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How to Set up and Use Microsoft's Your Phone App

Make calls and send texts from a PC with the Windows 10 Your Phone app

By Adam S. Doud Adam S. Doud Writer Adam has been writing about mobile technology since 2011. He is the former host of the Android Authority podcast, and his work has appeared in numerous publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 22, 2019 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apps Best Apps Payment Services This article explains how to download, set up, and use Microsoft's Your Phone app, which connects your Android phone and computer to share calls, texts, photos, and more.

How to Download the Windows 10 Your Phone App

To get started, you need to install an app on your phone and an app on your computer. We'll start with your Android phone. System Requirements: Your Phone requires a PC running Windows 10 April 2018 Update or later and a phone running Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later. Open the Google Play store and search for Your Phone. Tap Install for the app called Your Phone Companion—Link to Windows. Tap Open once the installation is complete. Tap Sign in with Microsoft. If you have already signed in to a Microsoft app (Outlook, OneDrive, etc.) anywhere else on the phone, you'll get the option to use the account that is signed in. Otherwise you will need to log in with your Microsoft username/password. Tap Continue. Tap Allow on the four permissions boxes that open.

Note

If you have ever had the Your Phone app installed before, rather than choosing allow for various prompts, you are sent to the apps list in Settings to allow the permissions via toggles. Tap Continue. Tap Exclude. Tap Show me.

How to Set Up Windows 10 Your Phone

Now it's time to set up your computer. Don't put your phone away though—you'll be back to it shortly. Sign into a Microsoft account on the computer, if you haven't already done so (though you probably have). Go to Start > Settings > Accounts and sign in with your username/password. If you have already logged into your Microsoft account, then you may continue to the next step. Click Start > Microsoft Store. Search for "Your Phone" in the Microsoft store, and then click the Your Phone app in the search results. Click Install. When the app finishes installing, click Launch. When the app opens, you'll need to switch to your phone. On your phone, you'll get a notification, asking you to allow the connection to your PC. Tap Allow. Back on the computer, click Notifications on the left hand side of the Your Phone app, then click Get Started. Back on the phone, tap the Your Phone Companion toggle in the notification access screen. Tap Allow on the next prompt.

How to Use Microsoft Your Phone

It's a fairly extensive process to get going, but now that everything is set up, you'll be able to make and receive phone calls, get notifications, receive and reply to texts, and even drag and drop photos from your phone to your computer. It's really powerful. Plus, it comes with an added bonus. When you are surfing the web on your phone in any browser, you can move that web page over to your computer. Simply tap Share > Continue on PC, then select the PC to which you want to send (if you have more than one set up). That web page will open on your computer's web browser. You can even push a notification to open the web page later if you want.

What Is Microsoft' s Your Phone App

This set of apps—one for your computer and one for your phone—brings calling, texting, photos, notifications, and other neat tricks to your computer. Your Android phone is your hub for communications and photography, so it makes sense that Microsoft would want to tap into those functions. Your Phone uses a combination of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to transfer a month's worth of text messages, your last 25 photos, and incoming notifications to your computer. It also supports incoming and outgoing phone calls. Everything is done locally. There is no cloud sync. There are no privacy issues and this complies with GDPR regulations in Europe. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Connect an Android to a PC How to Show Any Phone Screen on a Windows Computer How to Install and Use Microsoft Edge for Android How to Set Up a New Android From an Old Phone How to Use the Microsoft Family Safety App How to Run Android Apps on Windows 10 How to Install Microsoft 365 on Your PC How to Set Up and Use Meta (Oculus) Quest 2 How to Set Up a New Android Phone How to Bring the Windows 10 Experience to iOS and Android Is Microsoft Word Free? Yes, It Can Be OneNote Not Syncing? How to Get It Back Online How to Use Microsoft's Free PowerPoint Viewers How to Back Up Your Android Phone to a PC How to Download Music to Your Android Phone How to Turn off Incognito Mode Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies