Microsoft has constantly improved the Phone Link app (previously the Your Phone app) on Windows to provide a more seamless, ecosystem-like functionality for Android and iOS devices. With the recent updates to the app, new features have been introduced. This article will teach us some of the best tips and tricks for using the Phone Link app.
Best Microsoft Phone Link app Tips and Tricks
This section will share top tips and tricks for the Phone Link app. Some of the tips, tricks, and features in this are exclusive to Samsung and Surface Duo phones.
1] Turn on/off do not disturb on your phone
All those notification sounds can get a little overwhelming, but with the Phone Link app, you can turn on/off DND on your phone:
- Open Phone Link App.
- Click the DND button below your phone icon and status (the minus icon).
- This will enable the DND mode on your phone; you can turn it off similarly.
2] Delete photos from your phone
You can use the Phone Link app to view photos, download them to your PC, and delete photos from your phone. Here’s how to do it:
- First, enable the Delete Photos setting. To do this, go to Settings by clicking on the gear icon.
- Now, go to the Features section and expand it.
- Check the Allow Phone Link option to delete photos from my mobile device.
- Now, you can proceed with deleting the photos. To do this, simply go to the Photos tab, open any photo you wish to delete, and click on the Delete button.
There is no option to bulk delete photos now; doing it right from the phone is best. However, if you want to delete a photo immediately, this is the way to go without picking up the phone.
3] Play sound to find your mobile device
Have you lost your phone and can’t find it somewhere around the house? You can play sound to find it as long as it is connected to the Phone Link app.
- If the phone is connected, go to the Device Status area.
- Click the Play sound button (Phone with a speaker icon) and then click Play sound.
When you play sound, it will play for at least 20 seconds; you can open the Link to Windows app on your phone to stop it.
4] Use instant hotspot
The Instant Hotspot feature lets your PC connect automatically to your Mobile’s hotspot without turning it on. This feature is exclusive to Samsung devices. If you are on one, here’s how to use it:
- Open the Phone Link app, and go to Settings > Features > Additional Settings.
- Now, please turn on the Instant Hotspot option or set it up.
- That’s done! So, the next time you want to connect to your Phone’s hotspot, go to the Wifi option from the Windows Action panel, find your device, and click the Connect button.
5] Share files from PC to Android
When connected to Phone Link, you can directly share files from PC to Android via Windows share:
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the file you wish to share.
- Right-click the file and then click Share from the context menu.
- Now, you will automatically see your device in the Nearby Share menu.
- Click on it, and the Phone link app will send the file to your device.
6] Turn off the phone screen when connected to your PC
The Phone Link app has a screen mirroring feature that exclusively works on Samsung Phones, the Surface Duo range, and some Oppo devices. For this feature to work, however, the phone screen needs to be unlocked, which can pose security risks. You can set your screen to black out while it is still turned on to protect your phone from prying eyes.
- In the Phone Link app, go to Settings > Features.
- Find the Apps option and expand it.
- Now, check the Hide my mobile screen while it’s connected to my PC option to enable it.
7] Copy text from photos (OCR)
You can also copy text from photos using the OCR functionality in the phone link app.
- Open the Photos tab, and then open any photo from which you wish to copy text.
- Now, click the Text button in the photo viewer.
- You can then Select and Copy all text or copy your selection from the photo.
The feature currently only supports English as a language in the US and UK.
8] Choose where the audio plays
You can directly stream any audio on your phone to your PC. This feature is also limited to specific devices and PCs with specifications. If your PC and phone support it, here’s how you can enable it:
- Open the Phone Link app and go to the Settings > Features > Apps.
- Expand the App option, and select Computer from the Hear Audio From option.
This will play the Audio from your phone on your PC. To revert it, select the phone option and follow the same steps.
9] Enable Cross-Device copy and paste
This feature again is now limited to Samsung and Surface Duo devices. It allows you to sync clipboards and copy and paste text and images up to 1 Mb. Here’s how to enable it:
- Go to Phone Link > Settings > Features > Additional settings.
- Find the Cross-Device Copy and Paste Option in the Additional Settings, and enable It.
While this feature is available only to limited devices, you can enable cross-device clipboard sync using your smartphone’s Microsoft Swiftkey keyboard.
10] Make calls from a message conversation
You can make calls directly from any message conversation on your PC using the phone link app. This makes it more convenient to make calls without picking up your phone.
- Open the Messages tab, and then open a conversation.
- Now, click the Phone icon, select the number, and place the call.
I hope the post was easy to follow and that you got the most out of the Phone Link app.
Why are some features available only on selected devices?
Microsoft has worked closely with the companies and given exclusivity to make the offer even more lucrative. However, the features roll out to all devices with time, so you must wait a bit.
Why is the Phone Link not using the default Microphone?
Make sure you have set the default microphone in your PC settings. Any app, including the Phone Link app, will first check for and use the default mic. However, if there is an issue, the calls won’t work.
