Phone Link
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 A screenshot of the Phone Link interface opened in Windows, showing the Calls section. | |
| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Initial release | October 2, 2018 |
| Stable release | 1.24072.106.0
/ 8 August 2024[1] |
| Operating system | Windows 10,Windows 11,Android,iOS |
| Predecessor | Phone Companion |
| Type | Phone and PC driver |
| License | Proprietaryfreeware |
| Website | Phone Link |
Phone Link,previouslyYour Phone,is a syncing software developed byMicrosoftto connectWindowsPCs toAndroidandiOSmobile devices to view notifications, make phone calls, use mobile apps amongst others, via the PC.[2]It is a native component ofWindows 10(since version 1809) andWindows 11,where it is aUWPapp and consists of adriverthat communicates with theLink to Windows[3]app on the mobile device. Phone Link makes use ofWi-Fi,Bluetoothfor voice calls, ormobile data;[3]it syncs via Microsoft servers, meaning that aninternetconnection is required.
Features
[edit]Phone Link enables a PC to send (and receive)text messagesrelayed from the mobile device, including bothSMSandMMS,as well asRCSfor select smartphones.[4]It can also access the 2000 most recent photos on the connected phone.
Audio that is played on the phone can also be controlled on the Phone Link interface, so long as the playing apps have media controls in the Android notification area.[5]
Phone Link can also be used to mirror the screen of anAndroid device;however this feature is currently only available on select devices with the Link to Windows service pre-installed.[6][7]The app also has a cross-device copy and paste feature allowing users to send copied text and images between devices using the same copy and paste shortcuts on each device.[8]
History
[edit]At itsBuild 2018event on May 7, 2018, Microsoft presented the Your Phone app, which allowed users to use their PCs to see recent photos on theirAndroidbased phones, and to send SMS messages.[9]Your Phone was released as part of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (1809), as a replacement of the legacyPhone Companionapp.[10]
AtSamsung's GalaxyNote10launch event, Microsoft previewed the additional Your Phone feature of receiving phone calls directly on a PC viaBluetooth.The feature was made available for all Android phones on February 20, 2020.[11]At the same event it was revealed that Your Phone will ship on mostSamsung Galaxydevices as part of a partnership withSamsung Electronics.[12]
In March 2022, Your Phone was rebranded to Phone Link[13]and the interface was changed.[14]At the same time, the Your Phone Companion app on mobile was also renamed, to Link to Windows.[15]
In April 2023, Microsoft started rolling out support for theiPhoneon Windows 11 only.[16]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"Phone Link".Microsoft Apps.Retrieved2024-08-09.
- ^"Windows 10's new Your Phone app lets you access phone texts & photos | On MSFT".On MSFT.2018-10-03.Retrieved2018-10-19.
- ^ab"Phone Link requirements and setup - Microsoft Support".support.microsoft.Retrieved2023-11-08.
- ^"Send and receive text messages from your PC - Microsoft Support".support.microsoft.
- ^Warren, Tom (April 29, 2020)."Microsoft's Your Phone app now lets you control music on a phone from your PC".The Verge.
- ^"Microsoft begins testing phone screen mirroring with the Your Phone app".Windows Central.2019-03-12.Retrieved2019-07-26.
- ^"Setting up and using phone screen in the Phone Link app - Microsoft Support".support.microsoft.Retrieved2023-05-03.
- ^"How to Copy and Paste Text Between Your Android Phone and Windows PC".PCMAG.Retrieved2023-05-03.
- ^"New 'Your Phone' feature in Windows 10 further links your smartphone and PC".Windows Central.Retrieved2018-10-24.
- ^"Your Windows 10 PC will love all the devices you own".blogs.windows.2015-05-26.Retrieved2022-08-26.
- ^"Windows 10 Your Phone call support is now available for everyone".windowslatest.February 2020.Retrieved2020-02-08.
- ^"Samsung to bundle Your Phone with its Galaxy Note 10 as part of its extended Microsoft partnership".ZDNET.Retrieved2023-10-04.
- ^Warren, Tom (31 March 2022)."Microsoft rebrands its Android Your Phone companion app to Phone Link".The Verge.Retrieved1 April2022.
- ^Schoon, Ben (March 31, 2022)."Windows 11 revamps 'Phone Link' tool for pairing your Android phone w/ new branding, redesign".9to5Google.
- ^Blog, Windows Experience; Team, Gerald Haslhofer, General Manager, Mobile and Cross Device (2022-03-31)."Evolving the connection between your phone and your Windows PC".Windows Experience Blog.Retrieved2023-11-08.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^"Microsoft starts rolling out iOS support for Phone Link syncing to all Windows 11 users".Engadget.26 April 2023.Retrieved2023-04-28.
