Android Alerts on Windows 10: How to Get Them

If you want to see your Android phone’s notifications—texts, calls, app alerts—right on your Windows 10 PC without constantly checking your phone, this guide shows you how. Microsoft’s “Phone Link” (formerly “Your Phone”) app is the built-in, free solution that mirrors notifications, lets you reply to messages, and even make calls from your desktop. You’ll need a Windows 10 PC (version 1903 or later) and an Android phone running Android 7.0 or newer.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with the Phone Link app (pre-installed on most recent versions, or download from the Microsoft Store)
• An Android phone with Android 7.0 or later
• Both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network (recommended, but not strictly required for Bluetooth pairing)
• A Microsoft account (you can use a free one, no need for a paid subscription)
• The Link to Windows app installed on your Android phone (available on Google Play)

Step-by-Step

1. Open Phone Link on your PC. Click the Start button, type “Phone Link,” and press Enter. If it’s not installed, go to the Microsoft Store, search for “Phone Link,” and install it.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account. If you’re not already signed in, click “Sign in” and enter your Microsoft account credentials. Use the same account you’ll use on your phone.
3. On your Android phone, install Link to Windows. Open Google Play Store, search for “Link to Windows,” and install it. If your phone is a Samsung, it might be pre-installed.
4. Open Link to Windows on your phone. Tap the app icon. It will ask for permissions—allow notifications, contacts, phone, and SMS. These are necessary for the features to work.
5. Scan the QR code. On your PC, the Phone Link app will display a QR code. In the Link to Windows app on your phone, tap “Link to Windows” or “Link your phone and PC,” then scan the QR code with your phone’s camera.
6. Complete the pairing. Follow the on-screen prompts on both devices. You’ll be asked to confirm a pairing code that appears on both screens. Click “Allow” or “Pair” when prompted.
7. Grant notification access on your phone. When prompted, go to your phone’s Settings > Apps & notifications > Special app access > Notification access, and enable “Link to Windows.” This allows the app to read your notifications.
8. Wait for sync. The first sync can take a minute or two. You’ll see your phone’s name appear in the Phone Link app on your PC.
9. View notifications. In the Phone Link app, click the “Notifications” tab on the left sidebar. You’ll see a list of recent notifications from your phone. Click on one to open it on your PC (if the app supports it) or to dismiss it.
10. Reply to messages. To reply to a text message, click the “Messages” tab, select a conversation, and type your reply in the text box at the bottom. Press Enter to send.
11. Make calls (optional). Click the “Calls” tab to see recent calls and dial a number. You’ll need a Bluetooth connection for this feature. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices and they are paired.
12. Customize notification settings. In Phone Link, click the gear icon (Settings), then “Notifications.” You can choose which apps show notifications on your PC, and turn off the ones you don’t need.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the notification access permission. Without this, you’ll see a message like “Notifications are turned off” and no alerts will appear. Go back and enable it in your phone’s settings.
• Using different Microsoft accounts. If you sign in with different accounts on your PC and phone, the link won’t work. Use the same account on both.
• Phone and PC on different networks. While not strictly required, being on the same Wi-Fi network makes the connection more stable and faster. If you’re having issues, connect both to the same router.
• Outdated apps. Both Phone Link and Link to Windows are updated regularly. If you have an old version, features may not work. Check for updates in the Microsoft Store and Google Play.
• Ignoring Bluetooth for calls. If you only want notifications, you can skip Bluetooth. But for calls, you must pair your phone and PC via Bluetooth. Go to Windows Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, and add your phone.

Tips

• Use “Focus assist” to avoid distractions. Windows 10 has a Focus assist feature that can hide notifications during certain hours. Right-click the notification center icon (bottom-right) and select “Focus assist” to set your preferences.
• Pin Phone Link to your taskbar. Right-click the app icon in the taskbar and select “Pin to taskbar” for quick access.
• Mute specific apps. In Phone Link settings, you can turn off notifications for apps that spam you (like games or social media). This keeps only important alerts.
• Use the “Open on PC” feature. For supported apps (like WhatsApp or Facebook), you can click a notification and it will open the corresponding app on your PC, if you have it installed.
• Keep your phone unlocked. Some features, like viewing photos, may require your phone to be unlocked. For notifications, it’s not necessary, but it can help with syncing.

Troubleshooting

Notifications not showing up? First, check that notification access is enabled in Link to Windows. Then, open Phone Link on your PC, go to Settings > Notifications, and make sure the toggle is on. Also, check your phone’s notification settings for the specific app—if the app’s notifications are disabled on the phone, they won’t appear on your PC.

Connection keeps dropping? This is often due to Wi-Fi instability. Make sure both devices are on the same network and try restarting both apps. If the problem persists, unpair and re-pair the devices (in Phone Link, go to Settings > Phone, and click “Unlink this phone,” then repeat the pairing process).

Phone Link says “Phone not found”? Ensure your phone’s Link to Windows app is running (not closed) and that your phone is not in battery saver mode, which can kill background processes. Also, check that your phone’s Bluetooth is on if you’re trying to use calls.

Messages won’t send? This can happen if your phone loses internet connection. Make sure your phone has a data or Wi-Fi connection. Also, check that SMS permission is granted to Link to Windows (in your phone’s app permissions).

Photos not syncing? The Photos feature requires your phone to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your PC. Also, you might need to enable “Allow this device to access my photos” on your phone when prompted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Phone Link free? Yes, it’s completely free. You just need a Microsoft account and an Android phone.

Q: Does this work with any Android phone? Most Android phones running Android 7.0 or later work with basic features (notifications, messages). Samsung phones have extra integration (like app mirroring), but the core features are available on all.

Q: Can I see notifications from all apps? Yes, you can see notifications from any app that sends them to your phone’s notification shade. You can customize which apps appear in Phone Link’s settings.

Q: Will this drain my phone’s battery? The Link to Windows app does use some battery because it runs in the background. However, it’s generally minimal. If you’re concerned, you can close the app when not in use, but then you won’t get notifications.

Q: Can I use this over the internet, not just Wi-Fi? Yes, Phone Link can work over cellular data, but it may be slower and use more battery. It’s best to use Wi-Fi when possible.

Q: What if I have an iPhone? Phone Link is only for Android. For iPhone, you can use the “Your Phone” app for Windows 10, but it only supports copying links and photos, not notifications. For full notification mirroring on iPhone, you’d need third-party apps like Pushbullet or AirDroid.

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