Top Tips and Tricks for Using the Microsoft Phone Link App

2024/09/05

Key Notes

Manage notifications and DND settings seamlessly.
Efficiently delete photos straight from your PC.
Utilize features like Instant Hotspot and Cross-Device clipboard.

Unleashing the Potential of the Microsoft Phone Link App

The Microsoft Phone Link app provides users with a bridge to connect their Android devices to their PCs, enhancing productivity and streamlining communication. This guide presents essential tips and tricks that will help you maximize the functionalities of this innovative app, particularly if you’re using Samsung or Surface Duo devices.

Best Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Phone Link App

Step 1: Manage Do Not Disturb (DND) Settings

Reduce distractions by toggling your phone’s DND mode from your PC:

Launch the Phone Link App.
Click the DND button located beneath your phone icon and status (represented by a minus icon).

Pro Tip: You can easily disable DND with the same method when needed.

Step 2: Effortlessly Delete Photos from Your Phone

To manage photos via the Phone Link app, follow these steps:

Enable the photo deletion feature by clicking on the gear icon to access Settings.
Expand the Features section.
Ensure that Allow Phone Link to delete photos from my mobile device is checked.

Now, to delete photos:

Navigate to the Photos tab, open the photo you wish to remove, and select the Delete button.

Pro Tip: For bulk deletion, consider using your phone directly, since this app currently does not support it.

Step 3: Use Sound to Locate Your Mobile Device

If your phone goes missing, you can play a sound to help find it:

Ensure the phone is connected, then access the Device Status area.
Click the Play sound button (with a phone and speaker icon) and choose Play sound.

Pro Tip: The sound will last for roughly 20 seconds, but you can stop it from the Link to Windows app on your phone.

Step 4: Activate Instant Hotspot for Seamless Connectivity

Samsung users can benefit from an Instant Hotspot feature, which allows automatic connections:

Open the Phone Link app and navigate to Settings > Features > Additional Settings.
Enable the Instant Hotspot option.
Next time, simply connect your PC to your phone’s hotspot via the WiFi option in the Windows Action panel.

To share files from your PC to your Android device, do the following:

Open File Explorer and find the desired file.
Right-click on the file, then select Share.

Pro Tip: Your device will appear in the Nearby Share menu for quick transfer.

Step 6: Disable Phone Display When Connected to PC

To protect your privacy during screen mirroring:

Go to Settings > Features within the Phone Link app.
Expand Apps and check Hide my mobile screen while it’s connected to my PC.

Step 7: Extract Text from Images Using OCR

Utilize Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to copy text from photos:

Access the Photos section and select a photo to open.
Click the Text button in the viewer interface.

Pro Tip: This feature currently supports English text only in the US and UK.

Step 8: Control Audio Playback on Your PC

Stream audio from your phone directly to your PC:

Open the Phone Link app and go to Settings > Features > Apps.
Select Computer under Hear Audio From.

Pro Tip: To switch back, simply select the phone option again.

Step 9: Enable Cross-Device Copy and Paste

Format and sync your clipboard between devices:

Navigate to Phone Link > Settings > Features > Additional settings.
Check the Cross-Device Copy and Paste Option to enable it.

Pro Tip: If not supported directly, consider using Microsoft Swiftkey on your device for clipboard sync.

Step 10: Initiate Calls from Message Threads

Make calling more convenient directly from your conversations:

Select the Messages tab and open any conversation.
Click the Phone icon next to the number you wish to dial.

Pro Tip: This saves time as you won’t need to switch devices during calls.

Extra Tips and Considerations

Regularly check for application updates for improved functionalities.
Familiarize yourself with device compatibility to avoid performance issues.
Consider data security when sharing files across devices.

Summary

This guide provided valuable insights into maximizing the functions of the Microsoft Phone Link app, covering DND settings, file sharing, and innovative OCR features. By using these tips, users can enhance their productivity and connectivity across devices.

Conclusion

The Microsoft Phone Link app is a powerful tool that can significantly improve your workflow and communication efficiency. Implement these tips to unleash its full potential, ensuring your devices work seamlessly together.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Why are some features available only on selected devices?

Some features are designed exclusively for selected manufacturers in collaboration with Microsoft. However, these features generally become available for other devices over time.

How can I ensure the Phone Link app uses the default microphone?

To ensure calls function properly, confirm that your default microphone is set correctly in your PC settings. The Phone Link app will utilize the default mic first.