Windows warns Phone Link won’t show Android 15 notifications

Microsoft’s Phone Link app is warning that Android smartphones using the latest version of Android 15 won’t display certain “sensitive” notifications, according to a post from Mishaal Rahman spotted by Windows Central.

The warning is the result of an Android 15 privacy feature that automatically categorizes notifications like those containing 2FA codes as “sensitive” and prevents third-party apps from seeing them. That extra bit of privacy could come in handy if you’ve unwittingly given a malicious app permission to access your notifications. But it could be inconvenient if you frequently rely on seeing 2FA codes appear on your computer via Phone Link.

Mishaal Rahman posted a screenshot of the warning. Screenshot: Windows Phone Link warning

According to Rahman, Windows should still show sensitive notifications for Android devices where Phone Link came preinstalled and has requested a “Companion Device Role.” That includes Samsung phones running One UI 6.1.1, but not other Android phones like Google Pixel or Nothing Phones, writes Windows Central.

Rahman wrote in October that users could get around the notification-hiding feature by turning off “Enhanced Notifications” in Android 15’s notifications settings. However, doing so also turns off things like reply suggestions and could make it easier again for malicious apps to gather details from all of your notifications.

Understanding Microsoft’s Phone Link App Warning for Android 15 Users

Microsoft’s Phone Link app is cautioning users of Android smartphones running on the latest version of Android 15 about potential issues with displaying certain notifications deemed “sensitive.” This warning stems from a privacy feature in Android 15 that automatically labels notifications containing sensitive information, such as 2FA codes, and restricts third-party apps from accessing them. While this added layer of privacy can protect users from malicious apps accessing their notifications, it may pose challenges for those who rely on viewing 2FA codes through Phone Link on their computers.

Implications of Android 15 Privacy Feature on Notification Display

According to Mishaal Rahman’s findings, Android devices with Phone Link preinstalled and designated as a “Companion Device Role” should still be able to display sensitive notifications. This applies to Samsung phones running One UI 6.1.1 but excludes other Android devices like Google Pixel and Nothing Phones, as reported by Windows Central.

Workarounds for Android 15 Notification Display Restrictions

Rahman suggested in October that users can bypass the notification-hiding feature by disabling “Enhanced Notifications” within Android 15’s notification settings. However, this action also disables features like reply suggestions and may reintroduce vulnerabilities for malicious apps to extract information from notifications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Android 15’s privacy feature impacting notification display on Microsoft’s Phone Link app highlights the balance between privacy and convenience for smartphone users. While the added security measures protect sensitive information, users must weigh the trade-offs in functionality when making adjustments to notification settings.

FAQs

Q: Can Android 15 users completely disable sensitive notifications for third-party apps?

A: While Android 15 allows users to disable “Enhanced Notifications” to prevent third-party apps from accessing sensitive notifications, this action may also limit certain features like reply suggestions.

Q: Which Android devices are exempt from the notification display restrictions on Microsoft’s Phone Link app?

A: Android devices with Phone Link preinstalled and configured as a “Companion Device Role,” such as Samsung phones running One UI 6.1.1, are not affected by the notification display restrictions.

Credit: www.theverge.com