Turn Off/On “Access Your Mobile Device Here” Pane in Windows 11 Start Menu

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Windows 11 continues to evolve with features that blur the line between PCs and smartphones. One such addition is the “Access your mobile device here” pane in the Start Menu, which integrates your Android phone through Microsoft’s Phone Link app. This panel allows users to quickly view notifications, messages, calls, and recent photos directly from the Start Menu without opening a separate app.

While some users find this feature convenient, others consider it unnecessary, distracting, or a waste of system resources—especially if they don’t use Phone Link or prefer a cleaner Start Menu layout. Fortunately, Windows 11 provides multiple ways to turn this pane ON or OFF, depending on your preference.

In this guide, you’ll learn all available methods to enable or disable the “Access your mobile device here” pane in Windows 11, including Settings, Start Menu options, Phone Link, and advanced policy-based methods.

What Is “Access Your Mobile Device Here” in Windows 11?

The “Access your mobile device here” pane appears inside the Start Menu and is powered by the Phone Link (formerly Your Phone) feature. When enabled, it allows you to:

  • View phone notifications

  • Read and send text messages

  • Check recent photos

  • Receive and make calls

  • Interact with supported Android apps

If your phone is not linked, Windows still shows the panel with prompts to connect a device—something many users prefer to disable.

Method 1: Turn ON / OFF Mobile Device Pane from Start Menu Settings (Easiest)

This is the simplest and safest method for most users.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings

  2. Go to Personalization

  3. Click Start

  4. Look for “Show mobile device in Start” or “Show mobile device connections”

  5. Toggle the switch:

    • ON → Enables the “Access your mobile device here” pane

    • OFF → Removes the pane from the Start Menu

✅ Changes apply instantly—no restart required.

Method 2: Enable or Disable via Phone Link App

If Phone Link is controlling the Start Menu integration, disabling it here also removes the pane.

Steps:

  1. Open Start Menu

  2. Search for Phone Link

  3. Launch the app

  4. Click Settings (gear icon)

  5. Go to Features or General

  6. Disable options like:

    • Show Phone Link in Start Menu

    • Allow phone access in Start

🔁 Restart Windows Explorer or sign out if the pane doesn’t disappear immediately.

Method 3: Unlink or Remove Your Phone (Automatically Disables the Pane)

If no phone is connected, Windows often stops showing the mobile access panel.

Steps:

  1. Open Settings

  2. Go to Bluetooth & devices

  3. Click Mobile devices

  4. Select your connected phone

  5. Click Remove or Unlink

⚠️ This removes all phone syncing features, not just the Start Menu pane.

Method 4: Disable Using Windows Privacy & Permissions

Windows may hide the pane when phone permissions are revoked.

Steps:

  1. Open Settings

  2. Go to Privacy & security

  3. Click Phone

  4. Turn OFF:

    • Phone access

    • App permissions related to phone integration

This method works well for users who want tighter privacy controls.

Method 5: Disable via Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro / Enterprise)

⚠️ Available only on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R

  2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter

  3. Navigate to:

    Computer Configuration
    → Administrative Templates
    → System
    → Phone-PC linking

  4. Double-click Disable Phone-PC linking

  5. Select Enabled

  6. Click Apply → OK

  7. Restart your PC

✅ This permanently disables phone integration and removes the Start Menu pane.

Method 6: Disable via Registry Editor (Advanced Users)

⚠️ Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Proceed carefully.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R

  2. Type regedit → Press Enter

  3. Navigate to:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

  4. Create a new key named:

    System

  5. Inside it, create a DWORD (32-bit) Value:

    EnableMmx

  6. Set its value:

    • 0 → Disable mobile device pane

    • 1 → Enable mobile device pane

  7. Restart your computer

Method 7: Turn the Pane Back ON (If Missing)

If you want the pane back, follow these checks:

  • Enable Phone Link

  • Ensure your phone is linked

  • Turn ON Start Menu mobile device option

  • Update Windows 11 to the latest version

  • Restart Windows Explorer

Why You Might Want to Disable This Pane

  • Cleaner Start Menu layout

  • Reduced background services

  • Improved privacy

  • Less clutter if you don’t use Phone Link

  • Slight performance improvement on low-end PCs

Final Thoughts

The “Access your mobile device here” pane in Windows 11 is useful—but not for everyone. Whether you want a minimal Start Menu, better privacy, or simply don’t use Phone Link, Windows gives you multiple ways to control or remove it.

For most users, the Start Menu toggle or Phone Link settings are more than enough. Advanced users can rely on Group Policy or Registry Editor for permanent control.

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