The basics of answering a call in Phone Link

When someone calls your phone number in Phone Link, your computer will show a notification with the caller's number and name (if it's in your contacts). You can answer by clicking the green phone icon in the notification, or by clicking the incoming call window if it appears on your screen. The call then rings through your computer's speakers and microphone, not your phone.

Phone Link works by mirroring your phone's calls to your Windows PC. When a call comes in, you have a few seconds to decide whether to answer on your phone or your computer — if you don't act, it goes to voicemail as usual. Once you answer on either device, the other device stops ringing.

Key Takeaways

  • Incoming calls appear as a notification on your PC with the caller's number and contact name, and you answer by clicking the green phone icon.
  • You can answer on your computer or your phone, but not both at the same time — answering on one device stops the ringing on the other.
  • Your computer's microphone and speakers handle the call, so make sure they are not muted before you answer.
  • If you miss a call, Phone Link shows it in your call history, and you can see the caller's number and the time they called.
  • You can reject a call by clicking the red phone icon, which sends it to voicemail without answering.

Where the notification appears on your screen

Phone Link shows incoming calls in different places depending on what you are doing. If you are using your PC normally, a notification window pops up in the lower right corner of your screen with the caller's name or number. If you are in the middle of something, you can still see and click that notification without closing what you are working on.

On some Windows versions, the call notification also appears in your taskbar at the bottom of the screen. You can click it there if the main notification has moved off-screen. The notification stays visible until you answer, reject, or let the call go to voicemail.

Answering the call with your microphone and speakers

When you click the green phone icon to answer, Phone Link uses your PC's microphone and speakers to carry the conversation. Before you answer, check that your speakers are turned on and your microphone is not muted — if either one is off, the caller will not hear you or you will not hear them.

If your PC has multiple microphones or speakers (for example, a headset and built-in speakers), Phone Link usually picks the default device you set in Windows settings. You can change which microphone or speaker Phone Link uses by opening Phone Link, going to Settings, and selecting your preferred audio devices. Test your microphone and speakers before an important call by using the test feature in those same settings.

Rejecting a call or letting it go to voicemail

If you do not want to answer, click the red phone icon in the notification to reject the call. The caller hears your voicemail greeting, and the call does not ring on your phone. Rejecting a call in Phone Link works the same way as not answering your phone — the caller has no way to know you deliberately rejected them.

You can also straightforward ignore the notification and let it disappear after a few seconds. The call will then ring on your phone as normal, and you can answer there instead. This is useful if you are in the middle of something and want to take the call on your phone rather than your computer.

Finding calls you missed in Phone Link

Phone Link keeps a record of all incoming calls in the Calls tab. You can see the caller's name or number, the date and time of the call, and whether you answered it or it went to voicemail. This list syncs with your phone, so missed calls appear in both places.

If you want to call someone back, click their name or number in the call history and Phone Link will dial them. The call still goes through your phone's carrier, not through your computer, so you are charged the same way as a normal call.

Troubleshooting when calls do not ring on your PC

If Phone Link is not showing incoming calls, first check that Phone Link is running on your PC and that your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network or has a strong Bluetooth connection to your computer. Phone Link needs an active connection to mirror calls from your phone.

Next, open Phone Link settings and confirm that call notifications are turned on. On your phone, go to the Phone Link app settings and make sure notifications are enabled there as well. If calls still do not appear, restart both your phone and your PC, then try having someone call you. If the problem continues, check that your phone's operating system and the Phone Link app are both up to date.

Using Phone Link during video calls or meetings

If you are already on a video call or using your microphone for a meeting when a call comes in, Phone Link will still show the incoming call notification. You can answer it, but your meeting audio and the phone call will both use the same microphone and speakers, which usually causes problems. Most people mute their meeting before answering a phone call, or reject the call and call the person back after the meeting ends.

Some meeting software (like Microsoft Teams or Zoom) can detect when you answer a phone call and automatically mute your meeting audio. Check your meeting app's settings to see if this feature is available. If it is not, you will need to manually mute before answering a call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I answer a call on my phone instead of my computer?

Yes. When a call comes in, you can answer on your phone, your computer, or let it ring on both. If you answer on your phone, the notification on your computer stops ringing. You do not have to answer on your PC just because Phone Link is running.

What if my microphone or speakers are not working?

Check that they are not muted in Windows settings. Open Settings, go to Sound, and confirm your microphone and speakers are set as default devices and the volume is not at zero. If they still do not work, restart Phone Link and try again. You can test them in Phone Link settings before making a call.

Do I need to be connected to Wi-Fi to answer calls in Phone Link?

Your phone needs either Wi-Fi or a strong Bluetooth connection to your PC for Phone Link to work. If your phone loses connection, incoming calls will ring on your phone instead of your computer. Once the connection is restored, calls will ring on both devices again.

Can I answer a call while my phone is locked?

Yes. Phone Link mirrors calls to your PC regardless of whether your phone is locked or unlocked. You can answer on your computer even if your phone is in another room or turned off, as long as Phone Link is running and connected.

What happens to the call if I close the Phone Link app?

If you close Phone Link while a call is ringing, the call will ring on your phone instead. Any active call will end if you close the app. You should keep Phone Link running in the background if you want to answer calls on your computer.