This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the ability to link an iPhone or Android phone with the Phone Link app for your account or all users in Windows 11.
The Phone Link app on your Windows PC let's you get instant access to everything you love on your phone, right from your PC. Link your iPhone or Android phone and PC to view and reply to text messages, make and receive calls, and more - all right on your PC.
The Phone Link experience starts on your PC with Windows 10 or Windows 11 and the Your Phone app. From your PC you can connect to select Android and Samsung devices with these two apps:
- Link to Windows (YPC) app for most Android devices
- Link to Windows (LTW) app preinstalled on Surface Duo and selected Samsung phones
Starting with Windows 11 version 22H2 KB5030310 Build 22621.2361, Microsoft is beginning to roll out a new option under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Phone Link to disable Phone Link all together in Windows 11. This setting will prevent Phone Link from communicating with your mobile devices.
References:
Phone Link help & learning
Find help and support content for Microsoft Phone Link. Learn time-saving tips and explore how you can use Phone Link to stay productive.
support.microsoft.com
Phone Link requirements and setup - Microsoft Support
System requirements and setup steps for the Phone Link app
support.microsoft.com
Phone Link for iOS is now rolling out to all Windows 11 customers
UPDATE — May 15, 2023 — We are pleased to announce that Phone Link for iOS is now available to all Windows 11 customers. Today, we are excited to announce that Microsoft Phone Link for iOS on Windows 11 is beginning to
blogs.windows.com
Contents
- Option One: Turn On Phone Link for Current User from Phone Link app
- Option Two: Turn On or Off Phone Link for Current User in Settings
- Option Three: Turn On or Off Phone Link for Current User using REG file
- Option Four: Enable or Disable Phone Link for All Users in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Five: Enable or Disable Phone Link for All Users using REG file
EXAMPLE: Phone Link app disabled
1 Open the Phone Link app.
2 Click/tap on Turn on. (see screenshot below)
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Bluetooth & devices on the left side, and click/tap on Mobile devices on the right side. (see screenshot below)
Starting with Windows 11 build 22631.3235, the Phone Link settings page has been renamed to Mobile devices.
3 Turn On or Off (default) Phone Link for what you want. (see screenshot below)
The Phone Link app will automatically open when you turn on Phone Link.
4 You can now close Settings if you like.
1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you want.
2 Turn On Phone Link
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_on_Phone_Link_for_current_user.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Mobility]
"PhoneLinkEnabled"=dword:000000013 Turn Off Phone Link
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_off_Phone_Link_for_current_user.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Mobility]
"PhoneLinkEnabled"=dword:000000004 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Five to configure the same policy.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Group Policy
3 In the right pane of Group Policy in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Phone-PC linking on this device policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
5 Enable Phone Link app for All Users
This is the default setting to allow using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below.
6 Disable Phone Link app for All Users
This will override and prevent using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.
A) Select (dot) Disabled. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below.
7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
2. Enable Phone Link app for All Users
This is the default setting to allow using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Enable_Phone-PC_linking_with_Your_Phone_app_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System]
"EnableMmx"=- 3. Disable Phone Link app for All Users
This will override and prevent using Option One, Option Two, and Option Three.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_Phone-PC_linking_with_Your_Phone_app_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System]
"EnableMmx"=dword:000000004 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You could now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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