If you spend many hours in front of the computer, constantly picking up your mobile phone to see what has rung is a real nuisance. Ideally, notifications from your Android, tablet, or even iPhone should appear directly on your PC.so you can decide in a second whether something is important or can wait, without losing focus on what you're doing.
Today there are several ways to achieve this, from Microsoft's native solutions in Windows 10 and Windows 11 to third-party apps like Intel Unison or services like Pushbullet and parental control tools. Let's take a detailed look at how to sync notifications between Android devices, tablets, and PCs, what you need, how to configure it in each case, and what problems might arise. so that you have everything under control.
Basic requirements for syncing notifications between mobile, tablet and PC
Before you start installing applications willy-nilly, it's a good idea to be clear about what each system requires to function properly. Almost all notification synchronization solutions require a combination of a minimum system version, a stable connection, and some special permissions. which you will have to accept if you want everything to go smoothly.
In the case of Microsoft's native solution, Mobile Link (the old "Your Phone" app), the requirements are very clear. On your PC, you need Windows 10 with a relatively recent update or any version of Windows 11.The more up-to-date the system is, the better the integration will work.
On the mobile side, Your Android device must be running at least Android 10 for the most modern Link to Windows experienceAlthough in older configurations Microsoft provided support starting with Android 7.0. For integration with iPhone via Mobile Link, the minimum iOS version is iOS 15, and it is essential that the PC has Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) compatibility.
One point that is repeated on almost all platforms is the network. For Android, Microsoft requires that the phone and PC be connected to the same Wi-Fi network if you want a stable and fast experience. Sync files between Windows and Android This can be useful when you also need to move data from one device to another. Intel Unison also recommends that your PC and mobile device share the same network, and ideally, that both devices have an internet connection, since part of the data flow relies on the cloud.
As for Intel Unison, there's an extra layer: You need Windows 11 and, ideally, a laptop or desktop certified as an Intel EVO device.Your device doesn't have to be from the EVO range to install the app, but performance and stability are optimized for these types of machines that meet minimum hardware requirements.
Finally, we must not forget the permits. Android 13 introduces a runtime notification permissionIn other words, you'll have to explicitly authorize the app (Link to Windows, Intel Unison, or another) to access notifications. The same applies to file access on some Samsung devices, where the app may request "Full file access" to display photos and allow file sharing with your PC.
Sync Android with Windows using Mobile Link and Windows Link
The most complete integration between Android and a Windows computer is offered by Microsoft with its combination of applications Mobile Link on the PC and Link to Windows (or Windows Connection) on the mobile device. With these two pieces you can view notifications, reply to SMS and messages, access your photos, make and receive calls and, in some models, even open Android apps directly on the desktop.
The Mobile Link app usually comes pre-installed on most Windows 10 computers (starting with certain updates) and on virtually all Windows 11 computers. If you can't find it, simply search for it in the Microsoft Store and install it.On Samsung, HONOR and other manufacturers' mobile phones such as ASUS, vivo or OPPO, the Link to Windows app usually comes pre-installed or is accessible from the Google Play or Galaxy Store.
For everything to work, there are a couple of basic conditions: The PC and Android mobile device must be turned on, close to each other, and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.It is also recommended that you have previously logged in with your Microsoft account on Windows, as all pairing revolves around that account, which will be used to link the devices.
Linking your Android phone to your PC step by step
The standard linking process usually begins on the computer. In the search box on the taskbar, type “Mobile Link” and open the applicationIf this is your first time using it, the assistant will ask you to confirm your Microsoft account or sign in with it.
On your mobile device, you will need to have the Windows Link app installed (or Windows Connection, depending on how it appears in the store). From the PC's own assistant, you'll see a short URL like www.aka.ms/yourpc or www.aka.ms/yourphoneqrc to download the app. if you don't already have it on your Android.
Once installed, Open Link to Windows on your mobile device, and sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on your PC. and select the option “Link phone to PC”. The Windows wizard will give you the option to pair using a QR code: by checking “I have the app ready” and clicking on “Pair with QR code”, a code will appear on the computer screen.
Now you just have to Grant camera permission in the mobile app and scan the QR code you see on the PCAfter reading this, Android will ask for a series of additional permissions: access to notifications, photos, calls, SMS messages, and even all files if the model requires it (especially on Samsung). Accepting these permissions allows the content from your phone to be transferred to your computer screen.
