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Microsoft Phone Link can display Android apps in separate Windows 10 windows while those apps continue running on your phone. To open more than one app at the same time, you need Windows 10 at least at the May 2020 Update, Android 11, the required Phone Link and Link to Windows versions, and a select Samsung or HONOR phone. Most other Android phones are limited to one mirrored app at a time. Phone Link does not install Android software on Windows: it streams control and display of apps installed on the connected phone, so the phone must remain linked over Wi-Fi.
Can Phone Link run multiple Android apps on Windows 10?
Yes, but simultaneous windows are a device-specific feature rather than a capability every Android phone gets. On an eligible handset, choose several apps from the Apps panel in Phone Link and each can appear in its own resizable Windows window. The apps still execute on the phone, with the PC acting as the display and input surface.
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Microsoft’s support guidance ties multi-app support to Android 11 and select Samsung or HONOR models. If your phone is not on the supported list, Phone Link normally permits only one Android app window at a time, even when calling, messaging and notification features work normally.
What versions and hardware are required?
Check every requirement before troubleshooting. A current general Phone Link connection can require newer Windows and Android versions than the original multi-app feature, while the companion-app build numbers determine whether Apps appears and whether multiple windows are enabled.
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| Component | Requirement for multiple Android app windows | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 | May 2020 Update or later | Microsoft’s current general Phone Link requirements state Windows 10 October 2022 Update or later for the service overall. Install the newest available Windows 10 updates rather than relying on the older minimum. |
| Android | Android 11 | Android 10 or later can meet general Phone Link requirements, but Android 11 is required for simultaneous app windows. |
| Link to Windows | Pre-installed version 2.1.05.6 or later, or version 1.20104.15.0 or later | Some phones include the companion in system software; others require an installation or update from the Android app store. |
| Phone Link for Windows | Version 1.20104.20.0 or later | Update Phone Link through Windows or its app distribution channel before judging compatibility. |
| Phone model | Select Samsung or HONOR devices | Availability varies by model, mobile provider, market and software build. A supported brand alone does not guarantee multi-app support. |
| Memory | At least 8 GB of PC RAM recommended | This is Microsoft’s recommendation for best performance, not a hard installation requirement. |
| Network and account | Same Wi-Fi network; same Microsoft account in both apps | Using the same Wi-Fi band where possible can improve reliability. |
Because Microsoft’s supported-device catalog changes, verify the exact model and software combination before buying or resetting a phone. The catalog includes the Samsung Galaxy S23 and many other Samsung models, plus selected HONOR, OnePlus, OPPO, ASUS, vivo and other devices; the inclusion of a family does not mean every regional variant is enabled.
Which Android phones can open more than one app?
Simultaneous windows are currently documented for Android 11 phones in Microsoft’s select Samsung and HONOR groups. A phone can be listed as compatible with Phone Link generally yet lack the multi-app extension, so check the model-level supported-device list and your provider’s firmware.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11| Phone situation | Expected Apps behavior in Phone Link |
|---|---|
| Android 11 select Samsung or HONOR model | Can open multiple Android apps in separate Windows windows when all companion versions and regional conditions are met. |
| Android 11 phone outside the select list | Usually one Android app at a time; other Phone Link features may still function. |
| Android 10 phone | May satisfy general Phone Link connectivity, but not the Android 11 requirement for simultaneous apps. |
| Unsupported model, provider build or market variant | The Apps entry may be absent, or the phone may connect with one-app-only behavior. |
How do I set up Phone Link for multiple Android apps?
Use the following order so that an outdated component does not make a supported phone look incompatible.
- Update Windows. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, install available updates, and restart. Confirm that the Windows 10 build is at least the May 2020 Update; using the latest available build is preferable because general Phone Link support now lists the October 2022 Update or later.
- Update both companion apps. On the PC, open Phone Link and install its latest update. On Android, update or install Link to Windows. In the Link to Windows app, open its information or settings screen to check that it is at least 2.1.05.6 pre-installed or 1.20104.15.0, depending on how the phone supplies the app. Phone Link must be 1.20104.20.0 or later for the multi-app feature.
- Prepare the network. Connect the PC and phone to the same Wi-Fi network. If the router offers separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz names, put both devices on the same band when practical. Turn off a VPN or isolation setting temporarily if it prevents local-device discovery.
- Sign in consistently. Use the same Microsoft account in Phone Link on Windows and Link to Windows on Android. A mismatch can allow partial pairing but block app access.
- Start pairing on Windows. Open Phone Link from the Start menu, choose the Android phone option and select the QR-code pairing flow. Keep the QR code visible on the PC screen.
- Finish pairing on Android. Open Link to Windows, choose the option to link a new computer, scan the QR code, or select manual pairing if scanning is unavailable. Accept the requested permissions for notifications, contacts, calls and app access. Android may also ask you to allow the service to run in the background.
- Keep the connection active. Leave Wi-Fi enabled and avoid force-stopping Link to Windows. Battery-optimization rules that suspend the companion can close mirrored app windows.
- Open the Apps panel. In Phone Link, select Apps. Choose an installed Android app. On an eligible phone, repeat for another app; each supported launch appears in a separate Windows window.
How do I launch, arrange and pin the mirrored apps?
Launch more than one app
Select the first app under Phone Link > Apps, wait for its window to appear, then return to the Apps list and select a second app. Repeat for additional apps that the phone and app itself allow. The phone remains the execution device, so opening an app in Windows does not create a second Windows installation.
