Phone Link app requirements and setup

System requirements

“System requirements” typically refer to the minimum specifications or hardware components needed for a particular software or application to function properly on a device such as a phone.

In the context of phone linking, system requirements might refer to the minimum specifications or capabilities needed for a phone to connect and interact with another device, such as a computer, a speaker, or another phone. These requirements might include things like:

Bluetooth version
Wi-Fi connectivity
Operating system version (e.g. iOS, Android)
Processor speed and type
Amount of RAM
Available storage space
Screen size and resolution

The specific system requirements for phone linking will depend on the devices being used and the type of connection being established. It’s always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s specifications or documentation for information on system requirements for phone linking.

Note: The Phone Link app doesn’t currently support multiple Android profiles or work/school accounts.

How to link your devices

Turn on the devices you want to link and make sure they are within range of each other.
Determine the type of connection you want to use. For example, you might use Bluetooth to link two phones, or Wi-Fi to connect a phone to a computer.
Make sure that the device you want to link has the necessary features and settings enabled to establish the connection. For example, for Bluetooth linking, you will need to make sure that both devices have Bluetooth turned on and are in discoverable mode.
Once the devices are ready to connect, search for available devices or networks on the device you want to link. Depending on the device, this might involve going to the settings menu or using a specific app.
When you see the device you want to link listed, select it and follow any prompts to complete the connection. This might involve entering a password or PIN, or confirming that you want to pair the devices.
Once the devices are linked, you should be able to use them together as intended. For example, if you linked a phone to a speaker, you should be able to play music from the phone through the speaker.

If you start from your PC:

Ensure that both your PC and phone have Bluetooth capabilities and they are turned on.
On your PC, open the Settings app and click on “Devices”.
Click on “Bluetooth & other devices” and make sure that the toggle switch for Bluetooth is turned on.
On your phone, go to Settings and turn on Bluetooth.
On your PC, click on “Add Bluetooth or other device”. A window will open, showing different device types.
Select “Bluetooth” and wait for your PC to scan for nearby devices.
Your phone should appear in the list of available devices. Click on it and follow any prompts to complete the pairing process.
Once your phone is paired with your PC, you can transfer files between them, share your phone’s internet connection, or use your phone as a wireless input device.

If you’re adding another Android device:

On the device that you want to link, go to Settings and turn on Bluetooth.
On the other device, go to Settings and turn on Bluetooth.
On the device that you want to link, go to Bluetooth settings and search for nearby devices.
The other device should appear in the list of available devices. Tap on it to begin the pairing process.
On the other device, a notification will appear asking you to accept the pairing request from the first device. Tap on “Pair” or “Accept” to confirm the pairing.
Once the pairing is complete, the devices will be linked and you can use various features, such as transferring files, sharing internet connections, or streaming music and videos between the devices.

Note: You can unlink your devices anytime completing the steps listed on Unlink a device

Why do I need to grant permissions during linking my devices?

Granting permissions when linking your devices allows one device to access specific features or data on the other device. For example, when you link your phone to your PC, you might need to grant permission for the PC to access your phone’s contacts, photos, or messages.

Permissions are important because they allow you to control what data or features are shared between devices. By granting permissions only for the specific data or features that you want to share, you can limit potential security risks or privacy concerns.

Additionally, some permissions may be required for the devices to function properly. For example, if you want to use your phone as a wireless input device for your PC, you may need to grant permission for the PC to use your phone’s keyboard or touchpad.

It’s important to review the permissions requested when linking devices and only grant the permissions that you are comfortable with. If you’re not sure why a specific permission is being requested or have concerns about granting a permission, you can always deny the request and seek more information or help from the manufacturer or support team.

Why can’t I approve notifications on Phone Link?

If you’re having trouble approving notifications on Phone Link, there are a few possible reasons why:

Permissions: Make sure that you have granted the necessary permissions to the app on your phone to receive notifications. You can check this by going to your phone’s Settings, selecting the app, and ensuring that notifications are enabled.
Connection: Ensure that your phone is properly connected to your PC via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If the connection is unstable or weak, it may cause delays or errors in receiving notifications.
Settings: Check the notification settings in the Phone Link app on your PC. Make sure that the app is set up to receive notifications from the specific apps that you want to receive notifications from.
Troubleshooting: If you’re still having trouble receiving or approving notifications, try restarting both your phone and PC and try again. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the Phone Link app on your phone or PC.

If none of these solutions work, it may be a technical issue with the app or the devices themselves. In that case, you can contact the app’s support team or the manufacturer’s support team for further assistance.

Why do I need to give notifications permission?

You need to give notifications permission to Phone Link to allow it to display notifications from your phone on your PC. This is a feature that allows you to see your phone’s notifications, such as incoming calls, messages, and app notifications, on your PC without having to check your phone.

By giving notifications permission, you are allowing Phone Link to access your phone’s notifications and display them on your PC. This can be helpful if you’re working on your PC and don’t want to be constantly checking your phone for important notifications.

However, it’s important to note that granting notification permissions also means that Phone Link will have access to the content of your notifications. This may include personal information such as the content of your messages or the subject of your emails.

Therefore, it’s important to only grant notification permissions to apps and services that you trust and that you feel comfortable giving access to your personal information. If you have concerns about privacy or security, you can always review the permissions settings for Phone Link or contact the manufacturer’s support team for more information.

How to setup Instant Hotspot?

Instant Hotspot is a feature that allows you to share your iPhone’s cellular data connection with your other Apple devices such as iPad, Mac, or iPod touch. Here’s how to set it up:

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot.
Turn on the “Allow Others to Join” toggle switch.
Make sure that your other Apple device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone.
On your other Apple device, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and select your iPhone from the list of available Wi-Fi networks.
Enter the password for your iPhone’s Personal Hotspot, if prompted.
Once connected, you should be able to use your iPhone’s cellular data connection on your other Apple device.
Note: In order to use Instant Hotspot, your iPhone and other Apple device must be signed in to the same Apple ID, and have Bluetooth turned on.

Additionally, not all devices may support Instant Hotspot. For example, your Mac must be running macOS Yosemite or later and your iPad or iPod touch must be running iOS 8 or later. If you’re having trouble setting up Instant Hotspot, make sure that your devices are compatible and up to date with the latest software updates.

Note: Mobile data charges may apply.

What are the requirements for using this feature?

PC requirements:

A PC running Windows 11, version 22H2 build 22621 or later
A PC with Bluetooth support and Wi-Fi adapter
Phone Link app version 1.22092.211.0 or later

Phone requirements:

Samsung mobile device with OneUI 4.1.1 or later
SIM card with hotspot capable plan
Link to Windows app version 1.22093.2.0 or later

How to enable this feature?

To enable the feature to link your phone to your PC, follow these steps:

Install the Phone Link app on both your phone and PC. You can download the app from the app store on your phone and from the Microsoft Store or official website of the manufacturer on your PC.

Make sure that your phone and PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or paired via Bluetooth.

Open the Phone Link app on your PC and follow the on-screen instructions to set up the app.

On your phone, open the Phone Link app and follow the instructions to connect to your PC.

You may be prompted to grant permissions such as notification access, device access, and location access to the app. Make sure to grant these permissions to ensure that the app works properly.

Once your phone and PC are linked, you should be able to see your phone’s notifications, messages, calls, and other data on your PC screen.

Note that the specific steps and requirements to enable the feature may vary depending on the software and hardware you are using. If you encounter any issues, consult the app’s user manual or contact the manufacturer’s support team for assistance.

Why don’t I see the feature available on the Phone Link app?

If you don’t see the feature available on the Phone Link app, there could be a few possible reasons for this:

Compatibility: The feature may not be available on your phone or PC due to compatibility issues. Make sure that your phone and PC meet the minimum requirements for the app and that they are running the latest version of their respective operating systems.

App Version: Make sure that you are running the latest version of the Phone Link app on both your phone and PC. If you are using an outdated version, the feature may not be available.

Phone Link Settings: Check the settings in the Phone Link app on both your phone and PC to make sure that the feature is enabled. The option to enable the feature may be hidden in a submenu or may require additional permissions to be granted.

Manufacturer Restrictions: Some phone manufacturers may not allow certain features to be used on their devices due to security or privacy concerns. Check with the manufacturer or consult the user manual to see if there are any restrictions that may be preventing the feature from being available.

If you still cannot find the feature, you may want to try restarting your phone and PC or reinstalling the app. If none of these solutions work, contact the manufacturer’s support team for assistance.

Tip: The Phone Link app is designed to be experienced as part of your PC’s Windows taskbar. For users who have linked an Android device to the PC, the app may get pinned to the taskbar of your PC. If you prefer to unpin the app, right-click its icon, and then select Unpin from taskbar.