Link to Windows error: Resend as RCS message

Mike Williams 5 Reputation points
2026-08-13T12:20:36.03+00:00
  • I have Phone Link on Windows 11 and Link to Windows on a Pixel 10a with dual Sims. It used to work, but something changed and now when I send a message on the desktop, on the phone it says "Not Sent. Check Options [link]." Check OPtions leads to a choice of "Resend as RCS message" -- which seems impossible on the desktop -- and Delete, which doesn't help. What's happening, and how can I get it back the way it was?
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Connect Phone and PC

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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-13T12:20:55.2766667+00:00

    This behavior is consistent with an RCS-related mismatch between Phone Link and the phone’s messaging setup.

    Supported facts:

    • Phone Link does not support all RCS features. Typing indicators and read receipts are not supported.
    • RCS in Phone Link is supported only on select Samsung devices and supported mobile operator networks, and only when Samsung Messages is the default messaging app.
    • If a third-party app is being used as the primary messaging platform, some or all messages can be missing or not behave as expected.
    • Delays or sync issues can also happen if the network connection is slow.

    Given the Pixel 10a scenario, the practical way to get back to the previous SMS/MMS behavior is to focus on reconnecting Phone Link and removing conditions that interrupt normal message sync:

    1. On the phone, make sure Link to Windows is updated to the latest version.
    2. On the PC, open the Microsoft Store and update Phone Link.
    3. Confirm both devices are signed in with the same Microsoft account.
    4. Check that Battery saver is off on both the PC and phone.
    5. On Android, turn off battery optimization for Link to Windows:
      • Settings > Apps & notifications > App info > Link to Windows > Advanced > Battery > Manage Battery Usage > Battery optimization
      • Select Link to Windows and choose Don't optimize
      • On some devices: Settings > Apps > Link to Windows > Battery > Optimize battery usage > All > Link to Windows > Off
    6. On the PC, make sure Phone Link can run in the background:
      • Start > Settings > Privacy > Background apps
      • Ensure Phone Link is enabled
    7. On the phone, verify notifications are enabled for Link to Windows and Do not disturb is Off.
    8. If it still fails, unlink and relink the devices:
      • On Android: open Link to Windows > tap the Microsoft account under Linked Account > Account Settings > Sign out and unlink account > confirm Unlink
      • On PC: open Phone Link > Settings > Devices > Add new device and pair again
    9. If the issue persists after relinking, restart Phone Link on the PC.

    What is happening:

    • The desktop side is likely trying to work through a messaging path that now expects RCS handling on the phone, while Phone Link does not provide full RCS support in this scenario.
    • Re-establishing the Phone Link connection and ensuring the apps are updated is the supported recovery path in the available guidance.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Thomas4-N 23,265 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-16T13:34:56.41+00:00

    Hello Mike Williams,

    The message is likely related to the dual-SIM selection rather than a general Phone Link connection problem.

    Phone Link supports SMS and MMS on Android, but its RCS integration is limited to select Samsung devices. Your Pixel can use RCS through Google Messages, but Phone Link cannot resend the failed message as RCS through that integration.

    Try this:

    • On the Pixel, open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and set one SIM as the default for text messages.
    • Open Google Messages, open the affected conversation, select Details, and confirm it uses the intended SIM.
    • Open Link to Windows on the phone, then retry sending from Phone Link. If the phone asks which SIM to use, select the intended one.
    • If it still fails, temporarily disable the second SIM and test again.

    If sending works with one SIM enabled, this confirms the issue is the dual-SIM routing rather than the Phone Link connection.

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