How to Turn On or Off Always Open Phone Link Apps in Expanded Screen on Windows 11

Connecting your Phone Link app to your Windows 11 PC can greatly enhance your productivity by allowing seamless access to your phone’s notifications, messages, and apps directly from your computer. Sometimes, you might want the Phone Link app to always open in expanded screen mode for easier multitasking or to quickly view your phone’s content without switching between windows. Conversely, you may prefer to disable this feature to keep your workspace uncluttered. This guide walks you through the simple steps to enable or disable the Always Open Phone Link Apps in Expanded Screen feature on Windows 11, ensuring you can customize your experience to suit your workflow.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 11 PC with the latest updates installed
• Your phone linked to your Windows 11 device via the Phone Link app
• Administrative access to your Windows 11 PC (optional but recommended)

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Phone Link app on your Windows 11 PC. You can do this by clicking on the Start menu, typing “Phone Link,” and selecting the app from the search results.
2. Ensure your phone is properly linked to your PC. If not, follow the prompts to connect your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, depending on your setup.
3. Once the Phone Link app is open, click on the gear icon (Settings) usually located in the lower-left corner of the app window.
4. In the Settings menu, look for the option labeled “Open Phone Link in Expanded Screen” or similar. This setting controls whether the app always opens maximized or in a smaller window.
5. To enable Always Open in Expanded Screen, toggle the switch to the “On” position. This will ensure the app opens maximized every time you launch it.
6. If you wish to disable this feature and allow the app to open in its default size, toggle the switch to the “Off” position.
7. Close the Settings menu. The changes should take effect immediately the next time you open the Phone Link app.
8. Test the setting by closing and reopening the Phone Link app to see if it opens in expanded or default size, according to your preference.

Common Mistakes

• Not updating Windows 11 to the latest version, which can cause features to malfunction or not appear.
• Failing to link your phone correctly, leading to incomplete or missing options in the Phone Link app.
• Misidentifying the setting label, especially if your app version differs; always check for similar terminology like “Open in Expanded Screen.”
• Forgetting to restart the Phone Link app after changing settings, which may prevent changes from applying.
• Attempting to change settings from the wrong menu—ensure you are in the app’s Settings menu, not Windows display or multitasking settings.

Tips

• Keep your Windows 11 and Phone Link app updated to access the latest features and bug fixes.
• Customize the app’s appearance and behavior to suit your workflow — for example, set it to always open maximized if you frequently use it.
• Use keyboard shortcuts like Windows + Up Arrow to maximize the app window quickly if you prefer manual control over window size.
• If you experience issues with the app not remembering your preference, consider resetting the Phone Link app or reinstalling it.
• Explore other display options in Windows 11, such as Snap Layouts, to optimize how the Phone Link app appears alongside other windows.

Troubleshooting

If the Phone Link app does not open in expanded screen mode despite your settings, try the following steps:

1. Close the Phone Link app completely. You can do this via the Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and ending the app process.
2. Reopen the app and verify if the setting change took effect. If not, proceed to the next step.
3. Check for Windows updates by going to Settings > Windows Update and installing any available updates. An outdated OS can cause compatibility issues.
4. Reinstall the Phone Link app. To do this, right-click the app in the Start menu, select Uninstall, then download and install it again from the Microsoft Store.
5. Ensure your display scaling and resolution settings are standard, as unusual configurations can affect window sizing.
6. If problems persist, reset the Phone Link app by navigating to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, selecting Phone Link, and choosing Advanced Options > Reset.

Following these troubleshooting steps can resolve most issues related to the app’s display behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I set different preferences for different user accounts?

Yes, Windows 11 allows user-specific settings. Adjust the Phone Link app settings in each account to customize whether it opens expanded or not.

2. Will changing this setting affect how notifications appear?

No, this setting only controls the window size when opening the app. Notifications are managed separately within the app and system settings.

3. Is there a keyboard shortcut to toggle expanded view quickly?

Currently, Windows 11 does not provide a dedicated shortcut for this setting. You can manually resize or maximize the window using standard Windows shortcuts like Windows + Up Arrow.

4. How do I revert changes if I accidentally disable the feature?

Simply go back to the Phone Link app Settings and toggle the “Open in Expanded Screen” option back to “On.”

5. Does this setting work with all versions of Windows 11?

Most recent versions support this feature, but it’s best to keep your system updated to ensure compatibility and access to all features.

6. Can I automate opening Phone Link in expanded mode?

Not directly through Windows settings, but you can create a script or shortcut that opens the app maximized, or use third-party window management tools for automation.

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