Table of Contents
Why is my Phone Link app not showing the expanded screen feature yet?
Microsoft has deployed a significant update to the Windows 11 Phone Link app, addressing a long-standing limitation in Android app streaming. Users can now utilize the “Expanded screen” feature to project mobile applications across approximately 90% of their desktop monitor. This update moves beyond the restrictive, phone-style portrait view that previously defined the mirroring experience.
To access this capability, verify that your Phone Link app runs version 1.25112.36.0 or higher. The rollout is currently active; if the feature remains absent, check the Microsoft Store manually for updates, as availability often expands in waves across different regions and accounts.
Technical Mechanics and User Experience
The “Expanded screen” operates by altering how the Android device renders content. When you maximize the window on your PC, Phone Link instructs the mobile device to relaunch the application in a landscape or “tablet” layout. The software then mirrors this wider canvas back to the Windows desktop.
While this improves productivity, the transition is not seamless for every application. Because Android apps must reload to adjust to new screen configurations, users will experience a brief restart of the app when toggling views. Additionally, developers have noted a persistent 10% buffer of unused screen space, preventing a complete edge-to-edge full-screen mode.
Limitations and Visual Fidelity
Quality varies significantly between applications. Since the feature relies on the mobile app’s native ability to scale, apps optimized for phones may degrade visually on larger displays. Messaging platforms like WhatsApp, for instance, often appear blurry or pixelated when forced into this expanded resolution. Users should expect high performance from responsive apps but anticipate graphical compromises with legacy or strictly mobile-formatted software.
Device Compatibility Requirements
The “Apps” streaming tab within Phone Link remains exclusive to specific hardware configurations. This functionality requires a device with “Link to Windows” pre-integrated into the system firmware.
Compatible devices currently include:
- Samsung: Galaxy Fold, Note20 5G/Ultra, S22, S23, S24, and S25 series.
- Other Manufacturers: Select models from HONOR (Magic4 Pro, Magic6), OPPO (Find, Reno), ASUS, vivo, and Xiaomi.
- Operating System: Android 11 or newer is required to run multiple applications simultaneously.
If the “Apps” section is missing from your PC interface, your mobile device likely lacks the necessary firmware integration to support screen mirroring.
Additional Ecosystem Features
Microsoft continues to deepen the integration between Android and Windows beyond visual mirroring. Recent enhancements include the ability to remotely lock a Windows PC directly from a connected Android phone, adding a layer of security for users who step away from their desks. Furthermore, background clipboard synchronization allows for the seamless transfer of text and images between devices without manual file sharing.