Setting up photos in the Phone Link
Photos feature moved from Phone Link to File Explorer
With this change we are also introducing a longed ask to provide a better and more consistent experience, the Photos feature is moving from Phone Link to File Explorer. This allows us to deliver improved capabilities and support for all users.Â
The Photos feature in Phone Link is moving to File Explorer on Windows 11. You’ll now find your mobile device’s photos in File Explorer instead of the Photos tab in Phone Link.
What does this mean for you?
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You can view, organize, and manage your mobile device's photos alongside other files in one familiar place.
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Enjoy your photos in their original quality - no image quality limitations.
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File Explorer gives you options like copy, paste, drag-and-drop, and batch actions for easier organization.
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You now have access to all your mobile device's folders - not just the camera roll.
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You can access richer media types, like videos and audio files saved on your mobile device.
How do I access my photos now?
Make sure Show mobile device in File Explorer is enabled. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Mobile devices > Manage mobile devices on your PC and toggle it on.
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Open File Explorer on your Windows PC.
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In the left pane, see and select your mobile device.
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Navigate to the Camera folder - or any other folder - to view your photos and other files.
Important:Â Photos, videos, and other files accessed through File Explorer are online-only files. If you delete a file from File Explorer, it will be permanently removed from your linked mobile device. To keep any files, make sure to copy, paste, drag and drop, or use "Save As" to store them on your PC before deleting them from File Explorer.
Make emailing photos to yourself a thing of the past. While setting up the Phone Link , you'll be prompted to enable access to your Android device's photos, but if you choose not to at that point, you can always turn it on later in the Phone Link  settings. Â
To do this, open the Phone Link , go to Settings > Features > Photos and turn on the toggle for Allow this app to show photos from my phone. Â
If your photos aren't syncing properly, our troubleshooting tips may help. If you encounter other issues with photos, try these troubleshooting tips.
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