Review Snapshot
| Product | Microsoft Phone Link |
| Price | Free |
| Best For | Windows users seeking basic phone-to-PC integration without switching ecosystems. |
| Verdict | A useful but imperfect tool that delivers core cross-device functionality for Android users, while iPhone support remains notably limited. |
What We Liked
- Text messaging and call handling directly from the PC.
- Photo and file transfer between devices.
- Mirroring Android phone notifications on the Windows desktop.
- Instant Hotspot feature for quick internet sharing.
Where It Falls Short
- iPhone functionality is severely restricted compared to Android.
- The setup process, while guided, can be complex for some users.
- Requires extensive permissions on the mobile device, which may give privacy-conscious users pause.
- Lacks the deep, system-level integration of competitor ecosystems like Apple's Continuity.
You're working at your PC and your phone buzzes. Again. You pick it up, tap out a reply, and try to find your place. It's a tiny productivity tax you pay all day. Microsoft's free Phone Link app promises to stop that. It wants to put your phone's notifications, texts, and calls right on your Windows desktop. But here's the thing: it works great if your phone is green, and it's almost useless if it's blue.
What It Actually Does
For Android users, Phone Link nails the basics. You get a tidy window on your PC where you can see your texts, make calls, and browse recent photos. It's not magic, but it's practical. You can drag an MP3 from your phone to your desktop in a couple of clicks. One reviewer on Reddit put it bluntly: "I use this all the time to get mp3s for my YouTube videos." That's the appeal. It turns a common annoyance, reaching for your phone, into a solved problem.
But it's a separate app you have to open. It doesn't feel like a natural part of Windows. Your texts don't live in your taskbar; you have to go to them. So it's functional, not elegant. It gets the job done, but you're always aware you're using a bridge between two different worlds.
Getting Started Is a Chore
You can't just wave your phone at the screen. Setup is a process. You need the Phone Link app on Windows and the "Link to Windows" app on your Android, or the "Phone Link" app on your iPhone. You'll scan a QR code. And then you'll get the ask. The phone app demands a laundry list of permissions: messages, photos, call logs, notifications. Everything. It makes sense, because the PC app can't mirror your texts if it can't read them. But handing over that much access all at once feels invasive, even if the connection itself is encrypted. It's a hurdle you have to be willing to jump.
The Great Platform Divide
This is where the review splits in two. If you use an Android phone with your Windows PC, Phone Link is a no-brainer. You get the full package: messaging, calls, notifications, and a clever Instant Hotspot button that can turn on your phone's hotspot and connect your PC in one go.
Now, for iPhone users. The experience is gutted. Apple's walled garden doesn't let third-party apps like this in. So what do you get? Basically, a notification window. You can see alerts from your iPhone pop up on your PC. You can even reply to iMessages, but it's a clunky web relay that routes through your actual phone. You can't handle regular SMS texts from non-Apple contacts. You can't drag and drop files. It's a pale shadow of the Android version, and it makes the whole exercise feel pointless for iPhone owners.
How It Stacks Up
Phone Link is Microsoft's answer to a problem Apple solved years ago with Continuity on Macs. On a Mac, your iPhone feels like part of the same machine. You can copy on one and paste on the other. You can AirDrop files instantly. Phone Link isn't that. It's a workmanlike tool. It's the difference between a dedicated train line and a bus that runs between two stations. The bus gets you there, but you feel every bump and stop.
Some Android phone makers, like Samsung, have their own "Link" software that sometimes works better with their specific hardware. Phone Link's advantage is that it's built into Windows and works with almost any Android phone. That universality is its real strength.
Microsoft Phone Link Ratings Breakdown
We didn't get star ratings from our sources, but here's the consensus translated into plain terms.
| Category | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Android Functionality | Good. Delivers on core promises of messaging, calls, notifications, and file transfer reliably. |
| iPhone Functionality | Poor. Severely limited by platform restrictions, offering only basic notification mirroring. |
| Ease of Setup | Fair. Guided by QR codes but involves multiple steps and extensive permission grants. |
| Ecosystem Integration | Fair. Functions as a separate app rather than a deeply woven part of Windows, lacking the seamlessness of native solutions. |
| Value | Excellent. As a free tool included with Windows, it provides tangible utility at no cost. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Microsoft Phone Link free?
Yes, Microsoft Phone Link is completely free to use.
Does Phone Link work with iPhones?
Yes, but in a very limited capacity, primarily mirroring notifications and allowing rudimentary iMessage replies through your phone.
What do I need to install on my phone?
You need to install the "Link to Windows" app from the Google Play Store (Android) or the "Phone Link" app from the Apple App Store (iPhone).
Is Phone Link secure?
The connection is encrypted, but the app requires broad permissions to your phone's data (messages, photos, calls) to function, which you must approve.
Final Verdict
The takeaway is simple and stark. If your daily driver is an iPhone, don't waste your time. Phone Link offers you a fancy notification mirror and little else. For Android users, it's different. This free app solves a real, daily problem. It lets you leave your phone charging across the room without missing a beat. The setup is a bit of a privacy gauntlet, and it won't make you forget about Apple's tighter integration. But for the price of zero dollars, it's an easy win that makes your workday just a bit less interrupted.
Sources
- cnet.com
- reddit.com
- facebook.com
- learn.microsoft.com
- microsoft.com
- technologyreview.com