I use Apple’s iMessage to send and receive texts on my iPhone. But if I’m already in front of my PC, it’s often easier to write and reply to texts using a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. For this, I turn to a handy and free Microsoft utility that helps me access iMessages when using Windows.
Accessible in both Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft’s Phone Link app lets you view your recent texts, create new messages, and respond to existing texts. Any texts you send and receive are automatically synced between your PC and iPhone, so you can see the ongoing conversation on either device. You’re also able to manually enter a name, phone number, or email address to send a text to one of your contacts or anyone else.
Also: Your Apple Messages app is also a calculator – how to use it for complex math
How to Send and Receive iMessages in Windows
Phone Link works the same in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Here’s how to use it to view, send, and receive texts.
Using Microsoft Phone Link
Before you can use Phone Link, you’ll need to complete a few steps on your phone and your PC.
Your iPhone must be running iOS 16 or later. To check this, go to Settings, select General and tap Software Update. You will be told if there is an iOS update or asked to install the latest update. Next, go to Settings, select Bluetooth and confirm that Bluetooth is on.
To make sure Windows is also up to date, go to Settings, select Windows Update, and click the button to check for updates. Allow downloading and installing the latest updates.
Next, confirm that you’re running the latest version of Phone Link. To do this, open the Microsoft Store app from the Start menu and click on the Downloads icon. Click the Get updates button and allow all your installed apps to be updated, including Phone Link if necessary.
Finally, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your PC. In Windows 10, go to Settings, select Devices, and turn the switch for Bluetooth off if it’s turned off. In Windows 11, go to Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, and then turn on the switch for Bluetooth.
In Windows 10 or 11, click the Start button, go to the list or menu of all your apps, and select Phone link. If you can’t find the app or it has been removed at some point, download and install it Microsoft StoreWhen you launch the app, click Continue. The next screen prompts you to select your device type. Click the button for iPhone.
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A QR code should appear in the Phone Link app. Launch the camera on your iPhone and scan the code. On your iPhone, tap the link at the bottom of the camera screen to pair your device. If you are unable to scan the code for any reason, click the link and follow the steps to continue manually without the QR code.
On the screen to pair your device, tap “Link to Windows” to download and install the Link to Windows app. Once the app is installed, tap Open to launch it. Tap on “Scan QR Code” and scan the code displayed in the Phone Link app on your PC. Next, tap Continue to start pairing your phone and PC.
Too: How to set up read receipts for your iPhone’s text messages
You should see the pairing prompt on both your iPhone and Windows 11 computer. Select the Pair button on both devices and wait for both to pair.
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Your phone should ask you if you want your PC to receive notifications from your iPhone. Tap Allow to fix this. Go to the Bluetooth Settings screen on your phone, tap the Info icon for your computer, and turn on the switches for Show notifications, Sync contacts, and Share system notifications. Doing this will allow you to fully access and use the apps and data on your PC from your phone, including messages.
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The Phone Link welcome screen should appear on your PC and ask if you want to open the app every time you log in to Windows. If you do this, check the box. Then, click Get Started.
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To access your iPhone’s text messages in Phone Link, tap the message title at the top. You should see any recently sent messages since the phone link was activated. If not, click the Refresh icon to refresh the connection. If a message comes in that you want to reply to, type the response and send it. You can then continue the conversation from your iPhone or your PC, and the two will sync with each other.
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You can also start a new conversation. To do this, select one of your displayed contacts and then type your text and send. To chat with someone else, click the New Message icon and type the recipient’s name or phone number. Write your message and send it.
Too: How to Block Spam Texts on Your iPhone in 3 Easy Steps
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