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Hello,
I've been having trouble with my Phone Link, specifically the text messages part of the App.
The messages tab will stop updating all conversations. If your notifications are set up to show text messages, you can usually see what people send you there, but you cannot really track what people are saying past that or if they are even receiving your messages.
Resetting the device connection seemingly makes the Messages Tab work for a day or two, and the conversations are updated before it eventually stops again. I go to Settings > Devices > and remove the device before re-adding it. But as I said it will stop working again and you will have to repeat the process again if you want to do any texting from Phone Link.
I've spoken to a few others who have had this issue and I've browsed some of the forums, but haven't found a solution.
In the past month since this started occurring I haven't personally changed any of my phone's or my PC's Windows settings, and all three are currently up to date.
Phone: Samsung S10e, Android Version 12
PC: Windows 10
Phone Link Version: 1.24061.93.0
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Like the original poster above, I've also tried resetting the connection settings. It doesn't work. And since Phone Link doesn't show up in the Installed Apps list. we can't reset or uninstall/re-install.
Mine's been working fine for the last year or more... with the same phone... and now I'm having the same problem described above. So this is not a phone compatibility issue. Unless MS made an update to render one of the country's most popular phones (Samsung Galaxy S23+) incompatible.
I've been having the same problem for the last few months with a Galaxy S20FE. I had no problems for years before that with the same phone. Reporting on feedback does nothing.
Actually, I installed messages.google.com as a web app and use it on my PC instead. It works great and has built in RCS messaging. I keep a link on my taskbar. I would rather use Phone Link but until they fix it, this option is more reliable.
Also, the whole idea that I need to get permission from my phone each time I want to access an app or a notification is maddening anyhow. If my computer is already paired with the phone the extra security is pointless. I mostly use Phone Link for messaging and picture access anyway. With this latest messaging bug, it's become even less useful.
In reference to "And since Phone Link doesn't show up in the Installed Apps list. we can't reset or uninstall/re-install"...
In the Start Menu ("All Apps" section only) you can right click on the Phone Link app and select 'MORE> App Settings'. That will get you to the advanced setting for the Phone Link app.
There you will find the Repair/Reset App options etc.
I will say (having the same problem as yourself) that the reset will get it working but only for a short time. Then the problem returns randomly.
I am a long-time user myself, so this is very disappointing.
Phone: Samsung Galaxy S20+, Android Version 13
PC: Surface 11 Pro / Windows 11 Pro (24H2)
Phone Link Version: 1.24071.83.0
I have also been having this issue. I have been using Phone Link (and prev versions) for over 4 years.
The problem started in July, leading me to believe it was with an update. As mentioned above: the right 'Messages' pane will not update. I see new message notifications in the left pane, but I don't see them reflected in the right pane, no matter how much refreshing I do. Older messages are still in the right pane - but not any new ones. I am unable to view those message threads.
Of Note: I am able to send New Messages from this Pane - but any incoming history/thread is missing.
Its worth noting that other Tabs do still update - Pictures, Apps, etc - just not the Messages Tab. I have confirmed I can take a picture - and have it show up in the Photos Tab.
Also of Note: Certain Windows11 Desktop Notifications stop working with this failure.
For Example: you no longer get W11 Desktop Notification for New Message. Big issue for me; this breaks the recently released 'copy OTP text' functionality (for 2FA) that MS released as a feature (and it was quite handy when it worked).
Note: W11 Desktop Notifications for New Picture Taken have also stopped working commensurate with this issue. However, Desktop Notifications for New Email still work - which is strange. So the Bug seems to affect portions of the Phone Link Functionality (not all).
So far, I think it's a bug from a recent release and will need an update to fix.
I have reset Phone Link and re-added by Phone again. The first time it worked for ~week, then the same issue above re-occurred. I have just reset Phone Link for the 2nd time and will see how long this lasts.
UPDATE 8/7/2024 - The 2nd Reset on 7/31 has now stopped working again. ~1 week after resetting Phone Link and reconnecting Phone - the same Messages Pane Failure happens again. The failure is identical to the prior issue discussed above. So, something happens with the app a short time after you reset it - that causes the Message Pane to no longer work.
Also as above - certain WIN11 Desktop Notifications stop working again once this happens.
PC: MS Surface Pro 8 with the latest W11 23H2 Rel 22631.3958
Phone: Samsung S21FE with the latest One UI OS.
Phone Link: Ver 1.24071.86.0
