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Phone Link can't copy from Android and paste to Windows

njel256 70 Reputation points
2025-07-25T11:30:42.18+00:00

Suddenly I can't copy stuff from my Android phone and pasting it on Windows, but the reverse is still working. I've reinstalled the apps from both devices and nothing changed, it's like Link to Windows can't access the clipboard (but I see 'copied to Link to Windows Service' notification). Checked all the settings and I followed the instruction, but still failed.

The only changes I have is your regular update from Windows, nothing else. I'm using Windows 11.

Is there anyone else who have the same problem?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Connect Phone and PC

8 answers

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  1. Yin Kong Lee 15 Reputation points
    2025-07-29T17:25:20.2266667+00:00

    Why do the people replying on this site never actually read the description provided by the person asking the question? They've already emphasized that the reverse is possible: Windows can be copied across devices, but the phone can't be copied to Windows. This has been happening since the last Windows update. I'm having the same problem. Please don't reply with a completely unhelpful answer about turning on cross-device replication...

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Sumit D - IA 151.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-07-25T12:08:28.6733333+00:00

    Hi,

    I'm Sumit, here to help with your query on the Microsoft Q&A forums.

    Apologies for any inconvenience you are experiencing. I am happy to help you today.

    It seems like it is broken from Microsoft end.

    https://www.reddit.com/r/windowsinsiders/comments/1m886a5/phonelink_crossdevice_copy_pasting_broke_after/

    Standard troubleshooting steps from MSFT:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/seamlessly-transfer-content-between-your-devices-8a0ead3c-2f15-1338-66ca-70cf4ae81fcb

    First, make sure you have this feature turned on. On your PC:

    Open the Phone Link, go to Settings > Cross-device copy and paste, and make sure the toggle is On for Allow this app to access and transfer content I copy and paste between my phone and PC.

    If you tried to copy a large section of text and it didn’t paste on the other device, it’s likely to have exceeded the allowable amount. Try copying and pasting smaller sections between your devices.

    If the feature is already turned on but you’re still unable to copy and paste content, there may be a connection issue between your Android device and PC. Try closing both the Phone Link on your PC and the Link to Windows (pre-installed) app on your Android device. Reopen both apps — your most recent messages, photos, and notifications should be visible in the Phone Link on your PC if your connection is working normally. You should now be able to successfully copy and paste your content again. As a last resort, restart your PC and try again.

    Note: If you're using Microsoft Edge, make sure to update to the latest version of the Edge browser.

    By any chance, did you try syncing using Swiftkey keyboard? It is working OK for me.

    I hope you find this information useful. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Otherwise, please take a moment to rate the thread. Wishing you good luck!

    Standard 3rd party link disclaimer:

    There may be links to non-Microsoft websites that provide accurate and safe information. Watch out for ads on websites frequently classified as PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). There is no need to buy paid products to fix your computers, as they sometimes do more harm than good.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
  3. Bryan Assata 5 Reputation points
    2025-08-01T13:23:04.1066667+00:00

    I'm having the same problem, Android. I've used this app since "my phone" and have removed it, added it, tried it on other computers with the same version of Phone Link, still doesn't work. Ver. 1.25061.51.0

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Tomasz Sadowski 5 Reputation points
    2025-11-23T04:24:25.21+00:00

    ... have the same issue with Phone Link 1.25102.64.0, any workaround or solution?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. Flickerdart 5 Reputation points
    2025-12-05T16:29:10.32+00:00

    I had the same problem (can paste from Win 11 to Android but not vice-versa), which I've been able to fix by reinstalling everything:

    On Windows:

    • From the Start menu, search for Mobile Device Settings
    • Make sure "allow this PC to access your mobile devices" and "Phone Link" toggles are on
    • Click "Manage Devices", find your phone, and at the bottom of the toggles click Remove Device

    On Android:

    • Open Link to Windows in the Play Store
    • Hit the Uninstall button
    • After it uninstalls, the Uninstall button will be replaced with the Update button (not sure why that doesn't show up before). Tap that and it will reinstall the newest version of Link to Windows.
    • Open the reinstalled app and choose to login with QR code

    On Windows:

    • Generate a QR code in Phone Link (if, like me, you can't find where to do this, go to aka.ms/linkphoneqr in your browser, which will open Phone Link and generate a QR code). Scan this with your phone to complete setup.
    • Go back into Phone Link, go over to Settings, and re-enable Cross-device copy and paste

    After following these steps, the cross-device clipboard works properly again.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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