How to Remove Phone Link from Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 16, 2025

Have you noticed the Phone Link app (previously called Your Phone) sitting on your Windows 11 PC and wondered if you really need it? While Phone Link helps connect your Android or iPhone with your computer for calls, texts, and app notifications, not everyone finds it useful. If you don’t plan on syncing your phone, you may prefer to remove it to save space and keep your system clutter-free.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to remove Phone Link from Windows 11 step by step, covering different methods—from the Settings app to PowerShell commands—so you can choose the one that works best for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Phone Link is a built-in Windows 11 app that connects your phone to your PC.

  • You can’t always uninstall it directly from the Start Menu, but there are several effective methods.

  • Options include using Windows Settings, PowerShell, third-party uninstallers, or Group Policy Editor.

  • Removing Phone Link is safe, reversible, and won’t affect other core Windows features.

What Is Phone Link in Windows 11?

Phone Link is Microsoft’s companion app for syncing your smartphone with your PC. It allows you to:

  • Make and receive phone calls.

  • Send and receive SMS messages.

  • Mirror your phone’s notifications.

  • Access recent photos from your device.

While this sounds handy, not everyone needs this feature. If you rarely connect your phone or prefer third-party apps, uninstalling it can simplify your workflow.

Why Remove Phone Link from Windows 11?

Here are a few common reasons users decide to uninstall the app:

  • You don’t use it — Phone Link might be taking up space without providing value.

  • Privacy concerns — Some users don’t like their phone data syncing with Windows.

  • Performance optimization — Removing unused apps can improve system responsiveness.

  • Decluttering — If you prefer a clean Start Menu, uninstalling bloatware helps.

How to Remove Phone Link from Windows 11: Step-by-Step Methods

Let’s explore multiple ways to get rid of Phone Link safely.

Method 1: Uninstall Phone Link from Settings

The easiest way to try is via the Windows Settings app.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.

  3. Scroll down or use the search bar to find Phone Link.

  4. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) next to it.

  5. Select Uninstall and confirm.

👉 If the Uninstall button is greyed out, try one of the other methods below.

Method 2: Remove Phone Link Using Start Menu

Sometimes, the app can be removed directly from the Start Menu.

Steps:

  1. Press the Windows key and type Phone Link.

  2. Right-click the app.

  3. Select Uninstall.

If Windows blocks the uninstall here, move on to PowerShell.

Method 3: Uninstall Phone Link via PowerShell

PowerShell gives you deeper control over pre-installed apps.

Steps:

  1. Right-click the Start button and choose Windows Terminal (Admin).

  2. In the window, type the following command and press Enter:

    Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.YourPhone -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage

  3. Wait for the process to complete.

  4. Restart your PC to apply changes.

💡 Note: This completely removes Phone Link for all users on the PC.

Method 4: Use Group Policy Editor (Pro/Enterprise Versions Only)

If you’re running Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can disable Phone Link through the Group Policy Editor.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Privacy

  3. Find Let Windows apps access phone features.

  4. Double-click it and set it to Disabled.

  5. Apply changes and restart your PC.

Method 5: Remove Phone Link with Third-Party Uninstaller Tools

If you prefer an easier one-click method, third-party tools like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller can help.

Steps:

  1. Download and install a trusted uninstaller tool.

  2. Search for Phone Link in the list of apps.

  3. Select it and click Uninstall.

  4. Choose to remove leftover files and registry entries for a clean uninstall.

What Happens After Removing Phone Link?

Once you uninstall the app:

  • You’ll lose the ability to connect your phone with Windows 11 directly.

  • No more notifications, messages, or calls synced between PC and mobile.

  • System performance may slightly improve if your device was running background Phone Link processes.

If you change your mind, you can always reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.

How to Reinstall Phone Link in Windows 11

Reinstalling Phone Link is simple:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store app.

  2. Search for Phone Link.

  3. Click Install.

  4. Once installed, you can launch it from the Start Menu.

Troubleshooting: Issues When Removing Phone Link

  • Uninstall option is missing → Use PowerShell or a third-party tool.

  • Phone Link still appears after uninstall → Restart your PC or clear residual files with an uninstaller.

  • Error running PowerShell command → Ensure you’re running PowerShell as an administrator.

Comparison of Methods

Method Difficulty Works on Home Works on Pro/Enterprise Reversible
Settings App Easy ✅ ✅ ✅
Start Menu Easy ✅ ✅ ✅
PowerShell Medium ✅ ✅ ✅
Group Policy Editor Medium ❌ ✅ ✅
Third-Party Uninstallers Easy ✅ ✅ ✅

Best Practices After Uninstalling Phone Link

  • Restart your PC to remove any background processes.

  • Clear residual files using a cleanup tool.

  • Keep a backup of your system in case you want to restore pre-installed apps.

  • Download Phone Link again from the Microsoft Store if needed.

Conclusion

Removing Phone Link from Windows 11 is completely possible, whether you’re using the Settings app, PowerShell, or third-party uninstallers. If you don’t need phone-to-PC integration, uninstalling it can declutter your system and improve performance. And don’t worry—you can always reinstall it later through the Microsoft Store.

So now that you know how, are you ready to take control of your PC’s apps and make Windows 11 work your way?

FAQs About Removing Phone Link in Windows 11

1. Is it safe to remove Phone Link from Windows 11?
Yes, uninstalling Phone Link is safe and won’t affect other Windows features.

2. Can I reinstall Phone Link later?
Absolutely! Just download it again from the Microsoft Store.

3. Why can’t I uninstall Phone Link from the Start Menu?
Some system apps require PowerShell or Settings to fully remove.

4. Will uninstalling Phone Link free up space?
Yes, though it only frees up a small amount of disk space.

5. Does removing Phone Link improve performance?
Slightly—since background syncing processes are disabled.

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