Microsoft has introduced a remote locking feature for Windows PCs within the Phone Link app on Android. With this update, users can lock their PC with a single tap from their phone, even if they are away from the computer.
This feature is currently only available on Android and works automatically when both the phone and PC run the latest version of Phone Link. This change addresses a common issue where users forget to lock their PC when leaving a shared work environment.
How the new Remote PC Lock works in Phone Link
When you open the Phone Link app on a paired Android device, you’ll see a Lock PC option. Tapping on this option will lock your PC in a few seconds.
Once the lock command is sent, the Phone Link app automatically disconnects, and you must manually unlock the PC to reconnect.
This feature does not require any additional setup. As long as both your Windows PC and Android phone are running the latest versions of Phone Link, the Lock PC option will appear automatically.
How to manage a remote lock and how it compares to a dynamic lock
Users who want to disable remote locking, perhaps to avoid accidental locks, can do so through Windows Settings. To do this, open Settings on your Windows PC, then go to Bluetooth & devices, followed by Mobile devices. Select your paired phone from the list, and toggle the Remote PC Control option to turn the feature on or off.
Windows has long included Dynamic Lock, a feature that automatically locks the PC when a phone paired via Bluetooth is disconnected. The new Phone Link option serves a similar purpose but with a few key differences.
Phone Link offers several benefits:
- The PC only locks when the user explicitly presses the button, removing any uncertainty about whether it is locked.
- The Lock PC button is grayed out when the phone is not connected, providing clear feedback on its availability.
- Phone Link operates over Wi-Fi, so Bluetooth doesn’t need to be on constantly, which helps save the phone’s battery.
Dynamic lock has its advantages: It works automatically when the user leaves. This may be useful for users who do not already have Phone Link installed and configured.
For those who already use Phone Link for features like cross-device notifications, file transfers, or recently added Apple Messages support, the new Lock PC option offers clear, on-demand controls. Users who do not use Phone Link in other ways may find it easier to set up Dynamic Lock.
Who benefits most from iOS status, availability, and remote PC lock
The Remote Lock feature is currently only available on Android. Microsoft has not indicated whether this option will be added to Phone Link for iPhone.
Since Apple restricts third-party access to iMessage and other system features, the iPhone version has more limited integration with Windows.
The recent addition of Apple Messages support on iPhone Phone Link shows that Microsoft is continuing to develop iOS integration, but the Lock PC feature is not included in that effort yet.
The Lock PC feature is now rolling out with the latest update to the Phone Link app. Users should ensure that both the Windows app and the Android Phone Link companion are updated through the Microsoft Store and Google Play Store respectively.
Once both the apps are on the required version, the feature will appear automatically. For those who often work in shared offices, co-working spaces or open-plan environments, where forgetting to lock a PC could pose a security risk, this new feature provides a quick way to secure a device without having to return to the desk.
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