If you already had Android devices linked to your Microsoft account, opening Mobile Link will show you a list and choose which one you want to actively pair with that PCIf there is no associated device, the assistant will take you directly to the QR code screen for you to scan with your mobile phone.
Install or enable Mobile Link on Windows 10 and Windows 11
On many recent computers, Mobile Link comes ready to use, but on others it may be uninstalled or not appear if the system is very outdated. Whereas in Windows 10 and Windows 11 you can activate Mobile Link from the Settings menu itself if for whatever reason you don't have it working.
In Windows 10, go to Settings, search for “Mobile tethering” and you will see an option like “Enable or disable Mobile tethering”. Activate the Mobile Link switch and accept the pop-up window that will invite you to install the application.The system will download and configure what is necessary in the background.
In Windows 11 the process is very similar. From Settings, type “Mobile Link” in the search bar and open the option to enable or disable the featureAgain, activate the button and confirm the installation when the notification window appears. In a few seconds, the app will be ready in the Start menu.
Once installed, the app will be updated frequently. Keeping your Windows system up to date is key to enjoying all its features, especially the most advanced ones like opening Android apps on the desktop or dragging and dropping files between devices.. Consult our Windows 11 performance optimization guide to get the most out of these features.
Activate and manage Android notifications on your PC
Once you complete the basic pairing, you will be able to see messages and photos, but to receive notifications on your PC you need to take an extra step from your computer. Within Mobile Link, look for the "Open settings on phone" option in the notifications section..
This will trigger a notification on your Android device from the Link to Windows app. Tapping it will take you to the menu where you manage app notification permissions. You must grant Link to Windows the "Device and app notifications" permission., or equivalent according to the manufacturer, so that it can read and forward the alerts to the PC.
On mobiles with Android 13 or higher, this permission becomes even more important. If you don't approve notifications for Link to Windows when the system prompts you, you'll need to go to System settings > Apps > Notifications > Link to Windows and enable the permission manually.Without this step, in Mobile Link you will see that notifications appear disabled and you will not be able to manage anything from the computer.
Once activated, you will start receiving virtually everything that appears in your mobile's notification bar on your PC: alerts from WhatsApp, SMS, emails, social networks, or notifications from system appsFrom many of them you can reply directly (for example, to WhatsApp or SMS messages) and if you dismiss a notification in Windows, it will also disappear from your mobile.
If the volume of notifications overwhelms you, Mobile Link includes a settings panel for filtering. From Settings > Features you can completely disable notification synchronization, or choose which apps send alerts to your computerkeeping only what is truly important.
Make and receive calls from your PC with your Android device.
Another strength of the integration with Windows is call management. In the "Calls" tab of Mobile Link you can initiate and answer calls directly from your computer, with your mobile phone acting as a bridge..
To activate it, go to the Calls section in the Windows app and click "Get Started." The wizard will tell you what's required. connect your mobile phone to your PC via BluetoothOn Android, you will receive a notification to enable device visibility and allow the computer to find it.
When both devices are detected, you will see a pairing code on the screen. Verify that the code matches on the mobile device and the PC, and accept the pairing.Additionally, you'll need to enable the option that allows your computer to access your mobile phone's contacts and call history. This is what allows you to see who's calling you and view recent calls.
It is likely that, after the initial pairing, Mobile Link will ask for additional permission to display recent calls and better manage communications. The program will send a notification to the mobile phone with a "Send permission" button, and when pressed, the screen where it can be accepted will open.Once everything is granted, you will be able to dial numbers from your PC, answer incoming calls, and view the call log without touching your phone.
Other useful features of Mobile Link with Android
Beyond notifications and calls, Mobile Link offers a range of extras that can save a lot of time. From the PC interface you can see the battery level, the strength of the mobile and Wi-Fi signal, and even activate or deactivate Do Not Disturb mode, Bluetooth or phone sound depending on the device.
If your mobile phone is a Samsung, HONOR or a compatible Microsoft Surface Duo, the integration goes up a level. On some models you can open Android apps in Windows windows, pin them to the taskbar, and drag and drop files between your phone and PCThese types of advanced features depend heavily on the manufacturer and software version, but when available they turn the mobile-PC combo into a very powerful tool.
In the Settings > Mobile Link Features menu, you can further refine the experience. There you define, for example, which folder on the PC the transferred files are saved in, whether you want to enable a remote audio player, whether you allow advanced clipboard management, synchronize the mobile wallpaper with the computer or authorize synchronization using mobile data when Wi-Fi is unavailable.
