Windows 11: Manage Phone Notifications, Photos, and Calls on Your PC
Set up Windows 11 phone integration by separating notification and calling features from photo-file access. Android and iPhone have different requirements. Follow the current File Explorer workflow for supported Android photos, starting with one copy while preserving the original.
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Who this guide is for and what to prepare
- People handling phone notifications or calls from a PC
- People copying Android photos into Windows
What you need
- Update the PC and phone and have both unlocked for setup. Check applicable organizational restrictions.
- On a shared PC, consider the information visible in notifications and enable only the features you need.
Choose a practical workflow
Feature conditions differ between phone types, so review the available screen and official requirements before starting. A missing photo view alone does not indicate a failed phone. Before inserting a saved image, inspect contents, required resolution and private details such as faces or addresses.
2. Pair the device and choose permissions
- Follow the PC's instructions to scan the QR code and verify the displayed PC name.
- On Android, review the Link to Windows account and permissions; on iPhone, review Bluetooth pairing and the required notification or contact permissions.
- Confirm that your phone's name appears on the PC.
Worked example: use a phone photo in a PC document
- Open Phone Link on the PC, choose the phone type and follow setup. Review the pairing prompt, such as a QR code, on your own phone.
- Read requested phone permissions and grant those needed for the intended feature. If notifications or calls are unnecessary, review what the link is configured to share.
- If Photos is available on the PC, open the intended image and use an available save operation to store it in a work folder. If that feature is unavailable, choose another transfer route.
- Open the saved image, verify its identity and quality and insert it into the document. Manage the saved location rather than relying on the Phone Link view for later use.
3. Test notifications and calls separately
A paired device can still lack permission or support for a particular feature. Test functions individually to locate the missing requirement.
4. Copy Android photos through File Explorer
Microsoft is moving Windows 11 photo access from the Phone Link Photos tab to File Explorer. This integration requires Android 11 or later and a supported Link to Windows version; it is not the same workflow for an iPhone.
- In Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Mobile devices → Manage devices, add or select your phone.
- Enable Show mobile device in File Explorer, then open the phone's photo folder from its entry in File Explorer.
- Copy one test photo and paste it into a PC folder. Open the copy and confirm the original remains on the phone.
Review feature support and photo versions
Begin with viewing photos, reading notifications or making a call. After pairing, perform that action once and confirm the expected phone is displayed. Connected status does not imply every feature is supported; check feature-specific requirements.
Inspect capture dates and similar photos before choosing an image. The PC view may not identify the latest intended version. Preserve the original when cropping or editing. Deleting the phone original is a separate decision; first open the actual saved PC file rather than relying on its visible thumbnail.
Separate photo viewing, saving and notification visibility
Seeing photos on the PC does not prove the entire collection is backed up. When saving a needed photo to the PC, open it from the saved location. For a large collection, review storage on the phone and a separate backup approach.
Review lock state and notification contents. Adjust settings if personal message bodies should not appear on a work PC. Suppressing PC-linked notifications differs from stopping notifications on the phone; read both sets of settings. Shared use also raises access to photos and messages, beyond banner visibility.
Review shared use, replacement and calling conditions
If other people use the PC, review when message bodies and sender names appear. Change notification preferences if only notifications are unwanted. If the link is no longer needed, follow official unlinking instructions for both ends. After replacing a phone, inspect old device entries before setting up the new one.
Check call setup separately even if photo transfer succeeded. Bluetooth conditions and audio-device selection can separate incoming-call display from usable conversation. Trial both received and transmitted voice before a long call. If the phone does not support the required feature, choose another communication method instead of forcing unrelated settings.
Separate connection problems from feature limits
Scroll horizontally to see the full table →
| Observed result | First check | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| The device is not connected | Check connectivity and pairing on both ends | Review account, connection status and displayed setup guidance in order. |
| Notifications work but Photos is absent | Review requirements for the phone type | Connection does not imply every feature. Choose an appropriate transfer method. |
| A photo is visible but its saved copy is unclear | Open the PC destination | Do not treat viewing as completed backup; verify an actual file opens. |
5. Remove the link and check remaining connections
Removing a connection is separate from deleting saved copies. If the phone is registered with several Windows experiences, inspect the remaining entries too.
- In Phone Link → Settings → Devices, use the phone's menu to remove it.
- If the phone remains in Windows Mobile devices → Manage devices, verify the target and remove that entry.
- Review the PC entry in Link to Windows or Bluetooth on the phone and remove connections no longer needed. Copies saved on the PC remain separate.
Limitations and requirements
- Deleting or moving files inside the phone's File Explorer view affects its originals. Start with copying only.
- Capabilities vary by phone, OS, and app version. A missing Photos tab alone does not establish that the entire connection is broken.
Frequently asked questions
Why can I no longer find the Photos tab in Windows 11?
Current official guidance moves Android photo access to File Explorer. Check Mobile devices settings and the integration requirements.
Will unlinking delete photos I copied?
Files copied into a separate PC folder are independent of unlinking. Review that destination separately if you want to remove unneeded copies.
Does Phone Link save every photo on the phone?
Viewing photos on the PC and backing up the entire collection are different tasks. Save and verify needed files or arrange a separate collection backup.
Should an old phone remain linked after replacement?
Use official unlinking guidance to organize unused devices and avoid confusing photo or notification sources. Review the phone side and Windows device settings as well as the PC application.
Sources and verification date
Sources checked: . These sources support the specifications, procedures or prices discussed here. Check each source for applicable conditions and current information.
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