Phone Link stops working when your phone and computer lose their wireless connection
Phone Link is Microsoft's tool that connects your Android phone to your Windows computer. It lets you see your phone's texts, calls, photos, and notifications on your desktop without picking up your phone. When it stops working, the problem is almost always that your phone and computer have lost their wireless connection to each other — either they disconnected from the same Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth turned off, or the app crashed.
The fix depends on what broke. Most of the time, restarting both devices and turning Bluetooth back on solves it. If that doesn't work, you may need to unpair the devices and set them up again. This takes about five minutes and doesn't erase anything on either device.
Key Takeaways
- Phone Link needs Bluetooth turned on and both devices on the same Wi-Fi network to work — if either is off, the connection drops.
- Restart your phone first, then restart your computer, then check that Bluetooth is on in both places.
- If restarting doesn't work, go to Phone Link settings on your computer and unpair the devices, then pair them again from scratch.
- Phone Link only works with Android phones and Windows computers — if you have an iPhone, this tool will not work for you.
Check that Bluetooth is on in both places
Phone Link needs Bluetooth to talk to your phone. If Bluetooth is off on either your computer or your phone, the connection breaks. On your Android phone, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the quick settings panel. Look for the Bluetooth icon — it looks like a sideways triangle made of dots. If it is greyed out, tap it to turn it on.
On your Windows computer, click the Start button, then Settings, then Bluetooth & devices. You should see a toggle that says "Bluetooth" with a switch next to it. If the switch is off (greyed out or pointing left), click it to turn Bluetooth on. Wait 10 seconds, then check Phone Link again.
Restart both devices in the right order
A restart clears out temporary glitches that make apps stop talking to each other. Restart your phone first: hold down the power button until you see "Power off" on the screen, then tap it. Wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again until the phone turns back on. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds.
Once your phone is fully back on, restart your computer. Click the Start button, then the power icon, then "Restart". Let your computer fully shut down and turn back on — this takes a few minutes. Once both devices are back on and you are logged in, open Phone Link on your computer and see if it reconnects.
Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network
Phone Link works best when your phone and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network. If your phone is on your home Wi-Fi but your computer is on a guest network, or if one device is on Wi-Fi and the other is using mobile data, they cannot see each other.
On your Android phone, go to Settings, then Wi-Fi, and check which network you are connected to. On your Windows computer, click the network icon in the bottom right corner of the screen and look at which Wi-Fi network is connected. They should be the same. If they are not, disconnect from the wrong network and connect to the right one, then wait 30 seconds for Phone Link to reconnect.
Unpair and re-pair the devices if restarting did not work
If restarting both devices and checking Bluetooth did not fix it, the pairing between your phone and computer may have gotten corrupted. Unpairing them and setting them up again usually solves this. On your Windows computer, open Phone Link and click the Settings icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Scroll down and look for "Unpair this device" or "Remove this phone". Click it and confirm.
Once you have unpaired them, go back to the Phone Link home screen. You should see a button that says "Add your phone" or "get your free guide". Click it and follow the steps: you will scan a QR code with your Android phone, sign in with your Microsoft account, and give Phone Link permission to access your phone's contacts and messages. This takes about three minutes. Once it is done, your phone and computer should be connected again.
Check that Phone Link has the right permissions on your phone
Phone Link needs permission to see your messages, calls, photos, and notifications. If these permissions were turned off, Phone Link cannot access your phone's data even if it is connected. On your Android phone, go to Settings, then Apps, then scroll down and find "Phone Link Companion" or "Link to Windows". Tap it, then tap "Permissions".
Look for these permissions and make sure they are turned on: Contacts, Messages, Call logs, Notifications, and Photos. If any are off, tap them and select "Allow". Go back to your computer and open Phone Link — it should now show your messages and other data.
Update Phone Link and your phone's software
Phone Link works better when both your computer and phone are up to date. On your Windows computer, click the Start button, then Settings, then Update & Security, then "Check for updates". If updates are available, install them and restart your computer.
On your Android phone, go to Settings, then About phone, then look for "System update" or "Software update". If an update is available, tap it and follow the steps to install it. Restart your phone when it is done. Once both devices are updated, open Phone Link again and see if it connects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Phone Link with an iPhone?
No. Phone Link only works with Android phones and Windows computers. If you have an iPhone, you will need to use a different tool like iCloud or Apple's native features to sync with your Mac.
Does Phone Link work without Wi-Fi?
Phone Link needs both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to work. If your computer is on Wi-Fi but your phone is only on mobile data, they cannot connect. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network or both must be able to see each other over Bluetooth.
Will unpairing my phone erase my data?
No. Unpairing only removes the connection between your phone and computer. Your messages, photos, contacts, and everything else on both devices stay exactly where they are. You can pair them again without losing anything.
Why does Phone Link keep disconnecting?
Phone Link disconnects when Bluetooth turns off, when you move too far from your computer, or when your phone switches to a different Wi-Fi network. Check that Bluetooth is on and both devices are on the same network. If it keeps happening, restart both devices and update your software.
How far away can my phone be from my computer?
Bluetooth typically works within 30 feet, but walls and other devices can reduce that range. If you are far from your computer or in a different room with thick walls, the connection may drop. Move closer or restart both devices to reconnect.