Pair your Galaxy phone’s Link to Windows feature with Microsoft’s Phone Link app on a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. This gives you access to supported phone features and recent Gallery photos from Windows, so you can view, copy, save, or share photos without repeatedly transferring them by hand. It does not mean every phone folder continuously syncs to the PC.
What you can do after connecting your Galaxy to Windows
Samsung’s Phone Link guidance describes more than photo access. Depending on your phone, software, region, and app versions, the linked experience can include notifications, messages, calls, recent apps, screen mirroring, and sharing website links. Samsung also describes access to recent files. These are supported features—not a promise of unrestricted access to every file or folder on the phone. Samsung’s Link to Windows support page lists the available functions and notes that the experience varies.
Recent Gallery photos
Samsung says recent photos from the phone’s Gallery can appear in Phone Link. From the PC, you can view, open, copy, save, share, or delete those photos. If a particular image is not available there, Phone Link should not be treated as a complete mirror of the phone’s photo library.
Notifications, messages, calls, and apps
Phone Link can also surface supported phone activity on the PC, including notifications, calls, and messages. Samsung lists app access and screen mirroring among the possible features. What appears in your Phone Link window depends on device and software support; feature availability is not identical across all Galaxy models.
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- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
How to pair a Galaxy phone with a Windows PC
- Prepare Windows. Update Windows and install or update Phone Link. Samsung recommends current Windows and Phone Link versions, and its guidance calls for a Microsoft account. Samsung’s Phone Link setup instructions cover Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Open Link to Windows on the phone. On the Galaxy, go to Settings > Connected devices > Link to Windows. Newer Galaxy phones may include it already; Samsung says it can also be downloaded from the Play Store if it is not integrated. Menu names can differ by model and software version.
- Start Android setup in Phone Link. Open Phone Link on the PC and choose the Android device option. Follow the pairing prompts, including scanning the QR code when prompted.
- Approve the requested permissions. Confirm the permissions needed for the features you want to use. Phone features such as notifications or photos may not work as expected if their requested access is denied.
- Use the supported sections in Phone Link. Once pairing is complete, open the relevant section for photos, notifications, messages, calls, or other available features. Samsung says the phone and PC typically need to be on the same network; Link to Windows settings can allow mobile-data use.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip6 user guide also describes Link to Windows setup and account requirements. Its instructions are for that guide’s device and software context, so use the menus and prompts shown on your own phone if they differ.
When to use Phone Link and when to use OneDrive
Phone Link connects supported phone functions to the PC. OneDrive is a separate cloud-storage route for files you have chosen and configured to synchronize. Samsung identifies OneDrive, Microsoft 365, and Samsung Gallery as services available in its broader phone-PC experience, but that does not establish that every Galaxy folder automatically uploads to OneDrive. Samsung’s overview references these services without specifying universal folder synchronization.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
| Route | Best suited to | Check before relying on it |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Link + Link to Windows | Using supported phone features and accessing recent Gallery content from Windows | Whether your device and software support the features you need, and the network and account setup |
| OneDrive | Making selected files available through cloud storage | Which files are configured to sync, along with your account and storage needs |
The two routes address different needs and are not interchangeable in every situation. Choose Phone Link for supported phone-PC interactions; use a configured cloud workflow when you need selected files available across devices. The Samsung guidance cited here does not give a complete performance or feature-by-feature comparison.
Quick Recap
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
What to check if pairing or access does not work
- The Link to Windows menu is missing: Samsung says the feature may be built into newer Galaxy phones or available from the Play Store. Menu placement and availability can vary by model and software version.
- A feature is absent in Phone Link: Samsung says features and settings vary by device, software version, region, and app version. Check the feature list for your model rather than assuming every Galaxy supports every option.
- The phone will not connect or stay connected: Check that both devices are on the same network, which Samsung says is typically required. Review Link to Windows settings if you intend to use mobile data.
- You cannot see all your photos or files: Phone Link provides access to supported content, including recent Gallery photos; it is not documented as continuous synchronization of every folder. For files you need across devices, check the actual sync configuration of your cloud-storage service.
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