Your Phone app requirements and set up

System requirements

The Your Phone experience starts on your PC with Windows 10 and the Your Phone app. From your PC you can connect to select Android and Samsung devices with these two apps:

Your Phone Companion (YPC) app for most Android devices

Link to Windows (LTW) app preinstalled on selected Samsung phones

You’ll see these names combined as Your Phone Companion – Link to Windows in the Google Play Store and in the Galaxy Store. In the Microsoft Store, you’ll see Your Phone. This link between your device and PC gives you instant access to everything you love. Read and reply to text messages with ease, view recent photos from your Android device, use your favorite mobile apps, make and receive calls, and manage your Android device’s notifications right on your PC.

The Your Phone app requires the following to work:

A PC running Windows 10 April 2018 Update or later. If you’re currently running the April 2018 Update, you will need to install the Your Phone app from the Microsoft store. Any Windows version after the April 2018 Update will have the app preinstalled.

An Android device running Android 7.0 (Nougat) or above.

Your phone and PC both need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi.

You’ll find the Your Phone app preinstalled if you have the Windows 10 October 2018 Update or later. When you open the app you’ll be guided through a few extra steps you’ll need to take to finish setting things up.

Note: Some of the features in the Your Phone app will require a newer version of Windows than the April 2018 Update. Additionally, the app doesn’t currently support organizational (work) accounts.

How to link your devices

Make sure to have both your PC and Android device nearby, turned on, and connected to the same Wi-Fi.

If you start from your PC:

In the search box on the taskbar, type your phone, and then select the Your Phone app from the results.

Select Android from the list of phone models.

You’ll be asked to sign in to your Microsoft account. (You’ll need to be signed in to the same Microsoft account on both your Android device and PC in order to link your devices.)

Once you’re signed in, you’ll be prompted to install or open the companion app on your Android device. To do this, open a web browser on your Android device and then enter the link that’s displayed on your PC (aka.ms/yourpc).

For Surface Duo and select Samsung devices, this link will open the Link to Windows app you have preinstalled on your device. For other Android devices, you’ll be directed to your app store to download the Your Phone Companion app (companion app).

Sign in to the companion app with the same Microsoft account that you’re signed in to on your PC. The app will then open to a screen that displays a QR code for you to scan — we’ll come back to that in a second.

Once you’ve signed in, go back to your PC and select the I have the Your Phone Companion app installed on my phone check box. Then select the Pair with QR code button.

Note: If you’d like to pair your device without using a QR code, select the Pair manually button on your PC instead. On your Android device, you’ll be prompted to enter the code displayed on your PC.

A QR code will appear on your PC screen. On your Android device, the companion app should be open to a screen with a camera on it. Use this screen to scan the QR code that’s displayed on your PC.

Once your devices are linked, your Android device will prompt you with several device permissions. These permissions help you access content from your phone on your PC.

If you start from your Android device:

Open a browser on your Android device, type www.aka.ms/yourpc in the browser, and then download the Your Phone Companion app. For Surface Duo and select Samsung devices, you’ll be prompted to open Link to Windows instead, which is preinstalled on your Android device.

Sign in to the companion app with the same Microsoft account you’re signed in to on your PC (you need to be signed in with your Microsoft account on your PC in order to link your devices even though you’re starting from your phone).

After signing in, you’ll be prompted to scan a QR code that’s displayed on your PC. To get to it, on your PC, open a browser to aka.ms/linkphone.

Use the companion app’s camera to scan the QR code that’s displayed on your PC with your Android device to link your devices.

You’ll be asked for a series of device permissions to allow you to access content from your phone and on your PC.

If you encounter issues installing the app, troubleshoot them here.

Unpinning from your taskbar

This app is designed to be experienced as part of your PC taskbar. For some users who have linked an Android device to the PC, the app may get pinned to the taskbar of your PC. To unpin the app, right-click it and then select Unpin from taskbar.

Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store

If you’re in Windows 10 and you’re having problems with an app from Microsoft Store, consider these updates and fixes.

First, sign in to your Microsoft account. Next, work through these possible solutions in the order presented.

Make sure Windows has the latest update: Select check for updates now, and then select Check for updates. Or, select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates. If there is an available update, select Install now.

Make sure that your app works with Windows 10. For more info, see Your app doesn’t work with Windows 10.

Update Microsoft Store: Select the Start button, and then from the apps list, select Microsoft Store. In Microsoft Store, select See more > Downloads and updates > Get updates. If an update for Microsoft Store is available, it will start installing automatically.