Samsung users have an additional relevant setting: the "All file access" permission for Link to WindowsThis permission is managed in Settings > Apps > three-dot menu > Special access > All file access. If you disable it for the Microsoft app, you will lose the ability to browse your photos and easily share files with your PC.
Mobile Link with iPhone: Notifications and Messages on Windows
For a long time, the integration between iPhone and Windows was quite limited, but Microsoft has been closing the gap. Mobile Link now allows you to pair an iPhone with your PC and display notifications, messages, and calls via Bluetooth connection., although with some restrictions compared to Android.
In this case, the basis is the same: you need a PC with Windows 10 (from the May 2019 update onwards) or Windows 11 and support for Bluetooth Low Energy. On your iPhone, you must have iOS 15 or later and, optionally, download the Link to Windows app from the App Storealthough pairing can be initiated simply by scanning a QR code.
The recommended workflow begins at the computer. Open Mobile Link, choose “iPhone” as the device type, and make sure your PC's Bluetooth is turned on.If the button is grayed out, it usually indicates that the Bluetooth adapter is disconnected or not compatible.
The assistant will generate a QR code that you must scan with the iPhone cameraPointing at the code will open the link needed to complete the setup and establish Bluetooth pairing. From that point on, Mobile Link and the iPhone system will work together to sync notifications, messages, and calls to the PC.
To take full advantage of all the features, after pairing you will need to enable several permissions on your iPhone: Share system notifications, allow notifications to be displayed, and enable contact synchronization.These options provide access to messages, notifications from compatible apps, and call history.
If at any point you want to unpair your iPhone from your PC, the process is simple and can be done on both ends. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to your computer's name, and select "Forget This Device."On Windows, go to Mobile Link, then Settings > My Devices, select your iPhone, and tap "Remove." This will disconnect the connection, and you can start over if needed.
When you want to resume synchronization after deleting the pairing from the Windows Bluetooth settings, there is an important nuance: Before initiating a new pairing from Mobile Link, you must also remove the PC from the iPhone's Bluetooth device list.Repeating the "Forget this device" step. Only then will the system allow you to link them again without phantom errors.
Intel Unison: alternative to synchronize Android and iOS with Windows 11
In addition to Microsoft solutions, there are third-party apps that allow you to centralize notifications and data on your PC. One of the most powerful and recent is Intel Unison. This application is designed to link your Android or iOS device to a Windows 11 PC, providing access to contacts, messages, call logs, photos, and notifications..
The philosophy is similar to that of Enlace Móvil, but with its own ecosystem. Intel Unison can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store on your PC, and from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your mobile device.On Android it requires at least version 9.0, while on iOS the minimum is 15.0.
Although, in theory, it is compatible with any PC running Windows 11, Intel optimizes it specifically for systems that meet the requirements of the EVO platform.Unison is a family of laptops certified to guarantee performance, battery life, and a good user experience. In fact, many Intel campaigns highlight Unison as one of the advantages of these machines.
The setup is fairly straightforward. On the PC, Install Intel Unison from the Microsoft Store and do the same on your phone.Activate Bluetooth and ensure both devices have an internet connection. When you open the app on your PC, you can choose to pair using a QR code or a numeric text code.
Once you enter or scan the code, You will see a second code on your mobile phone that must match the one displayed on your PC screen.If everything looks right, confirm the pairing. Next, your phone will ask for several permissions: access to notifications, the gallery, contacts, calls, and files, depending on the platform.
When you finish the assistant, the app displays an introductory screen with its main sections. From the left side you can access phone notifications, messages, image gallery, your contacts and the call functionalityYou'll also have a section for transfer files instantly between wireless devices.
In terms of similarities with the Microsoft solution, Unison and Enlace Móvil share almost all the key ideas. Both allow access from the PC to photos, messages, notifications and calls from the mobile phone, and both depend on compatible hardware and fairly deep permissions on the phone.Where they differ is in the integration with other services (Microsoft has shortcuts to its own ecosystem, Intel focuses on the experience on Intel hardware) and in the interface, which is somewhat more minimalist in Unison.
Intel Unison also lets you choose whether you want to synchronize information automatically or manually. In the settings you can define which data and which applications are included in the synchronization circuitAnd if you prefer to limit the size or volume of files that are transferred from one device to another depending on your plan or subscription.
Other ways to view Android notifications on PC: Cortana, Pushbullet, and parental controls
Although Microsoft and Intel's solutions are currently the most complete, there are other methods to bring Android notifications to the desktop. For a while, a popular option was to leverage Cortana on Android in conjunction with Windows 10. to replicate alerts between the mobile phone and the computer.
