Broken app

Question

It doesn’t even allow to manually add an app and or options to add an app just only scanning can’t scan what I can’t see

Answer 1

The described behavior indicates that the app’s UI for adding or viewing apps is not functioning correctly and only the scan function is visible. In similar cases where an app’s core UI is broken and standard in‑app options are missing, the effective resolutions in the provided material fall into two categories:

1. Repair or reset the app
   • Open Settings → Apps → Apps & features.
   • Search for the affected app.
   • Select it, choose Advanced options.
   • First try Repair (this keeps app data).
   • If the issue persists, use Reset (this may remove app data).
2. If repair/reset does not fix it, repair the Windows installation
   • In cases where a Windows app (such as Phone Link or app installation in general) remained broken after all app‑level fixes, the working resolution was a repair install of Windows. This keeps files and most settings but reinstalls system components that app UIs depend on.
   • A repair install is a “last resort” option and should be done only after backing up important data.

If the app still cannot show the list of apps or manual add options after repair/reset and general Windows repair, escalation to product support is required, as the issue is likely beyond configuration and into a deeper app or service defect.

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References:

• Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Windows app support tools
• Troubleshoot Apps in the Phone Link
• Phone Link giving a blank window when trying to add an Android device - Microsoft Q&A
• AppInstall - Microsoft Q&A