Microsoft is building remote power controls into Link to Windows, the Android companion app for Phone Link on Windows 11. Code discovered in an August 25 build of the app reveals a RemoteControlManager component and a flag called "isRemotePcControlsV2Enabled", which is currently disabled.
The strings point to a full set of new controls beyond the existing Lock PC button. Restart and shut down are the big ones, but there are also Update and restart and Update and shut down options. A sleep option is also present, though it comes with a caveat spelt out in the app's own warning message. Once the PC goes to sleep, it disconnects from the phone, meaning users would need physical access to wake it again.
Confirmation dialogues are also being worked on for situations where remote commands could cause problems. Restarting or shutting down during an update triggers a warning that unsaved work in open apps will be lost and cannot be saved remotely. A separate generic warning asks users to confirm they have saved anything important before pulling the trigger from their phone.
- Read more: Microsoft herds more Control Panel options into Windows 11's Settings app where they should be
- Read more: You can finally change the size and position of the taskbar in Windows 11
- Read more: Don't panic if Windows 11's April update reboots loads of times - it should install fine in the end by all accounts
Phone Link already supports locking a PC remotely, a feature that arrived for Windows Insiders in July 2025 alongside file transfers and phone screen mirroring. Microsoft has been steadily expanding the connection between Android phones and Windows 11, including deeper Phone Link integration in the Start menu and additional system tray controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What remote power actions does the Phone Link app's new RemoteControlManager strings indicate will be available?
What confirmation dialogs does the code show for restarting or shutting down a PC remotely?
Will Phone Link's remote controls allow update-and-restart and update-and-shut-down, and what warnings are shown for those?
Is the isRemotePcControlsV2Enabled flag currently enabled for testers in the August 25 build?
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There is no release date yet, and the feature has not been enabled for testers. However, the detailed strings, including separate confirmation dialogues for update restarts and regular restarts, suggest Microsoft may be getting closer to rolling it out.
