Share files between Mobile and PC using Phone Link in Windows 11

This tutorial shows how to share files between mobile and PC using Phone Link in Windows 11. Phone Link app lets you connect a Windows PC to a mobile device to access and view photos, make phone calls, use the phone camera as a webcam, view notifications on a PC, and much more. Now we can also send and receive files from our PC to an Android device and vice-versa when both the devices are connected with the Phone Link app on a Windows computer and the Link to Windows app on an Android phone.

We already have the Nearby Sharing feature in Windows 11 to send and receive files between phone and PC, but that requires a Bluetooth connection. On the other hand, you don’t need to connect with Bluetooth for the file transfer process using the Phone Link app. You can share any type of file, be it DOCX, DOC, JPG, PDF, MP4, APK, ZIP file, PNG, etc. You can’t share a folder directly, but multiple files can be shared at once.

Before proceeding, you should also have a look at the following requirements to use this file sharing feature of the Phone Link app:

An Android phone with Android version 9.0 or higher
Link to Windows app (Android client) with version 1.24032.518.0 or higher
Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC (with May 2019 update or later), and
Phone Link desktop app with version 1.24032.156.0 or higher.

How to share files between Mobile and PC using Phone Link in Windows 11

To share files between mobile and PC using the Phone Link app, download and install the Phone Link app on your PC and the Link to Windows app on your Android phone. After that, link your computer and mobile device to use the Phone Link app. You also need to grant permissions like access to files on mobile, send/receive notifications, and more.

Once both devices are linked or connected, you can transfer files from PC to Android and Android to PC. To make the file transfer process easier, we have covered separate sections with step-by-step instructions.

Share files from PC to mobile using Phone Link in Windows 11

First, unlock your mobile phone and then use the following steps to share files from PC to mobile device using Phone Link in Windows 11:

Select files available on the Desktop, a folder, or another location on your PC. You can only share the files that are saved locally on your PC. If you try to share files saved in the cloud, only links to those files will be shared
Right-click to open the context menu
Select the Send to My Phone option
Now the Phone Link app will prepare those files and send them to your phone. A notification appears on the bottom right section of your desktop screen for updates
A Files received notification will appear on your Android phone. You can use that notification to see the real-time update and open the received files with a File Manager on your phone.

All the received files are saved to Send from my PC or Sent from my PC folder under Downloads.

Read: How to use Google’s Quick Share app on Windows PC

How to transfer files from phone to laptop using Phone Link?

First, connect or link your phone and laptop with the Phone Link app and keep your laptop unlocked. Now, to share or transfer files from an Android phone to your laptop or PC using the Phone Link app in Windows 11, use the steps given below:

Open the File Manager or Gallery and select files that you want to share
Tap on the Send icon or Share icon (depending on the device)
In the Send or Share Drawer, look for the Link to Windows – Send to PC option and tap on it. You can also tap on your computer name (if visible) for file sharing
A File share page will open showing your PC as connected. Tap on the PC icon
It will prepare the files and the file sharing process will start. You have to stay on the same File share page until the process is completed
You will receive a notification on your Windows 11 PC showing that you have received files from your mobile device.

All the received files are saved under the Downloads > Phone Link folder.

You can also change the default save location to receive files from your Android phone to your Windows 11 PC.

Here are the steps:

Open the Phone Link app
Click on the Settings icon (or gear icon) present in the top-right corner
Select the Features category from the left section
Click on the Change Folder option (under Additional settings), and
Select a folder of your choice.

That’s all.

Now read: How to Hide or Show Phone Link Sidebar on Start Menu

Does Phone Link work with Windows 11?

Yes, Phone Link (previously known as Your Phone) works with Windows 11. Phone Link is a system component or built-in app that comes preinstalled in Windows 11. But, in case the Phone Link app is not working or opening on your Windows 11 PC, you should unlink and re-link your devices with the same Microsoft account. If this doesn’t work, repair or reset the app, enable app notifications, and disable the battery optimization. If you still face the trouble, you should re-install the app on both mobile and desktop.