Troubleshoot games: If you’re having issues installing a game, see Troubleshoot game installations on Windows 10.

Reinstall your apps: In Microsoft Store, select See more > My Library. Select the app you want to reinstall, and then select Install.

Run the troubleshooter: Select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot, and then from the list select Windows Store apps > Run the troubleshooter.

Here’s more help

If you’re having trouble launching Microsoft Store, see Microsoft Store doesn’t launch.

If you can launch the Microsoft Store but you are just having trouble finding or installing an app, see I can’t find or install an app from Microsoft Store.

Setting up Apps in the Your Phone app

With Your Phone apps, you can instantly access the Android apps installed on your mobile device right on your PC. Using a Wi-Fi connection, Apps allows you to browse, play, order, chat, and more – all while using your PC’s larger screen and keyboard. You can add your Android apps as favorites on your PC, pin them to your Start menu and taskbar, and open them in separate windows to use side-by-side with apps on your PC – helping you stay productive.

What do I need to use Apps?

To use Apps, you will need:

A PC running the Windows 10 May 2019 Update or later. To check and update your version of Windows, on your PC go to Settings > Updates & Security > Check for update.

Your PC also needs to be using a graphics card (GPU) that supports DirectX11. Learn how to check your version of DirectX

An Android device running Android 9.0 or greater, with Link to Windows. See the full list of supported devices here.

Your Android device and PC to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Apps works for Your Phone app versions 1.20082.141.0 or higher. Older versions of the Your Phone app will show the previous phone screen experience.

What do I need to run multiple apps on my PC at a time?

A PC running the Windows 10 May 2020 Update or later. For best performance, we recommend having at least 8GB of RAM.

An Android device running Android 11.0.

On your Android device, you need Link to Windows version 2.1.05.6 or higher, or Your Phone Companion version 1.20104.15.0 or higher.

Multiple apps works for Your Phone versions 1.20104.20.0 or higher.

How do I set up Apps?

On your PC, open the Your Phone app and select Apps. Follow the setup instructions. If you encounter issues, here are some troubleshooting tips.

What devices are supported?

Apps is available on select Samsung devices that have Link to Windows, and a few recent ones are listed below. If your Android device is running Android 11¹ or higher, you may be eligible for the multiple apps experience. Those devices have an asterisk* next to them.

Samsung Galaxy Fold*

Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G*

Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G*

Samsung Galaxy S20*

Samsung Galaxy S20+*

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE*

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra*

Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip*

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G*

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G*

The full list of supported devices can be found here.

¹ Android 11 availability depends on your mobile device, market availability, and your mobile provider.

Troubleshooting the Your Phone app

Data syncing and connectivity issues

To keep your devices synced, your Windows PC and Android device need to be on, connected to the Internet, and we recommend having Battery saver turned Off (it may interfere with important notifications for the app).

Yes, you can use your mobile data to sync with your PC. However, if you’re concerned about the effect on your data allowance, we recommend remaining on a Wi-Fi connection.

On your Android device:

Open the Your Phone Companion app.

Select Sync over mobile data.

Turn this option On.

To ensure the fastest, most reliable connection, your Android device and PC must be connected to the same trusted Wi-FI network. This optimization isn’t possible on a public connection—for example, in a coffee shop, hotel, or airport.

When you first connect to a Wi-Fi network through Windows 10, you’ll be prompted to set it as public or private (trusted). You can also change it at any time.

These changes might not always be possible—for example, if your workplace controls your network connection.

Before we begin to change settings, we recommend quickly running through the following checks:

Double-check you’re using the same Microsoft account to sign in to both the Your Phone app and the companion app on your Android device.

Ensure Battery saver isn’t running on your PC or Android device, as this might affect connectivity.

You have an active Wi-Fi connection. Can you open your browser and navigate to your favorite website?

For some Android devices, your Battery Optimization settings may interrupt your connection. We recommend turning it off for the companion app on your Android device (either Your Phone Companion or Link to Windows). Here’s how to turn it off based on which companion app you have:

If you have Your Phone Companion*:

Open Android Settings > Apps & notifications > App info > Your Phone Companion > Advanced > Battery > Manage Battery Usage > Battery optimization. Scroll down to Your Phone Companion and select Don’t optimize.

If you have Link to Windows*:

Open Android Settings > Apps > Link to Windows Service > Battery > Optimize battery usage. Select All from the drop-down list, scroll to find Link to Windows service, and turn the toggle Off.

