The way an iPhone and a Mac computer integrate and work seamlessly with each other is something that Android users can only wish for. While Google has tried to bridge this gap in recent years, flagship Android phones like theGoogle Pixel 7 Prodon’t offer the same level of ecosystem integration as the iPhone. Microsoft tries to bridge this gap with Phone Link. It lets you connect your Android phone to Windows and mirror most of its functionality to your PC, like the ability to reply to incoming messages, wirelessly transfer files, and more.

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Released in 2018, Phone Link connects your Android device to a Windows PC over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. This allows the feature to mirror a bunch of your phone’s functionality to your PC. Here’s what you can do with Phone Line:

Many Phone Link features, like app mirroring, instant hotspot, and cross-device copy and paste, are limited to Samsung and Honor phones. Besides thebest Android phones, Phone Link also works with the iPhone.

Samsung Notes logo in front of image containing S Pen and devices using Samsung Notes

To use Phone Link, you must have a Microsoft account. Additionally, your Windows PC or laptop and phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network for the integration to work. Bluetooth is also required for certain features to work.

If Phone Link isn’t installed on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, install it from the Microsoft Store.

With the Phone Link app installed on your PC, download and set up the Link to Windows app on your Android phone. This companion app acts as a link between your phone and a Windows PC. Link to Windows comes preinstalled on thebest Samsung phonesand is available as a free download on other compatible devices from the Play Store.

Google Home icon with some gadgets around it.

If you use ChomeOS or a Chromebook, usePhone Hub to connect your Android phoneto your laptop.

Before Phone Link can mirror your phone’s notifications to your PC, the Link to Windows app must be granted the required permission on your phone.

you may reply to, pin, or dismiss notifications on your phone directly from Phone Link.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, with one device standing and another partially folded, set against a red and beige background

Phone Link lets you toggle DND or silent mode on your phone. On your PC, expand the left sidebar on Phone Link by clicking the arrow at the top. You’ll see the buttons to toggleDo Not DisturbandSilentmodes, with the thirdSoundbutton letting you mute the media volume.

Want to turn on DND on your phone, but the phone’s too far from reach? Click theDNDbutton to activate your device’s Do Not Disturb mode. Click theSoundbutton to cycle through Vibrate and DND modes. You can use the audio player to play/pause and skip the current track.

A smartphone showing the Link to Windows app on the screen with an image of a call log in the background

How to send and receive calls or text messages from your phone using Phone Link

With Phone Link, you can use your phone to make calls or send text messages from your Windows PC.

Similarly, go to the Calls tab to make phone calls using Phone Link. From here, you can make calls, put an existing call on hold, and more. But this feature requires your phone to be connected via Bluetooth to your PC. Plus, ensure you have agreat pair of wireless earphonesso that the other party can hear you clearly on the call.

If you own a Samsung phone, you can mirror its screen to your Windows PC through Phone Link. Ensure your phone is connected to Phone Link before following the below steps:

Your phone also remains functional when screen mirroring is activated. File sharing is also supported in screen sharing. So, you can drag and drop files from your Windows PC to your phone to wirelessly transfer them.

Samsung phones support cross-device copy-and-paste support in Phone Link. The feature is turned off by default. To activate it, go toPhone Link Settings>Featuresand turn on theCross-device copy and pastetoggle. Now, any content you copy on your Windows PC is available to paste on your Galaxy phone and vice versa.

With Phone Link, the last 2,000 photos and screenshots on your phone can be viewed on your Windows PC. Even better, you can wirelessly download these photos on your PC in just a few clicks.

While not as good as the iPhone-Mac integration, Phone Link comes close to making your Android phone work seamlessly with your Windows PC. The experience is even better if you own a compatible Samsung or Honor phone that supports more features. It helps manage all your notifications without constantly checking your phone. Once you are done setting up Phone Link, considersetting up Windows Subsystem for Android on your Windows 11 PCto run Android apps.

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