Microsoft is rolling out Phone Link for iOS to all Windows 11 and iPhone users, with the rollout expected to complete by mid-May.
The Phone Link app is designed to enable users to connect from their PC to Android and iOS devices via a Wi-Fi connection.
“Today, we are excited to announce that Microsoft Phone Link for iOS on Windows 11 is beginning to rollout to our global audience in 39 languages across 85 markets,” said Ali Akgun, Corporate Vice President of Software Engineering for Microsoft Devices.
“We’re excited to begin a gradual rollout to our Windows 11 audience with all users enabled by mid-May.”
Users can pick their iPhones from the Phone Link for iOS app’s homepage. Next, they’ll be guided to pair their device by confirming a QR code on their PC’s screen.
After pairing and enabling the permissions required to sync contacts and notifications, you can see mobile notifications, keep up with messages, and make or take calls from your Windows 11 computer.
”Once enabled by the Windows 11 customer, Phone Link for iOS will offer basic iOS support for calls, messages and access to contacts,” Akgun noted.
“This means if your phone is tucked away during a presentation or focus time, you’ll receive notifications on your Windows PC and can choose which action to take – all on your Windows 11 PC.”
“Phone Link does not support replying to group messages or sending media in messages,” Microsoft Senior Program Manager Brandon LeBlanc added when Phone Link for iOS began rolling out to Windows Insiders in February.
Phone Link for iOS requires an iPhone running iOS 14 or higher, a Windows 11 device, a Bluetooth connection, and the latest version of the Phone Link app.
Phone Link replaced the Your Phone app last year, in March 2022, when Microsoft announced an updated user interface for Windows 11 and an easier way to configure it while installing Windows by scanning a QR code.
Microsoft unveiled the Your Phone app at the Build developer conference in May 2018, delivered it to Insiders in July 2018 with the Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17728 (Redstone 5) release, and officially demoed it during the October 2018 Surface event.