*Note: These steps may vary based on your Android device model.

Still not working? Continue with the following troubleshooting advice.

Check if the Your Phone app can run in the background.

Select Start (or press the Windows logo key on your keyboard), then select Settings > Privacy > Background apps.

In the list Choose which apps can run in the background, ensure Your Phone is enabled.

Ensure nothing is stopping you from sharing across devices.

Select Start (or press the Windows logo key on your keyboard), then select Settings > System > Shared experiences.

If you see Fix now in Accounts, select it and follow the instructions.

On your Android device:

Make sure you can receive app notifications.

Go to your Android device Settings > Apps (or Apps & Notification on some devices) > Your Phone Companion and check that notifications are enabled.

Make sure Do not disturb is turned Off.

Go to your Android device Settings > Sounds (on some devices this may be Sounds & Vibration or Sounds & Notifications) and check that Do not disturb is turned Off.

If you’re still having trouble, follow the steps to unlink your Android device.

If both of your devices are using the same Wi-Fi network but you still see an error message, this could be caused by a setting on your router.

Many routers have a Wireless isolation feature that allows you to lock down the network. If this Wireless Isolation (or AP Isolation) is enabled, then all devices connected to the Wi-Fi network will be blocked from communicating with other.

To disable Wireless/AP Isolation:

On most routers look for the Wireless > Advanced Wireless Setting, and uncheck/toggle AP Isolation.

Updates

Updates will be installed automatically if this option is enabled on your Android device/PC. To ensure a smooth experience to we recommend updating to the latest version where available. Before doing this, ensure both your Android device and PC are connected to Wi-Fi.

On your Android device:

Open the Your Phone Companion app.

Tap Check for Updates.

Wait for the update to complete successfully, then close and reopen the Your Phone app.

Open the Microsoft Store.

Search for Your Phone.

If an update is available to you, you will see an Update button. Select Update and wait for the update to complete successfully, then select Launch.

You can also try this:

Open the Microsoft Store.

Select More … (located next to your Microsoft account picture).

Select Downloads and Updates.

If a Your Phone update is available, you will see an Update button. Select Update and wait for the update to complete successfully, then select Launch.

Note: It can take a few minutes for the updates to be recognized by the app. If the Your Phone app is still in an “update state,» wait a few minutes, then restart your Android device. On your PC, close and reopen the Your Phone app.

After updating to Android 10, if you are unable to launch permissions for features (notifications, messages, photos) please complete the following steps:

To get photos and messages working:

Go to Settings on your Android device.

Search for App Info and tap on it.

Tap on See all apps.

Find Your Phone Companion and tap on it.

Tap on Permissions and allow the following:

To get notifications working:

Go to Settings on your Android device.

Search for “ Notification access.”

Find Your Phone Companion in the list and tap to toggle off/on.

A pop-up will appear; select Allow when prompted.

Troubleshooting features in the Your Phone app

If you’re looking for troubleshooting for a specific feature in the Your Phone app, find it in the list below:

How do I check I’m using the same Microsoft account for all my devices?

In order to successfully link your PC and Android device, you should sign in to the same Microsoft account on both. You can check this by following these steps:

Open your browser and visit accounts.microsoft.com/devices/android-ios. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

Check if you Android device is listed under your account information.

On your Android device:

If you have the Your Phone Companion app:

Go to Settings > Accounts.

If you have the Link to Windows app (for select Samsung devices):

Go to Settings > Advanced features > Link to Windows.

Review the email address under Microsoft account.

I’m having issues with the Your Phone app when using Samsung DeX at the same time

Having both the Your Phone app and DeX open may cause issues with both apps. To ensure the best experience, only have one of these apps open at a time.

Why can’t I use the Your Phone app as a non-default user or two phone mode user (available in Korea only)?

You may encounter two phone mode if your mobile provider is in Korea. The Your Phone app does not currently support two phone mode or multiple profiles mode. Please contact your mobile provider to disable two phone mode so you can use the Your Phone app.

If you have multiple profiles on your mobile device, the Your Phone app will only work if your mobile device is set to the default profile.

Provide feedback

We’re still actively working on making the Your Phone experience the best we possibly can and we welcome your ideas and insights.

On your Android device:

Open the Your Phone Companion app or the Link to Windows app, depending on your device.

Select the Provide Feedback option.

Open Your Phone > Settings > Help & Feedback.

Fill out the form with as much detail as you can provide.