You can now use the Motorola Smart Connect app on any Android phone. I got excited as I am not a great fan of Microsoft’s Phone Link app. It is a great software for connecting Android phones with Windows PC, but something is missing. So I tried both apps and here are the differences between the two.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table: Motorola Smart Connect vs Microsoft Phone Link
| Features | Motorola Smart Connect | Phone Link |
| Compatibility | Exclusive to Motorola and Lenovo phones, but can be sideloaded on other Android phones | Works on all Android phones |
| Text Messages & call support | No | Can message and call from PC |
| Notification Sync | Feature available but doesn’t work on non-Moto phones. | Works without any issue |
| User interface | Clean and easy | Complicated |
| Screen mirroring | Feature available but doesn’t work on non-Moto phones | Available only for Samsung, OnePlus, Asus, and Oppo |
| File Viewing Support | Available | Not available directly, can view up to 2000 recent images. Proper feature is coming soon. |
| File transfer | Available in two ways: file transfer and Smart Hub | File transfer available |
| Android apps on PC | Not available on non-Moto phones | Available for Samsung |
| Ease of Use and set up | Very easy | Slightly complicated |
| Clipboard Sync (Copy and Paste Between Devices) | Works on all devices | Available only on Samsung |
Disclaimer: This comparison is based on non-Motorola phones i.e., Android phones except Motorola and Lenovo phones. I have used Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 and Pixel 6a for this comparison.
Compatible Devices
The Motorola Smart Connect app earlier known as Ready for app works primarily only on Motorola and Lenovo smartphones. However, it can also be sideloaded on other Android phones as well where you will find fewer features.
On the contrary, the Phone Link app (earlier called Your Phone) runs on all Android phones and even iPhones. To clear the confusion, the mobile experience of the Phone Link is known as Link to Windows whereas the PC app is called Phone Link.
User Interface
The Smart Connect app has the same interface for PC and its mobile app, making the experience consistent across devices. On the other hand, the PC app of Phone Link has a completely different interface as compared to the mobile app. I personally like the interface of the Smart Connect app, especially on mobile as it shows everything on the home screen whereas the Phone Link app on mobile just shows a settings page. Boring.
Mobile Interface
PC Interface of Phone Link App
PC Interface of Motorola Smart Connect App
Get Phone Notifications on PC
Both apps support showing phone notifications on a computer in real time. However, unfortunately, notifications didn’t sync for me using the Motorola Smart Connect app on my Samsung Fold.
On the contrary, they work like a charm on the Phone Link app. You can even reply to notifications, clear, pin, or mark them unread right from my laptop. You can even turn off notifications from some apps. For example, I’ve disabled WhatsApp notifications due to the constant influx of message notifications.
Screen Mirroring (aka Control Phone from PC)
While both apps support the feature, each has its limitations. For starters, the Screen Mirroring feature (known as Phone on PC) didn’t work on my Samsung or Pixel phone using the Smart Connect app. I think it’s exclusive to Motorola phones. Similarly, the Screen Mirroring feature is available only for Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, and Asus phones in the Phone Link app. Other phones including my Google Pixel do not support the feature.
In the following screenshot, I’m mirroring my Fold 4 to my PC.
Use as Storage Device
The thing that I extremely like about the Smart Connect app is its ability to access the internal storage of my Android phone from PC and that too wirelessly. Not only that, I can even access my PC’s folder on my Android phone. What’s more interesting is that I can select the PC folders that should show on my Android phone.
And the best part, these files show up in the regular file manager interface just like it’s another drive on your device. For instance, the Android files show in the Windows File Manager, and similarly, PC files will show in the phone’s File app. And to access this feature, all you need to do is click the Files button in that app.
PC files on my Android phone
Android files from PC:
Wait there’s more…. you can even copy, paste, move, or manage files on the other device. It seems so easy here but what’s sad is that this entire feature had been somewhat missing in the Phone Link app. I wouldn’t say entirely because you can check phone files from Samsung, Honor, Oppo, and Asus phones using the screen mirroring feature. However, thankfully, soon the Phone Link app will also support this feature. It’s already live for Windows Insider users and will show up for all anytime soon.
