Windows 10: Microsoft Phone Link Adds Remote PC Lock From Android Phones

Microsoft has introduced a remote locking feature for Windows PCs within the Phone Link app on Android. With this update, users can lock their PC with a single tap from their phone, even if they’ve walked away from the computer.

The feature is currently available only on Android and works automatically when both the phone and PC run the latest version of Phone Link. This change addresses a common issue where users forget to lock their PC when leaving in shared work environments.

How the New Remote PC Lock in Phone Link Works


When you open the Phone Link app on a paired Android device, you will see a Lock PC option. Tapping this option will lock your PC within a few seconds.

Once the lock command is sent, the Phone Link app disconnects automatically, and you'll need to unlock the PC manually to reconnect.

This feature does not require any additional setup. As long as both your Windows PC and Android phone are running the latest versions of Phone Link, the Lock PC option will appear automatically.

How to Manage Remote Lock and How It Compares to Dynamic Lock


Users who want to disable remote locking, perhaps to avoid accidental locks, can do so through Windows Settings. To do this, open Settings on your Windows PC, then navigate to Bluetooth and devices, followed by Mobile devices. Select your paired phone from the list, and toggle the Remote PC controls option to turn the feature on or off.

Windows has long included Dynamic Lock, a feature that automatically locks the PC when a paired phone disconnects via Bluetooth. The new Phone Link option serves a similar purpose but with some key differences.

Phone Link offers several advantages:

• The PC locks only when the user explicitly presses the button, removing any uncertainty about whether the lock has occurred.
• The Lock PC button is grayed out when the phone isn’t connected, providing clear feedback on its availability.
• Phone Link operates over Wi-Fi, so Bluetooth does not need to stay on constantly, which helps conserve phone battery.

Dynamic Lock has its own benefits: It works automatically when the user walks away. It can be useful for users who do not already have Phone Link installed and configured.

For those already using Phone Link for features such as cross-device notifications, file transfers, or the recently added Apple Messages support, the new Lock PC option offers explicit, on-demand control. Users who do not use Phone Link in other ways might find Dynamic Lock simpler to set up.

iOS Status, Availability, and Who Benefits Most From Remote PC Lock


The remote lock feature is currently available only on Android. Microsoft has not indicated whether this option will be added to Phone Link for iPhone.

Since Apple restricts third-party access to iMessage and other system features, the iPhone version has more limited integration with Windows.

The recent addition of Apple Messages support on iPhone Phone Link shows Microsoft is continuing to develop iOS integration, but the Lock PC feature is not yet included in that effort.

The Lock PC feature is now rolling out with the latest updates to the Phone Link app. Users should make sure both the Windows app and the Android Phone Link companion are updated through the Microsoft Store and Google Play Store, respectively.

Once both apps are on the required versions, the feature will appear automatically. For those who work frequently in shared offices, co-working spaces, or open-plan environments where forgetting to lock the PC can pose a security risk, this new feature offers a quick way to secure the device without having to return to the desk.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft Phone Link Adds Remote PC Lock From Android Phones appeared first on gHacks.

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Phone Link on Android

No. I link my phone to my computer with MyPhoneExplorer and have done so for a decade with different computers & different phones. MyPhoneExplorer links Windows computers and Android phones reliably - TenForums Best of luck, Denis

 

Phone Link on Android

Hi Folks, I know this might be off the beaten track. Do you or have you ever used Link to Windows - Phone Link on an Android Phone.

 

Phone Link on Android

nope