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Use Windows window controls
Move, resize, minimize and maximize each mirrored window like other Windows windows. Arrange them side by side for a chat beside a game, or use Windows snap layouts if the window exposes normal resize controls. Performance depends on the phone, Wi-Fi and the app; no Microsoft benchmark guarantees a particular frame rate or latency.
Pin frequently used apps
Phone Link lets you pin frequently used Android apps to its favorites and, where offered, to the Windows Start menu or taskbar. These shortcuts still launch the phone version; they are not native Windows executables.
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No. Microsoft describes the feature as access to apps installed on your Android device. The phone runs the app, sends its display to Phone Link, and receives input from the PC. Closing the phone connection, disabling the companion or taking the phone out of range ends that mirrored session.
Installation, sign-in, saved data and app permissions remain associated with the Android phone. If an app is absent from the phone, install it there through the phone’s normal app process before it can appear in Phone Link. Windows storage is not used for an Android APK through this feature.
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Why can I open only one Android app?
One-app behavior is usually a compatibility boundary, not a missing Windows setting. Work through these checks in order.
- Confirm the phone model. Multi-app windows are restricted to Microsoft’s select Samsung and HONOR devices. A newer Android version by itself does not make an unsupported model eligible.
- Check Android 11. Open the phone’s software-information page. Android 10 can support general Phone Link connectivity but does not satisfy the simultaneous-app requirement.
- Check all app versions. Verify Link to Windows is at least 2.1.05.6 pre-installed or 1.20104.15.0, and Phone Link is at least 1.20104.20.0. Update both sides and restart them after updating.
- Update Windows beyond the minimum. The historical multi-app floor is the May 2020 Update, while current general requirements list the October 2022 Update or later. Installing the latest Windows 10 updates removes this version ambiguity.
- Repair the pairing. Confirm the same Microsoft account and Wi-Fi network, then unlink and pair again if the Apps panel is missing. Re-approve permissions on Android.
- Check regional firmware. Provider-customized software and market availability can change the supported-device result. Compare the complete model number, not just the retail phone name.
- Do not confuse Phone screen with Apps. Phone screen is a broader mirroring mode with separate requirements, including Windows 10 October 2018 Update or later and DirectX 11 graphics support. It is not proof that the Apps panel supports multiple independent windows.
What controls and app limitations should I expect?
Phone Link supports a mouse, trackpad, keyboard, pen and touch screen, but Android apps decide which input events they accept. Some games and other touch-first apps require a touch-enabled PC; a mouse click or keyboard shortcut is not guaranteed to map to an on-screen control.
- Touch gestures, multi-finger controls and motion sensors may not translate correctly to a desktop pointer.
- Apps that depend on phone hardware, a protected display, DRM or a particular orientation can behave differently in a mirrored window.
- Audio, notifications and background behavior can vary by app and phone power-management settings.
- Keep the phone unlocked or awake when an app requires it, and do not enable battery restrictions that suspend Link to Windows.
For games, this setup is most practical when the title accepts mouse, keyboard or touch input and when a small amount of network delay is tolerable. It does not turn the phone into a native Windows gaming platform, and the available data does not establish a universal latency or frame-rate figure.
Can one PC use more than one Android phone?
Yes. Phone Link can associate more than one Android device with the same Microsoft account. In Phone Link settings, choose which paired device is active before opening the Apps panel. Only the selected phone supplies the current mirrored app session.
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What is the difference between Apps and Phone screen?
Apps launches individual Android applications in Windows-style windows and, on eligible phones, allows several at once. Phone screen mirrors a broader view of the handset and has its own Windows 10 and graphics requirements, including DirectX 11 support. A phone may qualify for one mode without qualifying for the other.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Android work profiles or multiple user profiles with Phone Link?
No. Phone Link does not support multiple Android profiles or work/school accounts. A personal profile may connect while a managed profile’s apps remain unavailable.
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Can I use a game controller with a mirrored Android game?
Microsoft documents mouse, trackpad, keyboard, pen and touch input, but does not promise controller compatibility for every mirrored app. Treat controller support as game- and phone-specific and verify it with the title before relying on Phone Link for play.
What should I do if the Apps button is missing after pairing?
First update Windows, Phone Link and Link to Windows, then verify Android 11, the exact phone model, the same Microsoft account and the same Wi-Fi network. If those checks pass, remove the pairing, restart both devices and pair again so Android permissions are requested afresh.
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Can I use Phone Link when the PC and phone are on different Wi-Fi networks?
The documented setup expects both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, with the same band recommended where possible. A different network can prevent discovery or make the mirrored session unreliable, so move both devices to one local network before troubleshooting app support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Android work profiles or multiple user profiles with Phone Link?
No. Phone Link does not support multiple Android profiles or work/school accounts, so apps in a managed profile may not appear even when the personal profile connects.
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Can I use a game controller with a mirrored Android game?
Microsoft documents mouse, trackpad, keyboard, pen and touch input, but does not guarantee controller support for every mirrored app. Compatibility must be checked with the specific game and phone.
What should I do if the Apps button is missing after pairing?
Update Windows, Phone Link and Link to Windows, confirm Android 11 and the exact supported phone model, then verify the same Microsoft account and Wi-Fi network. If it is still absent, unpair, restart both devices and pair again to refresh permissions.
Can I use Phone Link when the PC and phone are on different Wi-Fi networks?
The documented setup expects both devices on one Wi-Fi network, preferably the same band. Move them to a shared local network before diagnosing app compatibility.
The Bottom Line
Multiple Android app windows on Windows 10 are possible through Phone Link, but only with Android 11, current companion versions, the required Windows updates and a select Samsung or HONOR phone. For other devices, expect one app at a time and remember that every app still runs on the phone.
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