Newscast

Microsoft announces Phone Link for iOS

By Nik

April 28, 2023

Microsoft has just announced the Phone Link experience for iOS devices for all Windows users. From now on, iPhone users will also be able to synch their iOS mobile devices with Windows 11 PCs just as Android users, even though the user experience is not as good as with Android devices.

Phone Link for iOS devices lets you connect and sync your iPhone with your Windows 11 PC. After the device connection, your PC will keep you updated with iPhone notifications while you’ll also be able to make calls, send messages and access your contacts on your Windows 11 PC.

In order to get the best experience and to let Windows 11 perform all of the tasks via the Phone Link app seamlessly, you’ll need to connect your iPhone to your PC via Bluetooth connection.

The Phone Link experience for iOS users was released back in February this year, but only for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel. Since then, there was plenty of time for testing and bug squashing so it can be released for all Windows 11 users. It’s worth saying that the Phone Link app is one of the most requested features for Windows 11.

Unfortunately, there are some limitations with the Phone LInk for iOS devices. For instance, you won’t be able to run iPhone apps on your PC as this is still available only on Samsung and Surface Duo devices. Image and video sharing and group messages are also not available via the Phone Link app.

Phone Link for iOS requires iOS 14 or later, a Windows 11 device, a Bluetooth connection, and the latest version of the app.

The rollout of Phone Link recently started and by mid-May, all Windows 11 should get it automatically.