Stop Squinting at Your iPhone. Here's How to Use Apple Messages on a Windows PC

Stop Squinting at Your iPhone. Here's How to Use Apple Messages on a Windows PC | PCMag

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As an iPhone owner, I rely on Apple Messages for texting. But writing and reading texts on my phone's small screen can be a hassle, so I often turn to my Mac's larger monitor and its built-in iMessages app. On a Windows PC, however, I use Microsoft's Phone Link app.For this to work, you’ll need a Microsoft account, the Phone Link app on your Windows PC, and Microsoft's Link to Windows app on your iPhone. You'll pair the devices, which will provide access to your iPhone's text messages and contacts on your Windows PC, though there are some limits (more on that below). Here's how to get started.Set Up Phone LinkLaunch Phone Link from its shortcut in the Apps section of the Windows 11 Start menu. The first screen asks if you’re setting up an Android phone or an iPhone. Click iPhone. You May Also Like

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The next screen prompts you to pair your devices using Bluetooth. You can do this manually, but scanning the displayed QR code is easier. Scan the code with your iPhone’s camera and tap the Pair your devices link on your phone.

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On your phone, tap the Open button to launch the Link to Windows app and then tap Continue. Tap Allow to give Link to Windows permission to find Bluetooth devices. You’ll then see prompts to pair your devices on both your PC and your iPhone. Select the Pair button on both devices.

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As your devices are paired, you may see a notice asking you to allow your PC to receive notifications from your phone. Tap Allow. You’ll then see a notice on both your PC and phone that your devices are paired.

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Link Your Microsoft Account and Set PermissionsNext, you're prompted to link your iPhone to your Microsoft account. Tap Continue. If you haven’t already done so, sign in to your Microsoft account when prompted. You’re then asked to allow Link to Windows to send you notifications when a file is sent from your phone to your PC. Tap Allow.

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The Phone Link app on your PC then instructs you to configure certain settings on your iPhone. On your phone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the Info icon next to your computer's name. Turn on the switches for Show Message Notifications, Sync Contacts, and Share System Notifications.

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How to View and Send Text MessagesAt the Phone Link welcome screen, choose whether you want the app to open each time you sign in to Windows. Then click the Get Started button. Before sending anything, note that you'll experience a few limitations. Recommended by Our Editors Want to Run Android Apps, Games on Your PC? Try These 5 Programs Microsoft's Phone to PC 'Resume' Feature in Windows Can't Touch Apple's Handoff Become an Insider: How to Check Out Early Versions of Windows 11

The app won't show your full inbox, just the most recent messages from a few people. Group messaging is not supported, so you won't be able to create a new group or reply to an existing one. Attachments are limited, so you won't be able to send files, images, animated GIFs, or Memoji to your contacts.

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The Messages window should be active by default. You’ll see your most recent conversations and a list of suggested contacts below. Select a specific person to view the latest messages. To reply, just type your text in the Send a Message field and click the arrow key to send it.

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To kick off a new conversation, click the New message icon in the left pane. In the To field, start typing the phone number or the name of the person you want to text. If that person is in your contact list, matching names will pop up. Select the person you wish to message. If the number doesn’t match a contact, you can still compose your text.

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While you can't attach files or add special formatting, you can include emoji and other types of symbols and stickers. To do this, click the smiley face icon and browse the different categories at the top or search for a specific symbol by name. You’ll find recently used symbols, emoji, Kaomoji, and symbols. You can also access the Windows clipboard to paste recently copied text.

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Continue on Your iPhoneSince the Phone Link app syncs with your iPhone, any texts you send or receive will appear on both devices. If you need to continue a conversation on your iPhone, just open the message thread. The conversation will already be there.

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About Our Expert Lance Whitney Contributor Experience I've been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I've written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I've also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.I've used Windows, Office, and other Microsoft products for years so I'm well versed in that world. I also know the Mac quite well. I'm always working with iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and Android on my various mobile devices. And these days, I write a lot about AI, so that's become another key area for me.My wife always jokes about all the tech products we have around the house, but I manage to put them to good use for my articles. I like Lenovo computers, so I own a couple of Lenovo desktops and several laptops. I have three MacBooks and a Mac mini. For my mobile life and work, I use an iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad mini as well as an Apple Watch. But since I write about Android, I own several Android phones and tablets. Like any tech person, I have a cabinet full of cables, wires, and assorted mysterious gadgets. And when it's time to take a break from writing, I have an old Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, both of which I use for exercise and fitness games. Latest By Lance Whitney Hey, Windows Users: If You Have an iPhone, Ditch iCloud Photos for OneDrive I Paid for Google's Gemini AI Plan. These 5 Features Justify the Price Which AI Is the Best Podcast Host? I Put Gemini, Alexa+, and Others to the Test