What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Neither is a universal winner. Phone Link is the stronger fit if you want to handle calls and messages on a Windows PC or use eligible Android apps and file-transfer features. Chromebook Phone Hub is a better match for quick phone controls, recent photos, and Chrome-tab access—plus app streaming on a short list of phones. The exact phone model, computer, and features you need matter more than the headline comparison.
What each system lets you do
Windows pairs Phone Link on the PC with Link to Windows on the Android phone. Google’s Chromebook integration is called Phone Hub and is configured through ChromeOS Connected devices. Both can bring selected phone information onto a computer, but their documented feature sets differ.
Phone Link on Windows 11
Microsoft documents features for viewing and replying to text messages, making and receiving calls, managing phone notifications, and viewing recent photos. On supported devices, Phone Link can also show or use mobile apps. Microsoft separately documents cross-device copy and paste and file drag-and-drop, but these transfer functions have their own compatible-device restrictions.
That does not mean every Android phone gets every feature. Basic pairing and the more selective app and transfer experiences have different compatibility limits. Check Microsoft’s supported-device list for the particular feature you want.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Phone Hub on Chromebook
Phone Hub can show a phone’s signal and battery status, provide quick controls to enable its hotspot, silence it, or locate it, and display notifications. It also offers access to recent photos and screenshots, including downloading them, and lets you browse Chrome tabs from the phone. App streaming is available only on select Android phones.
Google describes Phone Hub as a way to use features on your phone from the Chromebook screen. Its Phone Hub documentation lists the features and supported phones.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Which one is better for what you want to do?
| Need | Better fit | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Make and receive calls or read and reply to messages on the computer | Phone Link | Microsoft lists these among Phone Link’s features. The setup and experience still depend on compatible devices and permissions. |
| See phone notifications and recent photos | Either | Both document notification and recent-photo features; the available details and supported experiences differ. |
| Browse phone Chrome tabs on the computer | Phone Hub | Google lists phone-tab access as a Phone Hub feature. |
| Use quick phone controls or check phone status | Phone Hub | Google documents phone signal and battery status, plus controls for hotspot, silence, and locating the phone. |
| Use Android apps from the computer | Depends on the phone | Both offer app-related experiences only on selected devices. Phone Hub app streaming has a particularly short model list. |
| Move files or copy and paste between phone and computer | Phone Link, if eligible | Microsoft documents cross-device copy and paste and file drag-and-drop, but these have separate device restrictions. |
These are feature and compatibility distinctions, not a speed or reliability ranking: the available documentation does not establish that one system is faster or more reliable than the other.
Check compatibility before choosing
Windows 11 and Phone Link
Microsoft’s documented baseline includes a Windows 11 PC, an Android phone running Android 10 or later, and both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Phone Link also works with PCs running Windows 10 with the October 2022 update or later. Microsoft lists selected Android, Samsung, HONOR, OPPO, ASUS, and vivo devices, but the brand name alone does not guarantee every feature.
Rank #3
- 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.
Phone screen is supported on Android devices in select markets. The Apps experience is limited to selected Samsung, HONOR, OPPO, and ASUS devices in select markets, and multiple-app eligibility depends on the Android version and device. See Microsoft’s requirements and setup page and supported-device details before relying on app mirroring or transfer features.
Chromebook and Phone Hub
Google’s documented connection requirements are ChromeOS version 71 or later, Android version 6 or later, and the same Google Account on the Chromebook and phone. A work- or school-managed Chromebook may have phone features disabled by its administrator. Google’s connection instructions explain the account and setup requirements.
Rank #4
- 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
Those baseline requirements do not make every Phone Hub feature available on every phone. In particular, app streaming is restricted to listed models.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →App streaming has the tightest restrictions
Phone Hub streaming requirements
Google lists these Android phones for Phone Hub app streaming:
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
- Pixel 4A or later, running Android 13 or later.
- Nothing Phone (1) and Phone (2).
- Select Xiaomi models: 12T, 12T Pro, 13, and 13 Pro, running Android 13 or later.
The Chromebook and phone must be close to each other and on the same Wi-Fi network. Some networks may not work. Google says Instant Tethering can help establish a local network if the current network does not support streaming, but it is not a guarantee for every network. DRM policies in some entertainment apps may also cause unexpected streaming behavior. These constraints make app streaming a model- and network-dependent bonus, not a safe assumption when choosing a Chromebook.
Phone Link app experiences
Phone Link’s general feature list should not be read as a promise that Android apps will appear on any paired phone. Microsoft limits the Apps experience to selected phone models and markets, and eligibility for multiple apps depends on the phone and Android version. Confirm support for your exact model rather than relying on its manufacturer alone.
Setup, accounts, and managed devices
Pairing Phone Link
- Open Phone Link on the Windows PC and Link to Windows on the Android phone.
- Sign in with a Microsoft account and pair the devices using the QR code or manual code shown during setup.
- Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network and grant the requested permissions for the features you want.
For notification forwarding and related cross-device features, Android 13 requires notification permission. Microsoft says Phone Link does not currently support multiple Android profiles or work/school accounts.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Connecting a Chromebook
- Sign in to the Chromebook and Android phone with the same Google Account.
- On the Chromebook, open Settings > Connected devices, then follow the connection flow for the Android phone.
- Review the options available for Phone Hub and enable the features you want to use.
If a Chromebook belongs to a school or workplace, its administrator may restrict these features. Check with the administrator if the phone connection or a particular option is unavailable.
How to choose between them
- Choose Phone Link if you already use a Windows PC and want calls, messages, notifications, and photos in its documented workflow—or your exact phone supports the app or file-transfer feature you need.
- Choose Phone Hub if ChromeOS and Google services suit your work, and you mainly want phone status, quick controls, Chrome-tab access, or recent photos. Treat app streaming as a bonus only after confirming your model and network.
- If you are buying a computer, choose for the computer first. Start with the operating system and software your work requires, then verify that your exact Android phone supports the integration features you care about.
Compatibility lists, markets, and feature availability can change, so check the linked Microsoft and Google support pages for current details before making a purchase or depending on a specific feature.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