The trick was to install Cortana on the phone (officially available in some countries and via APK in others), Sign in with the same Microsoft account as on your PC and enable the “Sync notifications” option in the settingsWithin this menu, you could select “App notifications sync” and choose which apps you wanted to receive notifications from. On Windows, in Cortana settings, you had to ensure that the “Send notifications across devices” option was enabled.
This route was useful when Enlace Móvil was not yet so mature, but over time it has been relegated by the more modern solution, which is precisely Phone Link / Enlace Móvil. Even so, it clearly illustrates how these integrations rely on the Microsoft account and cloud synchronization..
For those who use Mac, there are also options. To sync notifications from an iPhone to a Mac, the natural method is to use iCloud and the Apple ecosystem.If both devices are connected with the same Apple ID, apps like Messages, Mail, Calendar, Reminders, or FaceTime will automatically sync their alerts and data.
If the phone is Android and the computer is a Mac, third-party apps like Pushbullet come into play. Pushbullet lets you receive mobile notifications on macOS, reply to messages, and see who's calling, all through a browser extension and an Android app.The sign-up process is simple: you register with Google or Facebook, install the app on your mobile, the extension in your browser, and grant notification permissions on Android.
There is also a different approach, specifically designed for parents: Parental control apps like AirDroid Parental Control allow notifications received on a child's mobile phone to appear on their parents' phones.This not only replicates alerts, but also adds monitoring features such as usage statistics, app blocking, and alerts for suspicious content.
In these cases it is important to be very careful with privacy and security. Parental control apps typically have access to virtually everything that happens on the monitored phone, so it's important to carefully review what permissions are granted, what data is synchronized, and for how long.Furthermore, if you also use a general notification sync app, there is a risk of duplicating alerts or creating a difficult-to-manage mess.
Advanced management of permissions, privacy, and common issues
All this magic of seeing on your PC what's happening on your mobile phone rests on a very clear foundation: You grant certain applications fairly deep access to your deviceThat's why it's crucial to understand what you're agreeing to and how you can revoke it if you change your mind. For specific measures in Windows, see our Windows privacy hardening guide.
The notification permission is the most obvious. Without access to the notification content, no app can forward alerts to your computer or allow you to reply from there.This includes both the text of messages and, sometimes, part of the content of email or social media notifications.
In Android 13 and later versions, these permissions are more granular and are requested at runtime, rather than being accepted all at once when installing the application. If you ever notice that Link to Windows, Intel Unison, or Pushbullet stop showing notifications, check in Settings > Apps > Notifications that the permissions are still active..
Another sensitive point is access to files. On certain devices, especially Samsung, the "All file access" option determines whether an app can view and manipulate all of the phone's storage.This means that if you grant access to Link to Windows, for example, you can easily browse your photos and send files to your PC. If you revoke it, the experience is reduced or limited to just a few folders.
Then there's the behavior of system functions like "Do Not Disturb" mode. With Android 15, Google changed how this focus mode is controlled, which may cause the "Do Not Disturb" switch in Mobile Link to not always respond as expected.In these cases, you need to go to Settings > Do Not Disturb > Modes or Schedules and check if another application or a system profile is managing the mode and blocking control from the PC.
As for typical synchronization problems, the most common ones have relatively simple solutions. If you notice that notifications aren't arriving, are delayed, or appear duplicated, first check that all devices have a stable internet connection and that you're using the same account (Microsoft, Google, or Apple) across all ecosystems..
Being outdated can also cause problems. An old operating system or an older version of Mobile Link, Intel Unison, or the parental control app can cause synchronization failures.Updating both the system and the apps usually solves many of these problems without needing to touch anything else.
And if the disaster is bigger (for example, the pairing between the mobile and the PC has broken), the classic remedy is to delete and start again. Remove the Bluetooth connection from both devices, turn Bluetooth off and then back on after a few seconds, remove the device from the app settings, and repeat the pairing wizard.It's a bit of a hassle, but it gets things back to a clean state.
With all these options on the table, the good thing is that you're not tied to just one solution. You can combine Mobile Link's native integration with Intel Unison, or rely on Pushbullet and parental control tools if you have more specific needs.The important thing is that you are clear about what data you are sharing, what permissions you are granting, and what the consequences of each setting are, so you can enjoy your synchronized notifications across Android, tablets, and PCs without sacrificing your privacy or peace of mind.
