Windows 10: Phone link cannot connect to iphone calls

I have Phone Link on my Windows 11 desktop and link to Windows on my iphone. I have paired them but when I go into Phone link I have a button on the top left that says I am connected, I have my messages showing down the left side but when I press the calls button it says we cannot connect to your phone over bluetooth yet it IS connected. Please help

:)

 

Connecting my iphone

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

Connecting your iPhone to your new Microsoft Surface Laptop should be a straightforward process. If your laptop is mistakenly recognizing your iPhone as an Android device, here are some steps to resolve the issue:

Step 1: Install iTunes

1. Download iTunes:
   
   • Go to the Apple iTunes download page and download the latest version of iTunes for Windows.
     
2. Install iTunes:
   
   • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install iTunes on your Surface Laptop.
     
3. Restart Your Computer:
   
   • After installing iTunes, restart your Surface Laptop to ensure that all drivers and services are correctly loaded.
     

Step 2: Connect Your iPhone

1. Connect via USB:
   
   • Use the official Apple USB cable to connect your iPhone to your Surface Laptop.
     
2. Trust This Computer:
   
   • On your iPhone, you should see a prompt asking if you trust this computer. Tap Trust and enter your passcode if prompted.
     
3. Open iTunes:
   
   • Open iTunes on your Surface Laptop. It should recognize your iPhone correctly.
     

Step 3: Check Device Manager

1. Open Device Manager:
   
   • Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
     
2. Locate Your iPhone:
   
   • In the Device Manager, find Portable Devices. Your iPhone should be listed here as Apple iPhone.
     
3. Update Driver:
   
   • If it’s listed incorrectly (e.g., as an Android device), right-click on it and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
     

Step 4: Reinstall Apple Mobile Device USB Driver

1. Manually Install Driver:
   
   • If the automatic update does not work, you can manually reinstall the Apple Mobile Device USB driver:
     
     • Disconnect your iPhone.
       
     • Close iTunes.
       
     • Reconnect your iPhone.
       
2. Open Device Manager Again:
   
   • In Device Manager, right-click on the incorrectly listed device and choose Update driver.
     
   • Select Browse my computer for driver software.
     
   • Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers.
     
   • Select usbaapl64.inf or usbaapl.inf (depending on your system architecture) and click Open.
     

Step 5: Use the "Your Phone" App

1. Open "Your Phone" App:
   
   • Windows 11 includes the Your Phone app, which allows you to connect and manage your phone. Open Your Phone from the Start menu.
     
2. Set Up Your Phone:
   
   • Follow the prompts to set up your device. Make sure you select iPhone during the setup process.
     
3. Link Your iPhone:
   
   • Follow the instructions to link your iPhone. This may require downloading the Your Phone Companion app from the Apple App Store and signing in with your Microsoft account.
     

Step 6: Troubleshoot USB Connections

1. Try Different USB Ports:
   
   • Try connecting your iPhone to different USB ports on your Surface Laptop to see if it makes a difference.
     
2. Check USB Cable:
   
   • Ensure that you are using a genuine Apple USB cable. Sometimes third-party cables can cause connectivity issues.
     

Let me know if you need further assistance.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Phone Link with iPhone, currently no Bluetooth

Hi all,

I was very much looking forward using Phone Link now that I got myself to update to Win 11.

Unfortunately, my PC doesn't support Bluetooth. Hence following questions:

Is there...

1. an update coming where iPhone are able to pair via Wifi?
   
2. a possibility to connect the iPhone via USB / Tethering?
   
3. a way to solely receive and write messages via Windows on my iPhone, with no Bluetooth connection required?
   

If all of this is a no, what would be the easiest way to retrofit Bluetooth? Would any 3rd party USB Bluetooth adapter be sufficient? If so, could you suggest/recommend one?

Thank you very much

-Sebastian

 

I can pair my iPhone to Phone Link App on Laptop and receive messages and see call history but I can't answer calls.

I can make calls but then the computer redirects the call to my iPhone, I can't speak or listen through my laptop. In Phone Link App under devices the iPhone is listed but the Selected button is grey out. I have tried resetting and repairing the app many times. I've tried forgetting the Bluetooth devices on the iPhone and on the laptop. It will allow the call to be dialed and ended but it won't allow a connection. When Phone Link dials after a few seconds of try to connect it then switches to the iPhones internal speaker and if you try force the iPhone to connect to the Laptop the line just goes dead.

It used to work but then I tried to re-install Phone Link because the call quality was bad and I thought it could maybe be clashing with the WhatsApp App I installed on my Microsoft Surface 5 Laptop. NOW PHONE LINK is stuffed.