File transfer using from iPhone to PC fails, works PC to iPhone.

Question

File transfer using from iPhone to PC fails, works PC to iPhone.

Steve Epperheimer 0

Why do I constantly have issues with 'Link to Windows' app. Seems my phone and PC are linked due to ability to receive text message from phone to PC, but can not share a photo/file from iPhone to PC. The iPhone shows my PC 'Name' in the file share screen of 'Link to Windows' but "File failed to send" displays when I attempt to share a photo from iPhone to PC. I am able to share a photo/file from PC to iPhone via 'My Phone' app , but not the other way; iPhone to PC.

iPhone - Link To Windows version; 1.26011.4

PC - Phone Link version; 1.26032.102.0

Win11 - version; 25H2

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2 answers

Answer 1

Anonymous

Hi Steve Epperheimer,

I understand you're able to send files from your PC to your iPhone via Phone Link, but sending from your iPhone to the PC fails with “File failed to send,” even though the devices are linked correctly.

Have you already tried the Q&A Assist suggestions? In addition, could you confirm:

Does it fail for all files, or only large photos/videos?
Are both devices connected to the same Wi‑Fi band (e.g., not 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz with isolation)?

On iPhone, file sharing through Link to Windows depends on background permissions and local wireless communication (Bluetooth + Wi‑Fi). Even if messaging works, file transfer can fail if permissions are restricted or the app cannot stay active. Please try these steps:

1, Check iPhone permissions for Link to Windows

On your iPhone:

Go to “Settings” > “Link to Windows”
Ensure these are enabled:
“Bluetooth”
“Local Network”
- “Background App Refresh”

Missing “Local Network” permission is a common reason for file transfer failures.

2, Keep the Link to Windows app open during transfer

Open Link to Windows on your iPhone before sending the photo
Do not let the app go to background immediately after tapping Share

(iOS may restrict background activity more aggressively than Android)

3, Reset iPhone network permissions

This can fix silent communication issues:

Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Transfer or Reset iPhone” > “Reset” > “Reset Network Settings”

This will remove saved Wi‑Fi passwords.

4, Test with a very small file

Try sending:

A small screenshot (not a large photo/video)

If small files succeed but large ones fail, this may indicate a current limitation or timeout behavior.

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Anonymous

2026-05-24T02:12:11.8766667+00:00

Hi Steve Epperheimer,

Have you had the chance to check my answer yet?

Please do keep me updated.
Bob Landolfi 0 Reputation points

2026-08-14T02:15:14.01+00:00
I'm not Steve, but same issue here. Can send from PC to phone consistently. Periodically iPhone to PC transfers work, and periodically they stop working. When this problem occurs, the iPhone will not send to any of the 25H2 Windows 11 PCs that are connected to this iPhone via Phone Link.

I have read and tested the answer above. Note the following:

The send failures occur with small as well as large files.

Both devices are connected to 5GHz and the same router

There is no place to specify Local Network in Link to WIndows app settings, only Bluetooth and Background App Refresh. My app version is 1.26072.13 8110024. Under Privacy and Security there is a setting called Local Network but Link for Windows does not appear in it. However, there is no place to add it, and in the past when it did appear in the list the transfers were failing even with the setting enabled.

I have verified that AP isolation is not turned on on router

Things I've tried:

Tried transferring a small file (fails with "File failed to send"). NOTE: I made sure the Link to Windows app was opened before doing this, but please explain how this direction is possible: "Do not let the app go to background immediately after tapping Share". Opening photos to share one of them pushes all apps to the background on the iPhone, so how could I prevent Link to Windows from going to background?

Turned off VPN (still fails as above)

Toggled Bluetooth on both devices (still fails as above)

Repaired Phone Link app on the PC (still fails as above)

Reset Phone Link app on the PC (still fails as above)

Reset network settings on iPhone (still fails as above)

Reinstalled Phone Link and Link to Windows (still fails as above)

Signed out and back into my Microsoft account on both devices (still fails as above)

Has anyone figured out what conditions are necessary for this to work or why it works when it does?
Kevin Relyea 0 Reputation points

2026-08-14T05:39:40.3466667+00:00
I'm having same problem. I can send files TO my iPhone from PC, but can not send any files FROM iPhone to PC.

1, Check iPhone permissions for Link to Windows

On your iPhone: "Settings” > “Link to Windows”

“Bluetooth” ENABLED

“Local Network” -NOTHING SHOWN IN LIST.

“Background App Refresh”- ENABLED

2, Keep the Link to Windows app open during transfer: Link to Windows automatically opens. select device shown. Get the "Failed to send" message almost instantly.

3, Reset iPhone network permissions- Followed the “Settings” > “General” > “Transfer or Reset iPhone” > “Reset” > “Reset Network Settings”- DONE

4, Tested: Does it fail for all files? YES

5, Are both devices connected to the same Wi‑Fi band (CONNECTED TO SAME NETWORK)?

6, Un-linked both devices. Re-paired phone and PC: No go with that done.

It was working 5 days ago, tried to transfer a file today....no go.
D J 0 Reputation points

2026-10-23T21:58:23.07+00:00

After installing the Link to Windows (phone) and Phone Link (computer), you need to restart your computer for the two sides to talk and transfer files and back and forth. I wish Microsoft would state that in the description of either or both software, it'd save so much headache.

Answer 2

Messages and basic connectivity working shows the link is established; the failure is specific to photo/file transfer from iPhone → PC.

Based on the provided information and available documentation, use these checks and workarounds:

Confirm app versions meet minimum requirements The Phone Link and Link to Windows apps must meet minimum versions to avoid feature issues. Verify:
- On the PC (Phone Link):
  - Open Phone Link → Settings → About.
  - Ensure the version is at or above the minimum required version listed in the Phone Link troubleshooting guidance.
- On the iPhone (Link to Windows):
  - Go to iOS Settings → Apps (or app list) → Link to Windows → Advanced (if available) → Version number.
- If either side is below the minimum required version indicated in the troubleshooting article, update from Microsoft Store (PC) or App Store (iPhone) and test again.
Re‑link the devices When a specific feature fails but others work, re‑linking can clear stale pairing data:
- On the PC: in Phone Link, sign out/unlink the iPhone.
- On the iPhone: in Link to Windows, sign out/unlink the PC.
- Then:
  - On the PC, start Phone Link and begin setup.
  - On the iPhone, use Link to Windows to scan the QR code or follow the on‑screen steps to relink.
- After relinking, test sending a single small photo from iPhone → PC.
Check network and router isolation settings File transfer requires both devices to communicate over the same network. If the router has AP/Wireless Isolation enabled, some features (like messages) may still appear to work while direct device‑to‑device transfer fails.
- Ensure both PC and iPhone are on the same Wi‑Fi network.
- On the router, look for Wireless/AP Isolation and disable it, as described in the Phone Link troubleshooting guidance.
- Reconnect both devices to Wi‑Fi and test again.
Use direct USB import as a workaround Until the iPhone → PC transfer via Link to Windows works reliably, photos can be imported directly:
- Connect the iPhone to the PC with a USB cable.
- On the iPhone, tap Trust/Allow when prompted.
- On the PC, use the standard Windows photo import workflow described in the “Import photos and videos from phone to PC” guidance for iPhones.

If the apps are at or above the required versions, the devices are on the same Wi‑Fi without isolation, and relinking does not resolve the issue, submit feedback from both devices so the behavior ("File failed to send" from iPhone to PC while PC → iPhone works) can be investigated:

On iPhone: Link to Windows → Settings → Help & Feedback / Send feedback.
On PC: open Feedback Hub and file a report under Phone Link.

References: