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Phone Link can show different phone data on a Windows PC depending on whether you use Android or iPhone, which features you enable, and what your device supports. You can control access in Phone Link on the PC, in phone settings, and—in some Windows 11 cases—in a separate Mobile devices settings page. Messages may include sensitive two-factor authentication texts, so review these controls before linking a phone to a shared computer.
What Phone Link can access
Phone Link does not automatically expose every phone feature to every PC. Access depends on your phone platform, its operating system and model, available features, and the permissions you grant. Microsoft documents these general differences in its Phone Link requirements and setup information.
| Feature or data | What may be available | Platform notes |
|---|---|---|
| Messages | View messages and, where supported, send or receive them. Android setup can also enable sending, receiving, or automatically downloading MMS attachments. | On iPhone, Show Notifications and Sync Contacts settings affect message access. |
| Photos and media | Phone Link Photos can show phone photos. Microsoft says access may include mobile-device folders and richer media such as video and audio. | Windows 11 also has a separate File Explorer connection for Android phone files, photos, and media. |
| Notifications | Phone notifications can appear on the PC; Android notification access can also support cross-device notification features. | iPhone notification sharing is managed through Bluetooth settings for the paired PC. |
| Calls and call history | Make and receive calls. Phone Link displays calls made or received in the last 90 days. | Android calling requires permissions. On iPhone, Sync Contacts affects access to Call History. |
| Additional features | Depending on Android device support, features may include apps, an audio player, instant hotspot, cross-device copy and paste, wallpaper, or syncing over mobile data. | Windows 11 Mobile devices settings separately include connected-camera use and new-photo notifications. |
| Location | An optional Android Link to Windows location permission may provide phone location information for Windows experiences such as local search results, time-zone adjustment, and weather. | Availability and behavior can vary; review the permission on your phone. |
What message and file access means for privacy
Messages can include authentication codes
Microsoft warns that when message permission is granted, sensitive data such as two-factor authentication SMS can be visible in Phone Link. Avoid enabling message access on a PC account that other people can use, or disable Messages if you do not need it.
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Files accessed through the Windows 11 File Explorer mobile-device connection are online-only. Deleting one from File Explorer permanently deletes it from the phone. If you want to keep a copy, copy the file to the PC before deleting it.
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How to manage Phone Link access
There are two main permission layers: feature controls in Phone Link on Windows and operating-system permissions on the phone. Windows 11 also provides separate Mobile devices controls for some Android integrations.
Turn Phone Link features on or off in Windows
- Open Phone Link on the PC.
- Open Settings > Features.
- Switch the relevant feature—such as Notifications, Messages, Calls, or Photos—on or off.
Microsoft says disabling a feature stops syncing its related content until you enable it again.
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Review Android permissions
- On the phone, open Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Permissions. Android menu labels can differ by manufacturer and version.
- Review the permissions shown, including any location or other feature access you do not want to allow.
- To manage notification access, use the Link to Windows app settings or the relevant Android notification-access settings. Notification permission may be granted during pairing or later; Android 13 introduced a runtime notification permission.
Manage iPhone notification and contact sharing
- On the iPhone, open Settings > Bluetooth.
- Tap the information button next to the paired PC.
- Review Show Notifications and Sync Contacts, and turn off sharing you do not want.
These settings affect which Phone Link features are available, including access to messages and call history.
Review Windows 11 Mobile devices settings separately
- On the PC, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices > Manage devices.
- Review the available controls for File Explorer access, using the phone as a connected camera, and new-photo notifications.
- Turn off any integration you do not want to use.
These Windows controls are separate from the Phone Link Settings > Features page. Options vary by device and Windows setup.
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How to unlink a phone
If you no longer want Phone Link access, remove the phone from the PC and follow Microsoft’s removal guidance for the phone-side Link to Windows connection. Microsoft notes that the phone may need to be removed in more than one place; removing it once does not necessarily clear every pairing or connection. After removal, Phone Link calls, texts, and notifications are unavailable.
See Microsoft’s instructions for unlinking a phone from a PC for the current removal steps.
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Protect Phone Link data on a shared PC
Microsoft strongly recommends separate Microsoft accounts for each PC user to protect pictures, messages, and other personal data. Phone permissions are only part of the privacy boundary: anyone who can use the Windows account where Phone Link is connected may be able to see the information available there.
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Microsoft’s general setup guidance lists Android 10 or later and Windows 10 with the October 2022 update or later, or Windows 11. For iPhone, it lists iOS 16 or later and Windows 10 with the May 2019 update or later, or Windows 11; the PC also needs Bluetooth Low Energy support. Individual features can have narrower device or market support, so check Microsoft’s current requirements and setup page and the available settings on your particular devices.
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