How Windows PC and Android Phone Come Together

How Windows PC and Android Phone Come Together

“Link to Windows” is the smartphone counterpart to the revised and visually adapted to Windows 11 PC program “Smartphone-Link”. Photo: Zacharie Scheurer/dpa-tmn

The user interfaces have been visually moved towards Windows 11. Something has also changed in the range of functions.

But because some functions depend on the Android version of the phone as well as on the phone itself, in case of doubt, it is best to try out what works with your own smartphone. The minimum requirement is Android version 7.

It’s not possible without a Microsoft account

In addition, you have to log in with your Microsoft account on both devices. The devices are paired via a QR code, which ” smartphone link” outputs on the computer and which is scanned with ” Link to Windows” on the smartphone.

No cable is required for the connection, the connection can run via WLAN, for example. If you also want to make phone calls on your computer via smartphone, you also need a Bluetooth connection. All smartphones and many notebooks offer them, but not every desktop PC has Bluetooth on board.

Get the smartphone on the computer

The software duo offers, for example, the possibility of using smartphone functions on the computer without having to pick up the phone. Text messages can be read and answered, push notifications can be displayed, photos and videos can be copied, moved or edited. Telephoning is also possible as described above.

Depending on the smartphone model, special functions are also available. With certain models from Samsung, Honor or Microsoft, entire apps can be mirrored to the PC and used there, files can be moved between the devices via drag-and-drop and the clipboard of the devices can be read out alternately.