personal Microsoft account instead of a work/school one: Phone Link works with personal accounts. If you’re signed in with a work account, switch to a personal one.
• Closing the Link to Windows app on your iPhone: The app needs to stay running in the background. If you swipe it away, the connection may drop.

Tips

• Keep your iPhone’s screen unlocked during the initial setup to avoid connection timeouts.
• For the best experience, use a Wi‑Fi network instead of cellular data – it’s more stable.
• If you have multiple Windows PCs, you can connect your iPhone to each one separately, but only one connection is active at a time.
• To quickly access Phone Link, pin it to your taskbar or start menu.
• You can drag and drop photos from Phone Link to any folder on your PC – no need to email them to yourself.
• If you don’t see the “Photosâ€� section in Phone Link, make sure you’ve allowed photo access in Link to Windows on your iPhone.

Troubleshooting

QR code doesn’t scan or doesn’t open the app: Make sure the Link to Windows app is installed and that you’re using the built‑in Camera app, not a third‑party scanner. If the notification doesn’t appear, open the app manually and tap “Pair with PC.�

Bluetooth pairing fails: Turn off Bluetooth on both devices, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Also, make sure no other Bluetooth devices are interfering. Restart both devices if needed.

“Can’t connect� error: Check that both devices are on the same Wi‑Fi network (if using Wi‑Fi). Also, verify that the Microsoft account is the same on both. Sign out and sign back in on both devices if necessary.

Notifications aren’t showing: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and make sure notifications are enabled for the apps you want to see. Also, in Link to Windows, check that “Notifications� is toggled on.

Call audio isn’t working: Ensure Bluetooth is connected and that your PC’s microphone and speakers are set as the default devices. Test with a different app to confirm your PC’s audio works.

Photos are not syncing: In Link to Windows, tap the gear icon and confirm “Photos� is enabled. Also, allow the app to access your photo library in iOS Settings > Privacy > Photos.

Connection drops frequently: Keep your iPhone’s screen on and the Link to Windows app in the foreground. Also, disable battery saver mode on your iPhone for the Link to Windows app (Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode off).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Phone Link work with iMessage? Yes, you can send and receive iMessages through Phone Link, but only as text – you can’t see the blue vs. green bubble distinction. Group chats and attachments may not appear.

Can I make calls from my PC using Phone Link? Yes, you can make and receive calls. Your PC acts as a speakerphone, using its microphone and speakers. You’ll need Bluetooth enabled.

Do I need a Microsoft account? Yes, you must sign in with a free Microsoft account on both your PC and iPhone. It’s used to link the devices.

Will this drain my iPhone battery? The Link to Windows app runs in the background, so it can use some battery. You can close the app when not in use to save power, but then you’ll lose the connection.

Can I transfer files from my iPhone to my PC? Phone Link only shows your recent photos (up to 2,000). For full file transfer, use iCloud or a USB cable.

Why don’t I see the “Phone Screen� feature? That feature is Android‑only. On iPhone, you can’t mirror your screen or control the device remotely.

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