Forum Discussion
Windows 11 Phone Link no longer shows SMS messages after update to Android 17
Are there people who use Windows 11 Phone Link connected to Pixel phone? After update to Android 17 it no longer shows any Messages nor allow to send it. And there are no notifications of a new message either.
I already tried to remove the mobile device, sign out, reset the application data and pair again. The SMS permission is enabled. If disabled, there is an error message so it isn't a permission issue.
When I connect to a different Android 12 device it works. I just want to confirm it isn't just an isolated issue on my side.
3 Replies
Here is a link to a work around:
https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1uadrpo/android_17_windows_phone_link_no_longer_shows_otp/
Of course it's something else to do to get those 2FA codes that was working quite nicely with PL and LtW, but at least it's a solution.
Pixel 9 user here running Android 17. I have found that only "sensitive messages" are not being forwarded to appear on Phone Link. The ones I really want - the 2FA codes - are no longer available to me on Windows. Which is kind of the whole point. This was apparently a problem on Android 15 and 16, but MSFT found a way around it. I'm hoping they will do so again. I'm responding to this post in my quest to find out what MSFT is up to in this regard. I have read that the issue has to do with the Link to Windows app being pre-installed like it is on some Samsung phones. In those cases, those sensitive messages are still displayed. But download LtW from the play store, and sorry, Bob is not your uncle.
I have found that the good folks at Google seems to like to throw a stick in the spoke of MSFT when they can. For example - you can project your Android screen to Windows - if you don't happen to be running Android on a Pixel phone. On Pixel - no can do. Thanks Google. This feels like another example of that.
The only reason I have a Pixel is that I get updates quickly. But if those updates keep taking away features I use, then my next phone will be from another brand.
It's worth checking online forums, Microsoft community boards, or Reddit to see if others with Pixel phones or Android 17 are reporting similar issues. Given that it works with other Android 12 devices, your problem might be specific to the Pixel or the latest Android update. Sometimes, waiting for an app update or Android patch resolves such issues. Also, ensure your Windows and Phone Link app are both fully updated.
