Android to Windows 11: Choose Notifications & Files

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to control which Android notifications and files appear on your Windows 11 PC using the built-in Phone Link (formerly Your Phone) app. You’ll learn how to filter notifications, manage file access, and avoid common pitfalls. No additional software is needed beyond the Phone Link app and the Link to Windows app on your Android device.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 11 PC with the Phone Link app (pre-installed, but update it via Microsoft Store if needed).
An Android phone with the Link to Windows app installed (download from Google Play if not present).
Both devices signed into the same Microsoft account.
Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth enabled on both devices (Bluetooth is required for some features).
Phone and PC close to each other for the initial setup.

Step-by-Step

Set up Phone Link – Open the Phone Link app on your PC (search “Phone Link” in the Start menu). Click Get started and follow the prompts. On your Android phone, open the Link to Windows app, scan the QR code shown on your PC, and sign in with the same Microsoft account.
Grant permissions – When prompted, allow Phone Link to access your phone’s notifications, contacts, calls, and photos. Without these permissions, you won’t be able to manage notifications or files.
Choose which notifications sync – In Phone Link, go to Settings (gear icon) → Notifications. Toggle Notifications on. Below that, you’ll see a list of apps. Toggle off any app whose notifications you don’t want to see on your PC. You can also turn off Show notification banners to stop pop‑ups while still seeing them in the notification center.
Control file access – For photos, go to Settings → Photos. Toggle Show photos from my phone on or off. For other files (documents, downloads), Phone Link does not expose them directly; you use the Files section in Phone Link to browse and transfer files from your phone’s storage. To limit which folders are visible, you must manage permissions on your phone: in the Link to Windows app, go to Settings → Files and choose which folders (e.g., Downloads, Documents) are accessible.
Pause syncing temporarily – If you need a quick break, click the Pause icon in Phone Link (top right) to stop all syncing. You can resume anytime.
Remove a paired phone – To completely stop sharing, go to Settings → My Devices, select your phone, and click Remove. This deletes the link and stops all data transfer.

Common Mistakes

Not updating the apps – Old versions of Phone Link or Link to Windows often lack the granular notification toggles. Always update both apps first.
Turning off all notifications – Some users toggle the master switch, which disables everything. Instead, use the per‑app toggles to keep important ones.
Ignoring battery optimization – On Android, battery saver may kill Link to Windows in the background, causing sync to stop. Whitelist the app in your phone’s battery settings.
Assuming file access is two‑way – Phone Link allows you to view and transfer photos and some files from phone to PC, but you cannot directly drag files from PC to phone’s internal storage (except via the “Add” button in Files).
Forgetting to grant notification access – On Android, you must explicitly allow Link to Windows to read notifications. If you denied it during setup, go to Android Settings → Apps → Link to Windows → Notifications → Allow notification access.

Tips

Use “Mirror notifications” wisely – You can choose to mirror notifications for messaging apps only, reducing clutter.
Set up “Focus” on Windows – Use Windows 11’s Focus feature to automatically suppress notifications during work hours; Phone Link respects this.
Manage photo storage – If you enable photo syncing, you can choose to save new photos to your PC automatically. This can fill your hard drive, so set a specific folder and clean it regularly.
Use the “Files” tab for quick transfers – Instead of emailing files to yourself, use Phone Link’s Files section to drag and drop documents from your phone to your PC over Wi‑Fi.
Check Bluetooth for calls – If you want to make/receive calls, ensure Bluetooth is on and the phone is paired with your PC. This is separate from notification syncing.

Troubleshooting

Notifications aren’t appearing – First, check that the master toggle is on in Phone Link. Then verify on your Android phone that Link to Windows has notification access (Settings → Apps → Link to Windows → Notifications → Allow). If it’s still not working, unpair and re‑pair the devices.

Files won’t transfer – Make sure both devices are on the same Wi‑Fi network. In Link to Windows, go to Settings → Files and confirm the folders you want are enabled. If the transfer stalls, try turning off Bluetooth and using Wi‑Fi only, or vice versa.

Phone Link says “Connection lost” – This often happens when the phone locks or the app is closed. Disable battery optimization for Link to Windows (Android Settings → Battery → Background restriction → Unrestricted). Also, keep the phone’s screen on during transfers.

Notifications show but no content – Some apps (like WhatsApp) hide message content by default. On your phone, open the app’s settings and enable “Show content in notifications” if you want to see text on your PC.

Syncing is slow or laggy – Close any heavy apps on your PC and phone. Restart both devices, and ensure your router doesn’t block peer‑to‑peer connections. If using a VPN, try disabling it temporarily.

Can’t see the Files tab – The Files tab appears only when your phone is connected and has granted storage permission. On Android, go to Link to Windows → Settings → Files and toggle on “Access files”. If it’s still missing, update the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I block notifications from specific apps only?
A: Yes. In Phone Link → Settings → Notifications, you’ll see a list of apps. Toggle off any app you don’t want to receive notifications from on your PC.

Q: Does Phone Link transfer all my files automatically?
A: No. Only photos (if you enable that) and files you manually access via the Files tab are transferred. Other files remain on your phone unless you explicitly move them.

Q: Can I use Phone Link with an iPhone?
A: No. Phone Link is designed for Android. iPhone users have limited functionality (like iMessage integration) but not the same notification and file control.

Q: Will my phone’s notifications still appear on the phone itself?
A: Yes. Phone Link only mirrors them to your PC; it doesn’t remove them from your phone.

Q: How do I stop syncing completely?
A: Go to Phone Link → Settings → My Devices → Remove your phone. This disconnects the link and stops all data transfer.

Q: Is my data secure?
A: Microsoft uses an encrypted connection between your phone and PC. However, anyone with access to your PC can see your notifications, so lock your PC when away.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.