Making and Receiving Calls on Windows 11 and Windows 10: A Complete Guide

• To enable calling features on Windows 10 or 11, download and set up the “Phone Link” application on your PC and the “Link to Windows” app on your mobile device. Next, access the “Calls” section in the Phone Link app and click “Get started” , connect your phone to your PC using Bluetooth, and you’re ready to initiate and receive calls.

Windows 10 and 11 provide a seamless way to make and receive smartphone calls via the Phone Link application. This tutorial outlines how to set up this functionality on your system.

The Phone Link application is designed for Windows users, allowing the integration of an Android or iPhone with your computer. It enables access to messages, notifications, and images, while also facilitating call management. Keep in mind that your computer doesn’t directly manage the calls; instead, it communicates with the “Link to Windows” app, which directs your smartphone to handle call processes.

Before proceeding to make calls on your Windows device, ensure both your computer and smartphone have Bluetooth activated, “Do Not Disturb” is turned off on Windows, and both gadgets are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Additionally, ensure you have installed the “Phone Link” application on your PC, while the “Link to Windows” app needs to be installed on your smartphone.

This guide provides detailed steps on how to initiate, answer, and decline phone calls directly from Windows 10 or 11 without having to unlock your smartphone. While this tutorial primarily targets Android users, iPhone users will find the steps quite similar.

Steps to Make or Receive Calls on Windows 11 (or 10)

To manage calls via your Windows machine, start by setting up the Phone Link app on your computer alongside the Link to Windows app on your mobile device. Usually, the Phone Link app is pre-installed, while you’ll need to install the Link to Windows app on your smartphone.

Connecting Your Phone to Your PC

Follow these steps to link your Android device to your Windows computer:

1. Launch Windows and open the Start menu.

2. Type Phone Link in the search bar and select it from the results.

3. Click the Continue button and log into your Microsoft account if required.

4. Select the option for Android.

5. On your Android device, open the Camera app to scan the displayed QR code.

   

   Quick note: Scanning the QR code will initiate the linking process. If the “Link to Windows” app is not present, the QR code will lead you to its installation page.

6. Click on Continue.

7. Verify the mobile device code that appears on your PC.

   

8. Press Continue.

9. Authenticate your Microsoft account if needed.

10. Click Allow to permit SMS messaging access.

    Quick note: Requests for permissions may appear in a different sequence; granting each permission is necessary for optimal functionality of the app.

11. Press Allow for phone call management permission.

12. Click Allow to share access to your contacts.

13. Select Allow for call log access.

14. Choose the “While using the app” option to grant access to photos and record videos.

15. Opt for the “Allow limited access” choice for viewing photos and videos on your device.

16. Click Allow to receive notifications.

17. Choose Deny to restrict the app from running in the background, helping conserve your phone’s battery life.

18. Finalize by clicking Done.

19. On Windows, click Continue if prompted.

20. Select the Calls tab.

21. Click on Get started.

22. Press Begin pairing.

    

23. Click the Set up button.

    

24. From Android, tap Allow to permit phone access via Bluetooth.

25. Toggle on “Also allow access to contacts and call history” .

26. Click Pair if the Bluetooth pairing code on your mobile matches with that on your PC.

    

27. On Windows, click Yes.

    

28. Press Continue.

Complete these steps to start making and receiving calls.

Managing Calls from Your Computer

To make or answer calls using Windows 10 or 11, follow these instructions:

1. Launch the Phone Link app.

2. Go to the Calls tab.

3. (Option 1) Enter the phone number and press the Call button.

   

4. (Option 2) Select a recent call from the list on the left and hit the Call button.

Once you’ve executed these steps, your phone will treat the call just like a regular phone call, with the mobile device and computer interaction facilitated via Bluetooth.

For incoming calls, keep the “Phone Link” app running on your PC. When an incoming call arrives, the phone utilizes “Link to Windows” to redirect the call to your computer, activating the “Phone Link” app to alert you.