Unlink and Relink Your Android Phone in Phone Link

Unlinking an Android phone from Windows Phone Link removes the pairing so you can set it up again if the connection is stuck, you changed phones, or you want to start fresh. You’ll need access to both the Windows PC and the Android phone, and you may need to sign in to the same Microsoft account during setup.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows PC with the Phone Link app and an Android phone with Link to Windows (the app may be built into some phones).
• Access to the Microsoft account used for the existing connection. For the simplest setup, use the same account on both devices.
• Both devices connected to the internet. Keep them nearby while pairing, and allow Bluetooth if you plan to use calling features.

Step-by-Step

1. Check the current connection. On your PC, open Phone Link from the Start menu. On your Android phone, open Link to Windows. Menu labels and locations can vary by phone maker; if the app is built into your phone, look under Settings for “Link to Windows.” Confirm which Microsoft account and phone are connected before removing anything.
2. Remove the phone in Phone Link. In the PC app, select the gear icon to open Settings, then open My Devices or Devices, depending on the version. Find the Android phone you want to disconnect, open its options (often a three-dot menu), and choose Remove or Unlink. Confirm the action if prompted. If you see a device-management link instead, open it and remove the phone from your Microsoft account’s device list.
3. Remove the PC connection on Android. Open Link to Windows on your phone. Tap the gear or menu, look for the connected computer or account, and choose the option to sign out, unlink, or remove the PC. Confirm when asked. The wording differs across Android versions and manufacturers. If there is no PC listed, continue after completing the PC-side removal.
4. Restart both devices. Restart the PC and the phone. This clears many temporary pairing or app-state problems. Make sure both are online again before you begin pairing.
5. Start pairing from the PC. Open Phone Link and select Android or Get started. Sign in if requested. Follow the on-screen prompts; depending on the app version, the PC may show a QR code or provide another pairing method.
6. Connect the phone. Open Link to Windows on Android and sign in with the Microsoft account shown in Phone Link. Choose the option to link a new computer or pair a device. Scan the QR code shown on the PC when prompted, or follow the alternate method displayed. If your phone asks for a code, enter the code shown in Phone Link.
7. Approve the connection and permissions. Confirm the pairing request on both screens. Grant only the permissions you want Phone Link to use, such as contacts, notifications, photos, or calls. Some features require separate permissions or Bluetooth pairing; follow the prompts for those features.
8. Verify the relink. Wait for Phone Link to finish setup, then check that the correct phone appears in the PC app. Test a basic feature, such as viewing recent photos or notifications, if you enabled it. If a feature is missing, check its individual permission and settings rather than unlinking again immediately.

Common Mistakes

• Removing the wrong device: If multiple phones or PCs appear, check the device name before selecting Remove. Removing a device can interrupt its Phone Link connection.
• Unlinking only one side: The PC and phone can each retain connection details. Remove the old pairing on both sides when possible, then pair again.
• Using different Microsoft accounts: Sign in with the account associated with the PC’s Phone Link setup. If you intentionally use another account, follow the app’s prompts and check that the phone is not still registered under the previous one.
• Expecting every feature without permissions: Pairing does not automatically grant access to notifications, contacts, photos, or calls. Review the Android permission prompts and Phone Link’s feature settings.
• Scanning an old QR code: Use the code currently displayed by Phone Link. A previous code or an unfinished pairing screen may no longer work.

Tips

• Keep both devices awake, nearby, and connected to the internet during pairing. A stable Wi-Fi connection can make setup easier.
• Update Phone Link from the Microsoft Store and update Link to Windows from the Play Store when an update is available. On some phones, Link to Windows updates through the phone’s system software.
• If you only need to fix one feature, check its settings first. For example, calls may need Bluetooth pairing, while notifications need notification access; a full unlink is not always necessary.
• Removing the Phone Link pairing is not the same as erasing the phone or deleting its files. Still, review any confirmation carefully so you know what device or account entry you are removing.

Troubleshooting

The phone still appears after removal. Close and reopen Phone Link, then check its device list again. If the entry remains, inspect your Microsoft account’s device list and remove the old phone there if it is listed. Restart the PC and refresh the app.

The QR code will not scan. Increase the screen brightness on the PC, clean the phone camera lens, and hold the phone steady. Confirm that the code is the one currently shown in Phone Link. If the app offers another pairing method, use that instead.

Pairing starts but does not finish. Check that both devices have internet access, that you are signed in to the expected account, and that Link to Windows is allowed to run. Close and reopen both apps, restart both devices, and try again. Temporarily disabling a VPN or switching networks can help identify a connection issue; restore your usual settings afterward.

Phone Link says the device is already connected. Look for an old phone or PC entry on both sides and remove it. If you cannot find it in the app, check the account’s device list, then start pairing again from the current Phone Link screen.

Some features do not work after relinking. Open Phone Link settings and confirm the feature is enabled. On Android, review Link to Windows permissions in the phone’s Settings app. For calling, check Bluetooth is on and the PC and phone are paired for audio. Permission names and paths vary by manufacturer.

The app is missing or behaves unexpectedly. Search the Start menu for Phone Link and install or update it through the Microsoft Store if available. On Android, find Link to Windows in Settings or install it from the Play Store if your phone supports it. If the problem persists, consult your phone maker’s support instructions for its specific Link to Windows integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will unlinking erase anything from my Android phone?
No. Unlinking removes the Phone Link connection; it does not factory-reset the phone or erase its local files.

Do I need to uninstall Link to Windows?
Usually not. Remove the connection in the app instead. Uninstalling may not be possible when Link to Windows is built into the phone.

Can I link the same phone again?
Yes. After removing the old connection, start a new pairing in Phone Link and follow the prompts on both devices.

Must both devices use the same Microsoft account?
Using the same account is the usual, simplest setup. Follow the sign-in instructions shown by Phone Link if your account arrangement differs.

Does unlinking remove the phone from my Microsoft account?
Not necessarily. The app connection and the account’s device list are separate; check the account device list if you also want to remove its listing.

Why do I have to approve permissions again?
Relinking or changing app permissions can require new approvals. Grant only the access needed for the Phone Link features you choose to use.

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