How to Use Your Phone App in Windows 10

The Your Phone app in Windows 10—now commonly called Phone Link—connects a compatible Android phone or iPhone to your PC. Depending on your phone and Windows version, you can view notifications, send and receive texts, make calls, and access photos without repeatedly picking up your phone. Before you start, check that Windows and the phone are online and that you can sign in to a Microsoft account.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with the Your Phone or Phone Link app. If it is not installed, look for Phone Link in the Microsoft Store, if available for your Windows installation.
• A compatible Android phone or iPhone, with the companion app if prompted. Android features are generally broader; available iPhone features depend on the app and Windows support in your region and version.
• A Microsoft account you can access on both devices. Some features also require Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the same wireless network.
• An internet connection during setup. Keep the phone charged and nearby while pairing.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the PC app. Select Start, type Phone Link or Your Phone, and open the matching app. If Windows prompts you to update it, follow the Microsoft Store instructions. The name and available options may differ on older Windows 10 installations.
2. Choose your phone type. Follow the opening screen to select Android or iPhone. The app shows the setup method for your device. On Android, you may be asked to install or open Link to Windows. On an iPhone, follow the displayed Bluetooth pairing instructions and any prompts to use the companion app.
3. Sign in with the same Microsoft account. Sign in on the PC and phone when asked. Check the account address before continuing; using different accounts is a common reason the devices do not appear linked.
4. Pair the devices. Use the QR code shown in Phone Link if your setup offers one: open the phone’s companion app and scan it. If the app gives a code or Bluetooth pairing request instead, follow that method and confirm that any displayed code matches on both devices. Keep both devices nearby and do not close the setup screens until pairing finishes.
5. Approve the requested permissions. Allow access to notifications, contacts, messages, calls, or photos only if you want those features. Android may require you to enable a notification-access setting in the phone’s Settings app. Read the prompt, open the named setting, and switch access on for the companion app. You can change permissions later in phone Settings.
6. Wait for the connection to finish. The PC app should show your phone as connected. Keep Wi-Fi or mobile data available, and Bluetooth on if calls or the pairing method require it. Some information may take a little time to load.
7. Use a feature from the PC. Choose a section such as Messages, Photos, Calls, or Notifications in the app. For texts, select a conversation or start a new message, enter a recipient, type, and send. For calls, select Calls and follow the prompts to connect over Bluetooth; your PC may need a microphone and speaker or headset. Feature names and availability vary by device.
8. Review privacy and connection settings. In Phone Link, open Settings to control notifications, startup behavior, and connected devices. To stop showing a type of information, turn off its feature or revoke its permission in phone Settings. To unlink, use the app’s device-management or account options and remove the connection from both sides if prompted.

Common Mistakes

• Using different Microsoft accounts: Check the account shown in the PC app and the phone companion app. Sign out and back in with the account you intend to use if they differ.
• Expecting every feature on every phone: Phone Link’s options depend on the operating system, app version, region, and device. An iPhone may not offer the same photo, message, or notification functions as Android.
• Declining permissions and then assuming setup failed: Pairing can succeed while a feature remains unavailable. Enable only the specific permission that feature needs.
• Turning off Bluetooth or background access: Calls and ongoing phone-to-PC connections may stop working when Bluetooth is off or the phone restricts background activity.
• Confusing a phone’s mobile connection with the PC connection: Both devices need a usable network for online functions, but they do not always need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Follow the app’s specific prompt.

Tips

• Keep Windows and the Phone Link and companion apps updated through their normal update settings.
• Use a screen lock on your phone and avoid displaying sensitive notifications on a shared or public PC.
• If you use a work or school PC, check its device and account policies; an administrator may restrict linking or notifications.
• For calls, test audio before an important conversation. Select the correct microphone and speaker in Windows sound settings and keep the phone within Bluetooth range.
• To reduce interruptions, customize which phone notifications appear instead of granting broad access you do not need.

Troubleshooting

• The app cannot find or pair the phone: Confirm both devices have internet access, Bluetooth is on if requested, and the phone is nearby. Close and reopen both apps, then retry pairing. Restarting both devices can clear a temporary connection problem.
• The QR code or pairing code does not work: Make sure you are using the companion app named on the PC screen, not the phone camera unless instructed. Refresh the setup screen to generate a new code, and check that the code shown on both devices matches before confirming.
• Messages, photos, or notifications are missing: Check the relevant permission on the phone, then reopen the companion app. On Android, review notification access and battery or background restrictions for the companion app. Also verify the corresponding feature is enabled in Phone Link settings.
• Calls fail or have no sound: Turn on Bluetooth on both devices, reconnect the phone in the Calls section, and accept any pairing request. Check Windows microphone and output-device selections, then test with the phone close to the PC.
• The phone shows connected but the PC app is stale: Check network access on both devices, update the apps, and sign out and back in only if simpler steps fail. As a last resort, unlink the phone, restart the devices, and complete setup again.
• The app is missing or will not open: Search Start for both “Phone Link” and “Your Phone.” If neither appears, check Microsoft Store availability and Windows updates. Some features or app versions may not be supported by an older Windows 10 installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Your Phone the same as Phone Link?
It is the same general Windows-to-phone linking experience under a newer name. The label shown depends on the app and Windows version.

Can I use Phone Link without a Microsoft account?
Setup generally requires signing in to a Microsoft account. Follow the app’s current prompts to confirm the requirements for your phone.

Does it work with an iPhone?
Some versions support linking an iPhone, but features can be more limited than on Android. Use the iPhone option shown in the PC app to see what your setup supports.

Do both devices have to be on the same Wi-Fi network?
Not always. Internet access is important for many functions, while Bluetooth is needed for certain pairing and calling features. Follow the connection instructions in the app.

Can I remove my phone from Windows?
Yes. Open Phone Link settings or device management and choose to unlink or remove the phone. If prompted, also remove the PC connection from the companion app on your phone.

Is my phone content copied permanently to the PC?
Phone Link displays or relays information for supported features; behavior varies by feature. Review its permissions and avoid enabling access to content you do not want available on that PC.

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