I use Apple’s iMessage to send and receive texts on my iPhone. But if I’m already in front of my PC, writing and answering texts is often easier using a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. For this, I turn to a handy and free Microsoft utility that helps me access iMessages while 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 automatically sync between your PC and iPhone, so you can pick up an 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 someone else.
Also: Your Apple Messages app is also a calculator – how 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’ll be told that iOS is up to date or prompted to install the latest update. Next, go to Settings, select Bluetooth, and confirm that Bluetooth is turned on.
To ensure Windows is also up to date, go to Settings, select Windows Update, and click the button to check for updates. Allow the latest updates to download and install.
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 the Downloads icon. Click the Get Updates button and allow all your installed apps to be updated, including Phone Link, if necessary.
Finally, ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your PC. In Windows 10, go to Settings, select Devices, and turn on the switch for Bluetooth if it’s off. In Windows 11, go to Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, and then turn the switch for Bluetooth on.
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 removed it at some point, download and install it from the Microsoft Store. When 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 devices. If you are unable to scan the code for any reason, click the link to continue manually without a QR code and follow the steps.
On the screen to pair your devices, tap “Link to Windows” to download and install the Link to Windows app. After the app has been installed, tap Open to launch it. Tap “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.
Also: How to set up read receipts for your iPhone’s text messages
You should see pairing prompts on both your iPhone and your Windows 11 computer. Select the Pair button on both devices and wait for the two to pair.
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Your phone should ask if you want your PC to receive notifications from your iPhone. Tap Allow to OK 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 so will let you fully access and use the apps and data from your phone on your PC, 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 each time you log into Windows. If you do, check the box. Then, click Get Started.
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To access your iPhone’s text messages in Phone Link, tap the Messages heading at the top. You should see any recent messages sent to you since Phone Link has been active. If not, click the refesh icon to refesh the connection. If any message appears that you want to answer, type a response and send it. You can then carry on a conversation from either 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 compose and send your text. To chat with someone else, click the New Message icon and type the name or phone number of the recipient. Compose and send your message.
Also: How to stop spam texts on your iPhone in 3 easy steps
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