Connect iPhone to Windows Computer and Manage Calls and Messages from Computer

You are using a Windows computer, but your phone is an iPhone.

Normally:

The phone rings → you pick up the phone.

Message appears:

You turn on the phone again.

Microsoft's Phone Link feature, you can connect your iPhone to a Windows computer and access some phone features from the computer.

According to Microsoft's current documentation, on supported iPhones via Windows:

• View and reply to messages
• Making and receiving calls
• See iPhone notifications

possible. Microsoft Support

Requirements

According to Microsoft's current requirements:

• Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer
• Bluetooth Low Energy support
• iPhone with iOS 16 or later

required. Microsoft Support

How to make the first connection?

On Windows:

Start → Phone Connection

app.

Phone type:

iPhone

select.

A QR code is displayed on the computer.

Scan this QR code with iPhone's camera. Microsoft Support

Bluetooth connection

Pairing is done via Bluetooth.

Therefore:

iPhone Bluetooth is on

and

Windows Bluetooth is on

.

Grant permissions on iPhone

After pairing, you need to grant the permissions requested by Microsoft.

Specifically:

Settings → Bluetooth → your computer name

via:

Show Notifications

and

Sync Contacts

can be used. Microsoft Support

Calling from the computer

In the Phone Link application:

Calls

section.

Search for the person's name or phone number.

Click the search icon.

The call is made through the iPhone but is managed through your computer. Microsoft Support

Answering incoming calls from the computer

As long as the iPhone Bluetooth connection continues, you can answer the incoming call via the computer.

This is especially useful for people who work in front of the computer for long periods of time.

Reading messages from the computer

Phone Connection:

Messages

tab.

You can create and send a new message. Microsoft Support

But there are significant restrictions on the iPhone side

According to Microsoft's current documentation, Phone Link for iPhone:

send/receive photos, GIFs and Memoji

. There are also limitations on group messages. Microsoft Support

So:

“I use all of iMessage on Windows.”

.

This system does not port Apple's iMessage to Windows.

Notifications

iPhone notifications can be streamed to Windows.

However, for this, the necessary Bluetooth and notification permissions must be turned on. Microsoft Support

Important for security

Microsoft, when you grant message permission to Phone Link:

sensitive information such as two-step verification SMS

also warns that it can be seen on the computer. Microsoft Support

Therefore, do not turn on this feature randomly on a shared computer.

What happens if the connection is lost?

If the Bluetooth connection is lost, the visibility of iPhone message history on the Phone Link side may be affected.

Microsoft states that the message history visible on the iPhone via Phone Link is related to the Bluetooth connection. Microsoft Support

Who is it most useful for?

Specifically:

• Desktop workers
• Laptop users
• Content creators
• Office workers
• Those who make too many phone calls during the day

.