File Transfer
When it comes to transferring files between PC and mobile, both support the feature but in different ways.
File Sharing Via Microsoft Phone Link:
- To transfer files from Windows PC to mobile using Phone Link, right-click on any file and select Share > Phone Link. The file will be sent to the default mobile device, in case you have multiple devices. Similarly, tap the Share icon for any file on your Android phone and select Link to Windows to transfer it to your PC.
- Furthermore, you can also view and copy from the recent 2000 photos of your phone on your PC. While the speed is quite fast, the image quality is reduced if it is above 1MB.
Send file from phone to PC
View 2000 photos on PC
File Sharing Via Smart Connect
On the other hand, the Smart Connect app offers two ways to transfer files (actually three if you include the Files app as well).
- First, is the File Transfer feature that works like the Phone Link app on mobile. It’s available under the Share button.
- On your phone, open the Share menu for any file and select Smart Connect > File transfer.
- On PC, simply drag the file to the Smart Connect app icon in the taskbar to send it to your phone.
- The Share Hub feature also lets you quickly transfer files between a PC and mobile phone but without actually downloading them on another device. Basically, you add the files to Share Hub and it instantly shows on the other device in a floating tray from where you have to manually download it.
- To use this feature, right-click any file on your PC and select Share Hub or drag it to the floating Share Hub tray.
- Similarly, press the Share icon and select Smart Connect > Share Hub to use this feature from mobile.
- Select the files from the floating tray and select Download to save it on the other device.
File transfer speeds:
Here are the transfer speeds that I experienced while using these two apps
| Microsoft Phone Link | Moto Smart Connect (File Transfer) | Google’s Quick Share | |
| 30 MB video file | 1:04 | 34 seconds | 1 minute |
| 3.76MB image file | 4 seconds | 6 seconds | 11 seconds |
Text Messages and Call Support
One of the useful features that is missing in the Smart Connect app (even for Moto and Lenovo users) is the ability to message and call people. This feature has been part of the Phone Link app on PC for a long time now. So you can basically call, view call history, and send or receive phone messages from your Windows PC without even touching the phone.
Android Apps on PC
The Phone Link app allows Samsung users exclusively to use their mobile apps on PC. You can even pin apps to the Windows taskbar for faster access. However, this feature has a serious drawback that you need to unlock the phone every time you want to access an app remotely. I understand the privacy concern but what’s the use if I have to touch my phone? I would rather do something on my phone itself than on the PC. In my opinion, I should be able to access apps without unlocking my phone.
While this feature is available for Moto phones on Smart Connect, it’s not available on other Android phones.
Ease of Use
I feel the Smart Connect app is easy to use and set up mainly because of its interface. All the features are available on the home screen and they are clearly defined. On the contrary, you need to dig deeper to discover the hidden features of the Phone Link app.
Clipboard Sync
The Phone Link app offers the clipboard sync feature but it’s limited to Samsung Galaxy phones only. On the other hand, the clipboard sync feature shows for all Android phones in the Smart Connect app but in my testing, it didn’t work for me on any phone. It would have been great if it worked as the Smart Connect app shows a Clipboard as well.
Additional Features
| Features | Motorola Smart Connect | Phone Link/Link to Windows |
| Use the camera as a webcam | Yes | Yes (new feature) |
| Multi-device support | Yes, and offers easy switching | Yes. Can change the device from Settings |
| Lock PC from mobile | Yes | No |
| Use mobile data on PC (Instant hotspot) | Only for Moto and Lenovo phones | Only on Samsung phones |
| Use app over mobile data on mobile | No | Yes |
| Put phone on Do not disturb from PC | No | Yes |
| Ping mobile from PC | No | Yes |
| Control music/sound from PC | No | Yes |
| See the phone’s battery percentage | Yes | Yes |
| See or edit phone’s screenshot on PC | No | Yes (new feature) |
Before you go, read the comparison between Phone Link and Intel Unison.
