As good as Microsoft’s Phone Link is, I found a better alternative in KDE Connect. It’s a mix of unique features, better compatibility, and enhanced customization that have made it my go-to choice for seamless phone-PC integration.
Download: KDE Connect (Free)
1
Clipboard Sync
One of my favorite KDE Connect features is clipboard sync. While Microsoft’s Phone Link offers a similar function, it’s frustratingly limited to Samsung Galaxy devices. So, if I have a different phone, I need to use Microsoft’s SwiftKey keyboard just to sync my clipboard.
With KDE Connect, there are no such limitations. I can copy text on my Windows PC, and it instantly appears on my phone’s clipboard. Likewise, I can seamlessly share clipboard data from Android to Windows with a simple tap.
2
Better Integration With All Android Phones
Several of Microsoft Phone Link’s most useful features are exclusive to Samsung Galaxy phones. This includes cross-device copy and paste, RCS messaging, screen mirroring, and more. So, if you’re using any other type of Android phone, you’re stuck with a watered-down experience.
KDE Connect offers all of these exclusive features and works with any Android phone brand. So, even when I’m using a Pixel, I get the full experience without restrictions.
3
Remote Mouse and Keyboard Input
One useful feature that KDE Connect offers, but Phone Link lacks is the ability to turn my phone into a remote mouse and keyboard for my PC.
In the KDE Connect app, I can go to the Remote Input tab and use my phone screen as a touchpad. The app shows three buttons at the bottom, which mimic the left, middle, and right-click functions of a regular mouse. Similarly, the KDE Connect app on my PC allows me to use my mouse to interact with my Android phone.
When I need to type something, I can tap the keyboard icon at the top and use my phone’s keyboard to input text remotely. These small features make KDE Connect feel far more versatile than Phone Link.
4
Presentation Remote
Honestly, I don’t use the Presentation Remote feature often, but when I do, it’s incredibly useful. It allows me to start my presentation on my PC and seamlessly navigate through slides using the KDE Connect app on my Android phone.
If I want to keep my phone screen off, I can even switch between slides using the volume up and down buttons. When I need to highlight something, I can activate the pointer feature, which displays a blue circle on the screen. My phone then acts as a virtual laser pointer so I can move it around to control the blue circle on the screen.
Like most people, I enjoy listening to music and podcasts on my PC whenever I can. With KDE Connect, I can control my media player directly from my phone, something that Microsoft’s Phone Link simply doesn’t offer.
I can easily access the Multimedia Control section to play, pause, or skip tracks. Additionally, I can switch to the Devices tab to change the audio output device and adjust volume levels without touching my PC.
The best part? The music player controls also appear in my phone’s notification panel, so I can manage the playback from there, too. This works both ways, meaning I can also use the KDE Connect app on my PC to control music playback on my phone.
Aside from the above, KDE Connect also offers all the useful Phone Link features, including seamless file transfer, viewing phone notifications on a PC, and replying to messages. Sure, KDE Connect’s interface may not be the most user-friendly, but once you get the hang of it, the functionality and overall experience make it well worth using.
