Phone Link App broken, won't open

Hi nolan_vode,

Thanks for choosing Microsoft Community.

In your description, you are not able to open or use Phone Link properly.

I noticed that a lot of screenshots were provided for us. I do understand the frustration of not being able to use Phone Link properly at the moment.

Even though Phone Link is the default application, it is still available for download through the Microsoft Store.

Have you tried the program in the thread you provided?

If not, please refer to the following steps to uninstall Phone Link using PowerShell

1 Search for “Windows PowerShell” in the taskbar search box, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.

2 Enter the following command

Get-AppxPackage *YourPhone* | Remove-AppxPackage

3 Then click the link below to download and install Phone Link via your browser, you can also search and download it from Microsoft Store.

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nmpj99vjbwv?utm_source=technave&hl=en-us&gl=en-us

If you are still having problems, you can refer to the following link to create a new local administrator account

Manage user accounts in Windows - Microsoft Support

In the new local account, check if Phone Link is working properly.

If you still can't use Phone Link, I'll provide you with a thread where users are having problems with the Paint 3D app. One of the volunteer moderators provided a link to download an older version of the default app, you can search for Phone Link in that link and try the older version to see if you have the same problem.

How do I add Paint 3D to the open with menu choices in Windows - Microsoft Community

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Best regards,

Zev - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hello Zev,

I followed your instructions. Unfortunately, for me those steps were just a repetition of the eventual failures I experienced with the Windows Store version before Phone Link was built in, but with added wrinkles

Along the way in the activating process, all those five identical, disconnected accounts became connected at one point, and then seconds later became disconnected once again, switching back and forth like that several times, until finally, permanently reverting back to disconnected.

I may be wrong, but it isn't hard to imagine the presence of five identical disconnected accounts must be a the root of this. Isn't there any way to investigate how they got that way, and most importantly, how to get rid of them?

I didn't want to clutter the thread with a bunch of screenshots, but if you like I've got about a dozen more from both PC and phone chronicling the steps.

I tried creating another user account, but it was just a mess.

Is there a way to troubleshoot the Phone Link?

Can you direct me to that thread you mentioned?

Hi nolan_vode,

Thank you for your reply.

I'm sorry to learn that my program didn't help you.

You mentioned that there was no relief for you in another account either.

Is the same problem happening in this one?

Could you please also check if there are any new updates for Windows that need to be installed, and also, check if the connection to Windows on your phone needs to be updated.

If you can, you can also try creating a new Microsoft account, check to sign in with the new Microsoft account, and then see if Phone Link connects properly.

Then please uninstall your current Phone Link and try the link provided by the volunteer moderator in the link I provided for you earlier and look for an older version of Phone Link in there.

Please try the above scenario again and let me know the result.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Best regards,

Zev - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

I tried everything. Did you see the latest reviews of that older version? Mostly complaints like mine. Confusion.

For instance, look at this. Click on one of those "disconnected" items, and it brings you here. There is no "Mobile Devices" option in that section of the windows settings..

Hi nolan_vode,

Thanks for your reply.

I'm sorry to hear that there are some issues with both older and newer versions of Phone Link.

Have you tried logging into Phone Link with a new Microsoft account?

Also, the current issues with Phone Link should really be noted and taken seriously by the development team.

Microsoft attaches great importance to user experience, you can submit your ideas and suggestions through the Feedback Hub, and the development team will regularly review submissions for ideas or fixes.

Please share the feedback link here after submitting as it will allow others on the forum to vote for your submission, including me. More votes will lead to more visibility and higher priority to the development team.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Best regards,

Zev - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

As you suggested, I am in the process of submitting feedback. I'm going to place a link to this thread there. I hope it's ok to include this screenshot displaying multiple instances of my mobile device (my phone) listed in the Windows settings