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How to use iMessage on Windows PC

Thankfully, Microsoft, being totally aware that many of its users wield iPhones, has stepped in to offer a functional solution.

The image is showing a notification of 10 new photos being added to the x calury app. Full text: x calury 120 10 photos notificadoes *k

With the updated version of Microsoft’s Phone Link application, iPhone users can now access iMessages on their Windows 11 PCs.

Not only that, but the app wirelessly synchronizes notifications and photos to your computer and lets you make and take calls.

Let’s face it – not every iPhone user has a Mac, and Phone Link is the sync solution many of us have been waiting for.

Why shouldn’t your iPhone play well with Windows?  Well, now it does. Let’s discuss how to use iMessage from a Windows PC with Microsoft Phone Link.

Use iMessage from a Windows PC

To sync your iMessages with your Windows PC, you’ll first need to download the Phone Link application from the Microsoft Store on your computer.

You’ll also need to get the Link to Windows app from the App Store on your iPhone. Once you’ve downloaded both applications, you’re good to go.

You can set up iMessage on your Windows PC by following these steps:

Launch the Phone Link app on your Windows PC This image is showing a list of options to link a phone to a computer, search the web, and access phone settings. Full text: recycle bin d chat all apps documents web settings people folders m... O google best match chromne phone link app lolec files settings phone link app open phone settings search the web @ open o phone link - see web results o phone link app > @[microsoft. Yourphone_1. 22042. 161. 0_x64_bwekyb3d8bbwe?... O phone link to pc @[microsoft. Yourphone_1. 22042. 161. 0_x64_bwekyb... > q @(microsoft. Yourphone_1. 22042. 161. 0_x64_8wekyb... O phone link iphone > @{microsoft. Yourphone_1. 22042. 161. 0_x64_8wekyb... O phone link for ios @[microsoft. Yourphone_1. 22042. 161. 0_x64_8wekyb... O phone link to windows > @{microsoft. Yourphone_1. 22042. 161. 0_x64_8wekyb... O phone link qr code a eva bing 2545 1,011 prerelease. 25 q phone link 6:57 5/19/2023

Under Pick your phone, select iPhone This image is demonstrating how the phone link app allows users to use their phone from their pc, make and take calls, keep up with conversations, and view phone notifications on their pc, as long as their android phone is running android 7. 0 or later, or their iphone is running ios 14. 0 or later. Full text: phone link x use your phone from your pc make and take calls e keep up with your conversations view your phone notifications on your pc pick your phone android iphone® to experience the full functionality of the phone link app, your android phone must be running android 7. 0 or later, or your iphone ® must be running ios 14. 0 or later. Iphone® is a trademark of apple inc. Privacy statement

Launch the Link to Windows app on your iPhoneLink to windows phone app download screen from app store

Tap Scan QR code on your iPhone and grant Link to Windows camera access if promptedThe user interacts with the graphical user interface and application.

Scan your PC’s on-screen QR Code with your iPhone’s camera Windows phone link qr code on a purple background

Tap Continue on your iPhone and then hit Pair when promptedThe user interacts with the graphical user interface and application.

Confirm that the pairing codes match and click Pair on your Windows PC

That’s it. Once both devices are paired, you’ll be able to send and receive iMessages on your PC.

To choose what information syncs from your phone to your computer on your iPhone, go to Settings Bluetooth and select your PC from the list. From here, you can toggle Sync Contacts and Share System Notifications.

Syncing contacts to your PC is useful for sending messages and knowing who has sent them to you.

While Phone Link is a great solution, it does have some limitations.

For example, you won’t be able to pull your iMessage history from your iPhone. Only new messages sent and received within the Phone Link app are available on your PC.

On top of that, the biggest letdown of them all is that Phone Link doesn’t allow you to participate in group conversations or send or receive multimedia content, such as images and videos.

However, for sending and receiving basic messages, it’s an effective tool for iPhone users. Hey, beggars can’t be choosers, right?

An easy way to access iMessages on Windows

The image is showing a notification of 10 new photos being added to the x calury app. Full text: x calury 120 10 photos notificadoes *k
Image: KnowTechie

Sure, Apple could have made syncing iMessages with Windows easy for iPhone users, but then we’d have fewer reasons to buy a Mac, right? At the end of the day, it’s just business.

Thankfully, Microsoft, being totally aware that many of its users wield iPhones, has stepped in to offer a functional solution.

While it’s not the most comprehensive application, Phone Link gets the job done in a relatively painless and effective way.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Matt is an Australian writer with a degree in creative and critical writing. Prior to commencing his studies, he worked in tech support and gained valuable insights into technology and its users. He is also an editor and author coach at Dean Publishing.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Avatar of tim

    Tim

    May 22, 2023 at 10:22 am

    I’ve been using this in beta. It’s barely functional (and not Microsoft’s fault). Microsoft is having to utilize Bluetooth’s Notification Service to send/receive messages to iPhone/iMessage, because of Apple’s unwillingness to have literally *any* other way to interact with iMessage.

    Basically 50% of the time it won’t work at all, is buggy, can’t send/receive group messages, can’t send/receive picture messages, doesn’t save chat history at all (so if you close and reopen, its cleared). Etc etc. Microsoft should put a big disclaimer blaming Apple for any headaches.

    • Avatar of kevin raposo

      Kevin Raposo

      May 26, 2023 at 3:53 am

      You’re right – Microsoft needs to be clearer about issues with iMessage. Hopefully, Apple will be more open or Microsoft will find a better fix soon.

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