W11 Phone Link - Android Link to Windows, Dual SIM problems?

Question

W11 Phone Link - Android Link to Windows, Dual SIM problems?

Mike Williams 5

windows 11 phone link, with android link to windows dual SIM, does not show sent texts that are actually sent. Weirdly, I have a second Windows 11 system in my office, and it works fine there. I'm inclined to believe this is a problem with my local machine settings.

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Hi Mike

I think the behavior you’re seeing with Phone Link and dual SIM is usually tied to local app or system settings rather than the Android side. Since it works fine on your other Windows 11 machine, that points to something specific on this PC. First thing I’d check is whether the Phone Link permissions are fully enabled (notifications, SMS access, background activity). Also make sure the Link to Windows app on your Android is updated and paired cleanly sometimes re‑pairing clears sync issues. On the Windows side, try resetting the Phone Link app cache or reinstalling it, since corrupted local data can block sent messages from showing. Another common fix is toggling off/on the “Messages” sync option in Phone Link settings, then restarting both devices. If you’re using dual SIM, confirm that the default SIM for SMS is set consistently, because mismatches can confuse the sync.

If this explanation helps you and get your texts showing properly, please hit “accept answer” so we know the response was useful and let me know if you need any assintance.

Answer 2

Phone Link can fail to show sent texts when the phone is using a third-party messaging app as the primary messaging platform. Phone Link supports regular SMS/MMS as expected, but message visibility can differ when RCS or another messaging platform is involved.

For Android, the most relevant checks are:

Update both apps.
- On the PC, open Phone Link and go to Settings > About > Check for updates.
- On the Android device, open Link to Windows and go to Settings > Check for updates or About Link to Windows > Check for updates.
Confirm the phone is using a supported messaging path.
- If a third-party messaging app is the primary messaging platform, some or all messages may be missing in Phone Link.
- For Samsung devices, RCS support in Phone Link is only available on select Samsung devices and operator networks, and only when Samsung Messages is the default messaging app.
- RCS features such as typing indicators and read receipts are not supported.
Reconnect the phone to the affected PC.
- On the Android device, open Link to Windows.
- Select the Microsoft account under Linked Account.
- Go to Account Settings > Sign out and unlink account.
- Confirm Unlink.
- On the PC, open Phone Link.
- Go to Settings > Devices > Add new device.
- Complete pairing again.
If the device shows as not found or asks for QR reconnection, use the QR flow.
- Open the camera on the phone.
- Scan the QR code shown in Phone Link on the PC.
- Complete the prompts on both devices and sign in with the Microsoft account.
- If needed, select the refresh button next to the connection status in Phone Link.
Check sync conditions on the affected PC and phone.
- Both devices should be turned on and connected to the Internet.
- For the fastest and most reliable connection, both should be on the same trusted Wi‑Fi network.
- Battery saver should be Off, because it can interfere with important app notifications.

Because the second Windows 11 PC works correctly, the most likely supported causes from the available guidance are:

the affected PC needs Phone Link updated,
the link between that PC and the phone needs to be removed and added again,
or the phone’s messaging setup differs from what Phone Link can fully display.

If the phone uses dual SIM and sent texts are missing only on one PC, the available guidance does not document a dual-SIM-specific setting in Phone Link. The best supported path is to update both apps and fully unlink/relink only the affected PC connection.