Phone Link not showing messages

Terry Guilford 0 Reputation points
2026-07-23T19:48:39.07+00:00

On both my Laptop Studio PC's Phone Link has stopped showing messages from my Android phone using Google Messages. I can't tell if it's a Phone Link problem or the Pixel Update to 17 on my Pixel 10 fold phone. Notifications work, and Phone Link allows a new message, but not the response shown on the Google phone. How do you fix the problem?

Surface | Surface Studio | Install and update
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  1. S.Sengupta 31,626 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-07-24T00:23:33.4933333+00:00

    Since this happened on both of your Laptop Studio PCs at the same time...

    That strongly suggests the cause is not the PCs. The common factor is your Pixel Fold running Android 17 (or a recent update to Google Messages/Link to Windows). If the problem began immediately after updating, it may be a compatibility bug.

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Force Phone Link to re-sync messages

    On your Windows PC: >Open Phone Link. >Go to Settings > Features > Messages.

    Turn Messages off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.

    Restart Phone Link.

    1. Check permissions on your Pixel

    On your Pixel: > Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Permissions

    Make sure it has:

    SMS

    Notifications

    Contacts (recommended)

    Also go to:

    Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Battery

    Set to Unrestricted.

    1. Reconnect Phone Link

    If messages still don't sync:

    On the phone:

    Open Link to Windows.

    Unlink your PC.

    On Windows:

    Open Phone Link.

    Remove your phone.

    Restart both devices.

    Pair them again.

    1. Clear the message cache

    On the Pixel:

    Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Storage & cache

    Tap Clear cache (not Clear Storage yet).

    Restart the phone.

    1. Update everything

    Check for updates to:

    Windows

    Phone Link (Microsoft Store)

    Link to Windows (phone)

    Google Messages

    Google Play System Update

    1. Test with another SMS app

    Temporarily make another SMS app (such as Microsoft SMS Organizer, if available in your region) the default.

    If Phone Link begins showing messages, the issue is likely specific to Google Messages after the Android 17 update.

    Switch Google Messages back afterward.

    1. Reset Phone Link (Windows)

    Go to:

    Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Phone Link > Advanced options

    Click Repair.

    If that doesn't help, click Reset.

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