topic Re: Linking to phone to laptop in Discussions & Feedback

Linking to phone to laptop

MM22 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 09:20:45 GMT

Hi, I have a simple Alcatel phone which does everything I need but rarely use it because I find the tiny touchscreen slow and error prone. I'm a confirmed computer user and except for the odd voice call when the other end will only use voice (BT and my GP surgery), I use a computer for everything else.

I drive a Vauxhall Astra with built-in voice connection software via Bluetooth, I set this up once and then when I get in the car with the phone in my bag, it auto-connects as soon as the ignition goes on. The car hardware is great, big touchscreen and decent speakers.

I also have a Windows 11 laptop with Bluetooth and decent speakers. So, is this a silly question? Is there software which would allow me to connect the phone and use it via the laptop like I can in the car?

I might actually make some calls if there is!

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

Bambino — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 09:30:59 GMT

@MM22 Took 3 seconds to look this up on Google: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/sync-across-your-devices?r=1

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

MM22 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 09:46:55 GMT

Thanks, I tried that yesterday, I get a message from the phone saying the device doesn't support the software, Microsoft confirmed that

BT Relay installs fine and the node link shows as connected, but I can't get the phone to connect

Any other software you know of which might? Vauxhall Intellilink worked first time no trouble and continues to work every call I've needed to make

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

madasaf1sh — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 11:17:54 GMT

@MM22

Not for the Alcatel's as they don't support much in this line, the best phones for this are either Pixels, Samsung or Motorola..

It might be worth speaking to the BT Relay team and getting support from them..

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

MM22 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 11:35:29 GMT

Thanks, Microsoft sent me a list of compatibles and they are nearly all Samsung. Been planning to upgrade to Motorola for a while but that isn't on the MS list either 🙄

What I am looking for is something like WhatsApp, which connects seamlessly to both my W10 desktop and W11 laptop.

Yes I could spend a shed-load of cash on a Samsung phone and learn Android, but if I could cobble together my existing kit, same as I do with WhatsApp and the car, it would save me lots of time & money.

The issue seems to be at the phone end, not the computer end, so I doubt the BT team can help but I'll give it a go.

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

MM22 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 11:39:58 GMT

I wonder if this might have something to do with it?

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

madasaf1sh — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 11:40:52 GMT

Unfortunately Alcatel are the low end of the market, so if you want these features it means ponying up for a Samsung.. I had my Motorola Razr connected to Link to Windows, but now have Pixels, so maybe worth looking at a Pixel 6a or 7a ...

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

Bambino — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 14:59:29 GMT

@MM22 See if this is of any help to you: How to Use WhatsApp on Your Computer (and Web) (howtogeek.com)

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

MM22 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 16:30:06 GMT

Thanks, I do use WhatsApp both on my desktop and my laptop. Dead easy to set up, just download 'WhatsApp for PC' and read the QR with the phone, seeemples as they say!

Doesn't work like that for Phone Link, the phone won't read the QR and using the 'link without QR' option gives you the 'device not compatible' message.

So it's a new Samsung phone or a different connection software, which I haven't found yet.

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

MM22 — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 16:34:41 GMT

True, I bought the Alcatel because it was low cost. While I will spend loadsamoney on a computer, I'm reluctant to invest in a phone because I use it so little. Surprising that both WhatsApp and Vauxhall's on-board software will recognise the phone. Thanks for the recommendation.

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

Oxonian — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 17:48:35 GMT

@MM22

Based on what you have described, I would consider a Samsung Galaxy A54. This is an excellent mid-range Samsung 'phone that will do everything that you want and is far cheaper than a "S" series.

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

MM22 — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:33:40 GMT

£450 - eeek! May be peanuts to most people but as you've doubtless realised, phones are not high on my priority spending list ... for perspective, what does the 'S' series have that this one doesn't? Thank you for the recommendation.

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

Oxonian — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 18:40:19 GMT

There is a comparison here :-

Samsung S24 Vs Samsung A54: Flagship vs. Budget Beast (youtube.com)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziVJpY71rmc

The "S" series has many enhanced features such as better cameras. However, the main day-to-day omission for me on the A54 is that wireless charging is not supported.

There is likely to be an A55 released in the Spring ? If so, it will be interesting to see how feature-packed that is. 😀

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

madasaf1sh — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 18:43:11 GMT

@MM22

Have a look at the used market for handsets such as CEX or BackMarket and Handtec, as they offer good deals..

As a Pixel 6 can be picked up for less than £200

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

MM22 — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:41:38 GMT

Thank you, as I don't understand what a lot of the comparison points are, I guess the 'budget beast' is the one for me! Big selling point that 'Link to Windows' is listed in the spec as pre-installed, which gives me confidence it might actually work. Most negative point is that a friend whose wife has a Samsung says he hates the software as it's not intuitive. Wasn't till that discussion I realised not all Android front-ends are the same, I expected it to be like Windows. Every time I acquire new computer you get same old Windows and I tweak it till it looks like all my other devices. I really didn't want to learn a new OS so my knowledge of Android is minimal. I hate it!

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

MM22 — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:45:03 GMT

Thank you, I'm scared of getting something that doesn't work and can't be sent back. Always bought my handsets from O2 in the past so they can't blame malfunction on the handset provider. First law of buying computer system - don't split suppliers then they can't blame each other ... But as O2 appear to have removed Pay & Go handsets from their website, I'm going to have to break my own rule. I have a nano SIM which I would just swap into the new handset, question is, will it work? 🤔

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

madasaf1sh — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:51:37 GMT

@MM22

Yes, the nano sim will work in the Pixel Phones, and I have a Pixel Fold connected to my Windows 11 laptop using the link to windows and it works for calls and SMS...

I know the stores still have PAYG phones on dispay and for sale if that helps..

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

MI5 — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:59:05 GMT

@MM22 wrote:
... But as O2 appear to have removed Pay & Go handsets from their website,

The PAYG options are now being sold via giffgaff Buy Google Pixel phone | SIM Free | Pay Monthly or Buy Now | giffgaff

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

MM22 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 07:47:16 GMT

Oh wow, someone else who uses a phone connected to a computer ... everyone I've mentioned this idea to looks at me as though I've grown 3 heads ... you give me hope! The only reluctance about going Pixel is that I can't find it as having the Link to Windows option pre-installed, which Samsung do. I really thought it was going to work on my present Alcatel after installing the app, because both WhatApp and the car software were so easy to connect ☹️ I guess I should troll down to the local O2 shop and see what they have on the shelf, thanks for that info.

Re: Linking to phone to laptop

MM22 — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 07:55:13 GMT

Thank you, I can also buy SIM-free unlocked handsets from my local Argos or Currys. The only reservation about buying from anywhere other than O2 is if the phone doesn't do what I want then O2 will blame the handset.
I guess I need to ask the specific question about installing Link to Windows to the manufacturer. I did similar when I bought my last car and when I got it home, found it didn't have the feature specified. Got a lot of money back from the garage as they'd confirmed in writing ... This is what I want to see before buying, extracted from the Samsung spec, can't find anything similar for Pixel: