Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
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You normally need your smartphone to make phone calls, view text messages, and access your photos. But wouldn't it be convenient if you could do all those things and more on your Windows PC? Well, you can.
By pairing and syncing your Android phone with your Windows computer, you essentially unite the two. Your PC can then handle certain features and tasks from your phone -- a handy option if you're in front of your computer but your phone is out of reach.
Also: I changed 12 settings on my Android phone to extend its battery life by several hours
With your phone and PC paired through Microsoft's Phone Link app, you can use Windows to make and answer phone calls, read and respond to text messages, view photos on your phone, and receive notifications.
How to use Microsoft's Phone Link
Linking and syncing your Android phone with Microsoft's Phone Link works similarly in Windows 10 and 11, though there are some differences. Here, I'll cover the process specifically for Windows 11.
1. Check that the Phone Link app is installed If you're running a relatively recent version of Windows 11, the Phone Link app should already be on your PC. To confirm, go to the Start menu and check the Apps section to see if it appears. If not, download and install it from the Microsoft Store. Also: Your Android phone's most critical security feature is turned off by default - how to enable it ASAP Next, click the shortcut for Phone Link. At the starting screen, select the button for Android. Show more
Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET
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