Can I Link My Mobile Phone To My Computer? Sure You Can!
Many business professionals would like to link their Windows-based PCs to their iOS or Android-powered smart devices but have been unable to complete the task. Sure, keeping email synchronized is easy, as is keeping files synchronized between multiple devices. But what about text messages, phone calls, and notifications? Can we synchronize those between our mobile devices and Windows-based PCs? The answer is, of course, “yes.” In this article, you will learn how to use Microsoft’s Phone Link app to accomplish that task.
Why Sync In The First Place?
We will use the example of ubiquitous text messages to illustrate why synching might be a helpful solution for you. If you are like me, you receive many (often, too many!) emails and text messages every day. Assuming you’re using an email service that syncs your data to all your devices – such as Exchange Online or Gmail – you can easily access your email from almost any device. Similarly, if you use a Cloud-based storage platform – such as OneDrive or Google Workspace – you can easily access your files, regardless of your device.
In the same fashion, you might want to be able to easily access text messages, phone calls, and notifications from your Windows-based PC. Among other benefits, doing so would free you from referencing your mobile device whenever you needed to reply to a text message. Further, because you would be typing the message using a full-sized keyboard, you would generate your response faster and with fewer errors. Moreover, you could use your computer to send and receive phone calls if you choose to do so. In sum, synching can make it easier to get your job done, particularly if you have been juggling multiple devices.
Introducing Phone Link
Microsoft’s Phone Link app (initially introduced in 2018 as Your Phone) is the tool that allows you to synchronize between your mobile device and an iPhone or an Android-powered device. Note, however, that if you run an Android-powered device, the app goes by a different name – Link to Windows. Whether you use the app to synchronize a Windows-powered or Android-powered device, the functionality is quite similar.
With Phone Link/Link to Windows installed and configured correctly, you can view notifications on your computer received on your mobile device. Additionally, you can receive and reply to text messages on your mobile device and initiate new messages directly from your computer.
Installing Microsoft's Phone Link App
If you are a Windows user, you can download Phone Link free of charge from the Microsoft store by clicking here. And if you’re an Android user, you can download the app from Google Play free of charge by clicking here.
Upon installing the app, use the following instructions provided by Microsoft to configure the tool for use on your device.
- In the search box on the taskbar, type Phone Link, then select the Phone Link from the results.
- You may be asked to sign in to your Microsoft account if you haven’t already signed in with Windows.
- Install or open the Link to Windows mobile app on your Android device. To do this, open a web browser on your Android device and enter the link on your PC (aka.ms/yourpc).
- Sign into the mobile app with the same Microsoft account that you signed in to on your PC.
- Once you have signed in, return to your PC, select the I have the Link to Windowsapp ready check box, and then select Pair with QR code.
Note: If you want to pair your device without using a QR code, select Pair manually on your PC instead. The system will prompt you to enter a code on your Android device.
- A popup window with a QR code will appear on your PC screen.
- In the mobile app on your Android device, select Link your phone and PC. When the app asks Is the QR code on your PC ready?select Continue.
- You will be asked permission for the app to access your camera. After accepting, an in-app camera will open. Use this camera to scan the QR code displayed on your PC.
- After scanning the QR code, you may be asked for additional Android permissions. These permissions allow you to access content from your phone on your PC.
- Follow the prompts on your Android device and then select Done. Then, return to your PC to explore your synchronization capabilities.
There Are Some Limitations
My experience so far with Phone Link has been quite good. However, there are some limitations you should understand. The two most significant are those listed below.
- Phone Link does not allow you to participate in group messaging.
- You cannot incorporate media (pictures and videos) in messages sent or received through Phone Link. However, this is a limitation only on the Windows app.
Otherwise, most users will see few restrictions or limitations when using the tool.
Summary
Phone Link (for Windows) and Link to Windows (for Android)
are two easy-to-acquire and use tools that help to simplify communications.
Using these apps allows users to create a simpler and more unified
communication platform by enabling them to see and respond to content sent
through multiple communication channels. You should consider adding this
synchronization platform to your tech stack to regain simplicity and control
over your communications.
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