You Can Now Use IMessage on Windows (With Some Serious Limitations).
Whether you only use Apple or Windows/Android devices, syncing your mobile and desktop apps is quite simple, allowing you to receive notifications, send messages, and access other content across devices. iOS and macOS work seamlessly together, and Microsoft’s Phone Link feature enables Android to connect to Windows .
Phone Link also works across platforms, allowing you to receive and send Apple Messages on your PC. There are some significant limitations—for example, you’ll still need an iPhone to send group messages and share images. However, Phone Link allows you to keep track of messages on your desktop without constantly checking your phone.
How to connect an iPhone to a computer
Setting up the Messages app on your PC requires several steps. First, you’ll need three things to connect your Apple device to your Windows computer: a Microsoft account, the Phone Link app on your PC, and the Link to Windows app on your iPhone running iOS 16 or later. ( The Phone Link app is preinstalled in Windows 11, or you can download it from the Microsoft Store.)
To get started, type Phone Link into the search bar on the taskbar and select the app to open it. Select your iPhone as the device. Scan the QR code on the next screen with your iPhone’s camera and tap Pair Devices . In the pop-up window, tap Open > Continue > Allow, and then Pair to grant Windows the necessary permissions and complete the Bluetooth pairing. You may need to allow additional permissions, including notifications and file sharing. Then follow the instructions to link your iPhone to your Microsoft account.
You’ll also need to confirm a few settings in iPhone Settings > Bluetooth . Select your computer’s name from the list of connected devices and enable “Show Message Notifications.” You can also enable Contact Sync and Share System Notifications . When opening Phone Link on your PC, you can select the option to open the app when you sign in to Windows. Then click ” Get Started.”
Limitations of using Apple Messages on your PC
The Messages window in Phone Link displays a few recent conversations you can reply to, along with suggested contacts, but you won’t see your entire inbox. You also can’t create or reply to group chats, or send attachments, photos, or GIFs (only emoji are supported). To start a new conversation, tap the New Message icon , enter a contact’s name or phone number, compose your message, and tap Send .
All sent and received messages will also appear on your iPhone, so you can switch between devices at any time during a conversation. Note that since Phone Link uses Bluetooth, it doesn’t compromise the end-to-end encryption of Apple Messages.