Windows 11 introduces several exciting features, and one of the most convenient additions is the Phone Link app. This application allows seamless integration between your Windows 11 PC and your smartphone, making it easier to access messages, notifications, and photos directly from your computer. You can check out our guide on how to use Phone Link with Android and Apple’s iPhone iMessage.
However, like any software, the Phone Link app can encounter issues that may prevent it from working correctly. In this blog, we’ll explore some effective solutions to address the common problems associated with the Phone Link app not working in Windows 11.
Ways to Fix Phone Link App Not Working in Windows 11
There are various ways to fix the Phone Link app not working in Windows 11. Check the connection, enable features, update the apps, and more. Let’s discuss them one by one.
1. Check your Connection
In order to use the Phone Link app, you need to enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections on both devices for smoother operation. To check where your phone is connected to the Phone Link app, follow the steps below:
1. Turn ON Bluetooth and connect to the same Wi-Fi network on your smartphone.
2. Now, check the same on your Windows 11 PC to see if you have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on or not. For that, click on the Quick Settings panel and turn them ON.
3. Once you have confirmed that you are connected, open the Phone Link app and check the connection.
If it shows as connected, then you are ready to use it without any errors. This should fix the Phone Link app not working in Windows 11 if the issue is due to connection issues.
2. Enable Phone Link Features
If your phone is connected to the Phone Link app, but you are not able to use all the features, it is possible that some features are not enabled. You can easily enable them by following the below steps:
1. Open the Phone Link app.
2. Click on the Gear Icon to access the settings of the Phone Link app. Then, click on the Features option to enable them.
3. From here, you can enable all the features for messages, notifications, and calls.
After this, check to see if you can use those features as intended in the Phone Link app. If you are still facing issues, check app permissions for the Link to Windows app on your phone.
3. Check the Link to Windows App Permissions
If the Phone Link app is not working on Windows 11, it might be due to improper setup of the companion app on your Android phone. To resolve this, ensure that the Link to Windows app on your phone has all the necessary permissions.
To allow the required permissions, follow the steps below:
1. Open your phone.
2. Now, long-press the Link to Windows app until you get the option to access the App Info. After that, tap on the option.
3. After that, tap on the Permissions option, and on the next screen, you will see a list of app permissions required for the Phone Link app to function properly.
4. For instance, if I want to give call access, I will tap on the Call Logs option, and on the next screen, I will click on the Allow option. This will grant call access to the Phone Link app.
5. Similarly, you can allow other app permissions.
After you have allowed all the permissions, check whether the Phone Link app is working or not. If you still continue to face the same issues, follow the guide until the end.
4. Allow to Run in Background
Phone Link cannot operate fully when it’s not allowed to run in the background. Therefore, ensure that you have granted background app permissions set to “always” for Phone Link.
Here’s how you can set the app to always run in the background via Settings:
1. Press Win + X to access the power menu.
2. Next, click on the Settings option to open the Windows settings.
3. It will open up the Windows settings. Here, go to Apps > Installed Apps to change the background permission of the Phone Link App.
4. Here, on the search bar, search for Phone Link, and click on the three-dot icon. Then, click on Advanced Options from the menu that appears.
5. Now, on the background apps permission, select the Always option from the drop-down menu.
This should fix the issue you are having with any type of background permission-related problems on the Phone Link app.
5. Disable Battery Saver
Windows 11 laptop comes with a battery saver mode that limits background app activity when enabled. However, this feature can hinder the functioning of the Phone Link in the background. To potentially resolve the Phone Link not working for some users, you can try disabling the battery-saver mode.
Follow these steps to disable the battery saver on Windows 11:
1. You will get the battery-saver icon on the Windows taskbar. Right-click on it and select Power and Sleep Settings.
2. It will open the power and battery settings. Here, under the battery saver option, click on the Turn off now button to disable it.
Note
By default, the battery saver is turned on automatically at 20%. So, make sure that you are not using the Phone Link app below 20% or recharge your laptop.
6. Enable Data Sharing Across Linked Devices
Sometimes, if the data sharing for linked devices is not set up properly, the Phone Link app may not work correctly in Windows 11. Data sharing is crucial for the Phone Link app.
To enable it, follow the steps below:
1. Open Windows settings by pressing Win + I.
2. It will open up the settings. Go to Apps > Advanced App Settings option.
3. Here, click Share across devices to view those settings and select the My Devices Only option to allow data sharing across linked devices.
Note
To use this feature, your Windows PC and your Link to Windows app must be signed in with the same Microsoft account.
7. Reset and Repair the Phone Link
If nothing works, you can reset and repair the Phone Link app on Windows 11. Here’s how you can reset and repair the Phone Link application:
1. On the search bar in the taskbar, type Phone Link, and select the App settings option.
2. Scroll down to the Reset section and click the Repair button to fix any corrupted files related to the Phone Link app. This will not affect any of your app’s data.
3. Similarly, you can do the reset. For that, click on the Reset button. This will delete all the app data and reset the app to its default state.
8. Update the Phone Link App
By following all the above-mentioned methods, if you are not able to fix the Phone Link app not working issues in Windows 11, then there is a high chance that you are using an outdated version of the Phone Link app, which is not compatible with the current Windows operating system.
You can try updating the Phone Link app to the latest version using the Microsoft Store. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Open the Microsoft Store app from the taskbar.
2. On the search bar, search for the Phone Link app. Here, you will get different results. Click on the Phone Link option.
3. If there is a new update, click on the Update button to install the latest version of the application.
9. Unlink and Link your Phone Again
Once you have updated the app, you can try unlinking and linking your phone with the Phone Link app again. This should fix the issue. To do so, follow the steps below:
1. Open the Phone Link app. For that, search for the app on the Windows search bar and open it.
2. Click on the Gear Icon to access the settings of the Phone Link app.
3. It will open the settings of the Phone Link app.
4. Here, click on the My Devices tab, click the three-dot menu icon next to your phone, and select the Remove button.
Now, restart the app. After restarting the app, follow the on-screen instructions to pair your device with a Windows PC. Once you complete the pairing process, the app should work fine.
Conclusion
The Phone Link app in Windows 11 is a valuable tool for integrating your PC and smartphone for a more seamless computing experience. However, technical issues may arise from time to time. By following, the methods outlined in this guide, you can troubleshoot and resolve the Phone Link app not working in Windows 11.
Remember to keep your operating systems and applications up to date, check for compatibility, and ensure that necessary settings and permissions are enabled. With these steps, you’ll likely enjoy uninterrupted communication and easy access to your smartphone’s features from your Windows 11 PC.
