Phone Link The file transfer status bar is not displayed on the PC (but everything else is working normally).

Cas Charn 0 Reputation points
2026-03-27T19:18:18.52+00:00

Phone Link The file transfer status bar is not displayed on the PC (but everything else is working normally).

The file transfer status bar is not showing on my PC (but everything else is working normally).

I want to see the file transfer status bar again, as I used to.

I don't know what happened or if I changed any settings.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Connect Phone and PC
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  1. Hendrix-V 20,225 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-03-31T02:05:17.2233333+00:00

    Hi Cas Charn,

    Thank you for reaching out.

    I understand that file transfers between your phone and PC are still working in Phone Link, but the file transfer status/progress bar is no longer visible as it used to be. This can happen when notification or app display behavior changes, even if no settings were intentionally modified.

    Please try the recommended checks below in order to restore file transfer visibility:

    1, Confirm Phone Link notifications are enabled

    • Open Settings > System > Notifications
    • Locate Phone Link and ensure notifications (banners and notification center) are turned On
    • File transfer progress and completion now appear through Windows notifications

    2, Keep the Phone Link app open during transfers

    • When transferring files (especially drag and drop), keep the Phone Link window open and visible
    • Minimizing the app may prevent the progress indicator from appearing

    3, Verify the transfer method

    • PC > Phone (Share option): progress appears via Windows notifications
    • Drag & drop: a brief in‑app progress indicator appears while the transfer is active

    4, Refresh the Phone Link connection

    • Open Phone Link and confirm your phone shows as connected
    • Ensure both devices are on the same Wi‑Fi network

    In current versions of Phone Link, file transfer status is shown through notifications and short in‑app indicators rather than a persistent status bar. Once notifications are enabled and the app remains open during transfers, progress visibility should return to normal.

    Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-03-27T19:18:33.05+00:00

    Phone Link does not expose a separate setting to turn the file‑transfer status bar on or off. When sharing files between PC and Android using Phone Link/Link to Windows, progress is surfaced through Windows notifications and brief in‑app indicators, not a persistent status bar that can be configured.

    To monitor transfers again, rely on these built‑in indicators:

    1. When sharing from PC to Android via the Share menu:
      • Right‑click the file on the PC and select Share.
      • Choose Phone Link in the share popup.
      • Ensure Windows notifications for Phone Link are enabled so progress and completion appear as toasts.
      • On completion, a Windows notification appears confirming the file was shared.
    2. When sharing from Android to PC via Link to Windows – Send to PC:
      • On Android, select the file, tap Share, then Link to Windows – Send to PC.
      • The Android share page shows the transfer progress; do not leave that page until it completes.
      • On the PC, a Phone Link notification appears when the file is received; selecting it opens the file or its folder.
    3. When using drag and drop / Phone screen:
      • Open Phone Link and the Phone screen view.
      • Drag files from the PC into the Phone Link window; a brief progress indicator appears for a few seconds.
      • If a red circle appears and no progress is shown, check:
        • Only one drag‑and‑drop transfer is running at a time.
        • No folders are included (only files).
        • Fewer than 100 files and each file is under the documented size limits.
        • The Phone Link window is not minimized; minimizing cancels the transfer.

    If transfers complete successfully and notifications are visible, there is no additional configurable status bar to restore; behavior is by design in current Phone Link versions.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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