# Link to Windows

> Access your phone's notifications, calls, apps, photos & texts on your PC

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.microsoft.appmanager](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.microsoft.appmanager)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.microsoft.appmanager`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Microsoft Corporation
- **Category:** PRODUCTIVITY
- **Downloads:** 3,215,463,801
- **Rating:** 3.85 / 5 (1,287,869 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.26082.130.0
- **Last updated:** 2026-09-23
- **First published:** 2015-12-16
- **Publisher country:** US
- **Size:** 97 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-24
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.appmanager)
- **Website:** [http://www.microsoft.com](http://www.microsoft.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=248686](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=248686)

## Description

**Link to Windows** seamlessly connects your Android phone and Windows PC, allowing you to access your phone’s notifications, calls, text messages, apps, and photos right from the desktop. Simply install the Link to Windows app on your Android device and sync it with the Phone Link app on your Windows 10 or later PC.

Enjoy a unified experience where you can make and receive calls, read and reply to texts, manage notifications, and transfer photos or files effortlessly between devices. The extension supports advanced features like drag and drop, cross-device copy-paste, and using multiple mobile apps on your PC, especially with compatible Microsoft Duo, Samsung, and HONOR phones. Experience enhanced productivity by leveraging your PC's larger screen and input devices to interact with your phone's content seamlessly.

## Rankings

- #57 — Overall
- #67 — Productivity (Free)
- #1 — ctrl+m (windows)
- #2 — windows
- #6 — computer
- #7 — direct link

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE`
- `android.permission.AUTHENTICATE_ACCOUNTS`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADVERTISE`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_SCAN`
- `android.permission.CAMERA`
- `android.permission.CAPTURE_AUDIO_OUTPUT`
- `android.permission.CAPTURE_MEDIA_OUTPUT`
- `android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE`
- `android.permission.DETECT_SCREEN_RECORDING`
- `android.permission.DOWNLOAD_WITHOUT_NOTIFICATION`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_CAMERA`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_CONNECTED_DEVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PROJECTION`
- `android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS`
- `android.permission.GET_INSTALLED_APPS`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.KILL_BACKGROUND_PROCESSES`
- `android.permission.LOCAL_MAC_ADDRESS`
- `android.permission.MANAGE_ACCOUNTS`
- `android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.MANAGE_WIFI_NETWORK_SELECTION`
- `android.permission.MODIFY_AUDIO_ROUTING`
- `android.permission.MODIFY_AUDIO_SETTINGS`
- `android.permission.NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES`
- `android.permission.NFC`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES`
- `android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG`
- `android.permission.READ_CONTACTS`
- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.READ_MEDIA_IMAGES`
- `android.permission.READ_MEDIA_VIDEO`
- `android.permission.READ_MEDIA_VISUAL_USER_SELECTED`
- `android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE`
- `android.permission.READ_PRIVILEGED_PHONE_STATE`
- `android.permission.READ_SMS`
- `android.permission.READ_WALLPAPER_INTERNAL`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`
- `android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO`
- `android.permission.REQUEST_COMPANION_PROFILE_COMPUTER`
- `android.permission.REQUEST_COMPANION_SELF_MANAGED`
- `android.permission.REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS`
- `android.permission.SEND_SMS`
- `android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW`
- `android.permission.USE_BIOMETRIC`
- `android.permission.USE_CREDENTIALS`
- `android.permission.USE_FINGERPRINT`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.sec.ENTERPRISE_DEVICE_ADMIN`
- `android.permission.sec.MDM_CERTIFICATE`
- `android.permission.sec.MDM_SECURITY`
- `com.android.alarm.permission.SET_ALARM`
- `com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE`
- `com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE`
- `com.microsoft.AIExtensibility.provider.MANAGE_RESOURCES`
- `com.microsoft.appmanager.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`
- `com.microsoft.appmanager.knox.SUPPORT_PERMISSION`
- `com.microsoft.appmanager.permission.QS_TILE_PROVIDER`
- `com.samsung.android.knox.permission.KNOX_CERTIFICATE`
- `com.samsung.android.knox.permission.KNOX_CERT_PROVISIONING`
- `com.samsung.android.knox.permission.KNOX_ENTERPRISE_DEVICE_ADMIN`
- `com.samsung.android.knox.permission.KNOX_SECURITY`
- `com.samsung.android.mdx.permission.GET_INSTANT_HOTSPOT_EVENT`
- `com.sony.mobile.permission.SYSTEM_UI_VISIBILITY_EXTENSION`
- `com.xiaomi.aicr.AIExtensibility.provider.MANAGE_RESOURCES`
- `deviceExperiences.permission.BLUETOOTH_TRANSPORT_EVENT`
- `deviceintegration.permission.ACCESS_DEVICE_INTEGRATION`
- `deviceintegration.permission.BLUETOOTH_TRANSPORT_EVENT`
- `sec.android.permission.READ_MSG_PREF`

## Review summary

User reviews for Link to Windows show a split experience: some users rate it positively (good/excellent, love the app), while many report recurring issues. The most common negatives are instability in connections to PCs/phones, frequent or unpredictable connectivity failures, and notable battery drain. Privacy concerns and perceived spyware/malware are raised by some, along with compatibility problems on newer Android versions. USB/PC detection problems and QR/account sign-in problems also appear in multiple reviews, indicating core reliability and security concerns alongside some satisfied users.

### Pros

- Positive overall impression among multiple reviewers calling the app good or excellent
- Explicit expressions of satisfaction (e.g., "I love this app", "Nice Apps", "Excellent")
- Enthusiastic, emoji-filled praise signaling strong user satisfaction

### Cons

- Unreliable or frequent connectivity failures to the PC/phone (not connecting, failed to connect, random connections)
- Significant battery drain from using the app
- Privacy and security concerns (perceived spyware/malware)
- Compatibility issues with newer Android versions (reports of functioning on Android 10+ but failures on Android 13)
- PC/USB detection problems (not detecting USB, not accessing the PC)

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.microsoft.appmanager)