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Many people want to know how To Use Phone Link with iPhone? Now that Microsoft’s Phone Link app works with iOS, iPhone users can connect their phone to a Windows 11 computer to send and receive calls and messages. Since a while ago, the Phone Link app has made it possible to connect Android devices to Windows PCs. From their Windows PC, Android users can easily check their phone’s notifications, phone calls, text messages, and photos. On some devices, they can even use apps that they have on their phone. Users can also send data and files wirelessly between their Android phones and their Windows PCs.
Microsoft’s Phone Link for iOS is now available on desktops with Windows 11. The application lets iPhone users connect their phones to their Windows PCs and answer calls, check notifications, and respond to messages right from their PCs. Microsoft announced today that Phone Link for iOS is now available to all Windows 11 users. This lets iPhone users make and receive phone calls, send and receive iMessage messages, access their contacts, and see notifications from their phone right on their Windows PC. Phone Link only worked with Android phones in the past. Here are the steps how To Use Phone Link with iPhone.
What is Phone Link?
With the Phone Link app from Microsoft, you can connect your iPhone to your Windows 11 computer. Once you’re connected, you can use your PC to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, check notifications, and get to your contacts. You can also send photos and files from one device to another. Phone Link works with Windows 11 PCs and iPhones with iOS 14 or a later version.
Install the Phone Link app on your PC and the Phone Link Companion app on your iPhone to use Phone Link. Microsoft has now made Phone Link available in 85 markets around the world for iOS users. To set up Phone Link for iOS, make sure that both the iPhone and the Windows PC have Bluetooth turned on and that both can be found. Next, look for ‘Phone Link’ in the Windows start menu. If it doesn’t show up, check to see if there’s a new version of Windows or download the Phone Link app from the Microsoft Store.
How To Use Phone Link with iPhone
- Get yourself to the Microsoft Store.
- Look for the Phone Link.
- Click the first result and then the Update button.
- After the update, open the app.
- On the launch screen, choose iPhone.
- Look for the QR code.
- Press Windows Key + A and click the Bluetooth icon in Quick Settings to turn on Bluetooth on your Windows 11 PC.
- Follow the steps on the Phone Link app’s screen to connect your iPhone to Windows 11 over Bluetooth.
- If asked, scan the QR code and make sure it matches the other one.
- Give your iPhone the extra permissions that the Phone Link app asks for.
- Once paired, click Calls to open the dialler and make a call from your PC.
- To start a new message, click Messages and then the notebook icon at the top of the app.
- On the left side of the app, you’ll also see Notifications.
Limitations of Phone Link for iOS
- Platform Compatibility: Phone Link for iOS may have limitations in terms of which iOS devices it supports. It might not work with all iPhone models.
- Feature Set: Some features available on Android might be limited or not fully supported on iOS due to Apple’s restrictions.
- Functionality Restrictions: Phone Link for iOS might have limitations in terms of the actions you can perform on your iPhone from the Windows 11 PC compared to what’s available for Android devices.
- Performance: Connectivity and performance might vary based on the Bluetooth connection quality and the specific iOS device being used.
- Integration: Integration with iOS may not be as seamless as with Android due to differences in the operating systems and APIs.
- Notifications: Certain notifications or functionalities available for Android might not be mirrored accurately on iOS.
Security and Privacy Considerations with Phone Link
| Aspect | Security and Privacy Considerations |
|---|---|
| Data Transmission | – Data transmitted between iPhone and Windows 11 PC should be encrypted to prevent unauthorized access.<br>- Ensure secure protocols are used for communication.<br>- Avoid exposing sensitive data during transmission. |
| Bluetooth Pairing | – Use secure pairing methods to establish a connection between devices.<br>- Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized pairing. |
| QR Code Verification | – Implement a robust QR code verification process to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.<br>- Verify the authenticity of the QR code before scanning.<br>- Display only necessary information in the QR code. |
| App Permissions | – Clearly explain and justify the permissions requested by the Phone Link app.<br>- Allow users to grant permissions selectively rather than requiring all or nothing.<br>- Provide transparent information about data usage. |
| User Authentication | – Require strong user authentication to access the Phone Link features.<br>- Utilize biometric methods (e.g., Face ID, Touch ID) for added security.<br>- Implement measures to prevent unauthorized access to the app. |
| Data Storage | – Store any sensitive data on both devices using strong encryption.<br>- Regularly clear cached or temporary data containing sensitive information.<br>- Implement data retention policies. |
Conclusion
Microsoft has updated the Phone Link app so that users can now connect their iPhone to a PC with Windows 11 OS. The Microsoft app store now has a free version of Phone Link for iOS, which lets users use iMessage on their PC. If you already have the Phone Link app on your computer, you will need to update it through the app store in order to link your iPhone.
Questions and Answers
Phone Link works with the iPhone as well as the best Android phones. You need a Microsoft account to use Phone Link. In order for the integration to work, both your Windows PC or laptop and your phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network. For some features to work, you also need Bluetooth.
To get started, connect your iPhone to your Windows PC using the Phone Link app. Phone Link for iOS needs an iPhone with iOS 14 or higher, a Windows 11 device, a Bluetooth connection, and the latest version of the Phone Link app. Not available for MacOS or iPad (iPadOS).
Make sure your iPhone and Android are in sync. You can choose between one-way sync and two-way sync to make sure that your Calendar events are always up to date. Use two-way sync to keep your iPhone and Android up-to-date. Or, you can pick “one-way sync” to get new Calendar entries from one source but not the other.
The risk here is that someone who can even temporarily take someone else’s phone could turn on Phone Link on their own Windows PC and use the app to spy on the victim’s phone calls and text messages without their knowledge or permission. Even if you have an iPhone, setting up Phone Link isn’t too hard.