How to Remove Phone Link Banner in Windows 11 Start Menu

Say Goodbye to That Annoying Phone Link Banner in Your Windows 11 Start Menu

Hey there, fellow Windows user! If you’re anything like me, you love a clean, distraction-free desktop experience. But lately, opening the Start menu in Windows 11 has felt a bit… cluttered. That persistent Phone Link banner (or sidebar pane) on the right side—prompting you to “Access your mobile device here” with options for Android or iPhone—can be a real eyesore if you’re not using the feature.

I get it: Microsoft’s Phone Link (formerly Your Phone) is super handy for some folks who want seamless integration between their phone and PC—like checking messages, photos, or even battery status right from the Start menu. But if you don’t have a phone linked (or just don’t want the reminder staring at you every time), it’s totally fair to want it gone. The good news? As of late 2025, removing it is straightforward, and you don’t need to uninstall anything drastic.

Let’s walk through this step by step. I’ll cover the easiest methods first, plus a couple of alternatives if the banner is being extra stubborn. These are based on the latest Windows 11 updates (including 24H2 and beyond), where Microsoft has made this feature more customizable.

The Quickest Way: Toggle It Off in Settings

This is the official, no-fuss method that works for most people right now.

1. Click the Start button (or press the Windows key) to open the Start menu. You’ll see the Phone Link pane on the right.
2. In the pane, look for the “Hide this pane” link (it’s usually at the bottom or top—easy to spot). Click it!

• This instantly takes you to the right spot in Settings.

1. Alternatively, open Settings directly (Windows key + I), go to Personalization > Start.
2. Scroll down a bit, and you’ll see an option called “Show mobile device in Start” (or something very similar, like “Show your mobile device in Start”).
3. Turn off that toggle.

Boom! The banner vanishes immediately. Your Start menu goes back to feeling spacious and focused on what you want to see. If you ever change your mind and want quick phone access again, just flip the toggle back on.

If You Don’t See the Toggle (or It’s Not Working)

Sometimes, depending on your Windows build or if the feature is rolling out gradually, the option might not appear yet. Or maybe you’ve already uninstalled the Phone Link app, but the prompt lingers (yes, it’s oddly independent of the app itself!).

Here are a couple of reliable workarounds:

• Directly from the Pane: Even without the toggle, clicking “Hide this pane” in the banner itself often jumps you to the Settings page where you can disable it.
• Another Handy Spot: Head to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices. Here, you can manage linked devices or toggle off permissions for PC-phone access, which often hides the banner as a side effect.

If you’re on a very recent update and still seeing it persistently, a quick restart after toggling usually seals the deal.

For the Power Users: Advanced Tweaks (Use with Caution)

If the above doesn’t cut it—say, in older builds or if you’re dealing with a super persistent version—some folks have success with these:

• Registry Edit: Open Registry Editor (search for “regedit”), navigate to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced, and create/set a DWORD value called Start_AccountNotifications to 0. Restart Explorer or your PC.
• Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise editions): In gpedit.msc, look under System policies for phone-linking options and disable them.

But honestly? Stick to the Settings method first—it’s safer and reversible.

Why Does This Banner Exist Anyway?

Just a quick insight: Microsoft is pushing harder on cross-device experiences, especially with Android and iPhone integration improving. Once linked, that pane becomes genuinely useful—showing recent messages, calls, photos, and even letting you pick up tasks seamlessly. But for privacy-focused users or those who prefer a minimalist setup, it’s just unnecessary clutter. Thankfully, they’ve listened to feedback and made it easy to hide.

There you have it—a cleaner Start menu in minutes! If you’ve tried these steps and it’s still hanging around, drop a comment below (or check for Windows updates—features like this evolve fast). What’s your biggest Windows 11 pet peeve? I’d love to hear and maybe cover more tweaks in future posts.