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How to send and receive iMessages on Windows
If you're an iPhone user with a Windows PC, Microsoft has a feature that allows you to send and receive iMessages directly from your PC. You can also view your phone's notifications and place or receive calls.
Also: Windows 11 FAQ: ZDNET's upgrade guide and everything else you need to know
Android users have been able to send and receive messages for quite a while. iOS messaging compatibility means iPhone users also don't have to stop what they're doing on their computer to pick up their iPhone every time they get a message. After a slower, several-week rollout, Microsoft announced in May 2023 that Phone Link for iOS was available to all Windows 11 users.
However, there's at least one catch: because Microsoft is working within the confines of what Apple allows for iMessage and alerts, you can't access your chat history, send or receive group messages, nor view or send images and videos.
Also: The best Windows laptop you can buy: Dell, Samsung, Lenovo, and more
Still, the capability you do get is better than nothing. Below I'll walk you through how to check for access, show you what's required, demonstrate how to pair your two devices, and explain how to use your PC to send messages in iMessage.
How to send iMessages from your iPhone on a PC
1. Install any updates and set up the Phone Link for iOS app
For Microsoft to work its magic and show your iMessage conversations on your PC, install the Link to Windows app on your iPhone. Download it from the App Store and sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on your PC.
It's also a good idea to double-check that the Phone Link app on your PC is updated. Do that by opening the Microsoft Store app, and navigating to Library, then Get Updates, and then Update All once any pending updates are found.
Also: Here's why Windows PCs are only going to get more annoying
Finally, make sure all of your Windows 11 system updates are installed. Open the Settings app, click Windows Update, and then "Check for updates." Install any pending updates, reboot your PC if required, and then check for updates again. If it's been a while since you've updated your PC, there could be multiple rounds of updates.
2. Connect your iPhone to your PC
After updating your PC and the necessary apps, you can connect your iPhone to your computer and use iMessage.
Open the Phone Link app on your computer and the Link to Windows app on your iPhone.
The Phone Link app will have two options for your phone: Android or iPhone. Select iPhone. (If iPhone is marked as "coming soon", your account doesn't have access to the feature yet. Check the app every couple of days to see if you've gained access.)
Also: How to link and sync your iPhone to your Windows 11 PC
In the Link to Windows app on your iPhone, slide out the menu from the left side of the screen and select "Pair a new computer" at the top of the screen.
Use your phone's camera to scan the QR code shown in the Phone Link app on your computer. Follow the prompts on your iPhone and PC to finish using Bluetooth to pair the two devices.
After pairing is complete, open the Settings app on your iPhone, select Bluetooth, and find your PC's name in the list of connected devices. Tap on the "i" icon and then enable "Show notifications."
3. Send and receive messages on your PC through your iPhone
Once that setup process is complete, you can open the Phone Link app on your PC, it'll connect via Bluetooth to your iPhone, and you'll start to receive notifications for new messages, as well as all the alerts you receive from your iPhone apps, directly on your computer.
You won't be able to see older conversations and messages. The app will only show you what's been sent or received while it was open and there was a connection.
Also: How to FaceTime with Android users
You also won't be able to send or receive images, and group messages won't work. You'll still have to use your iPhone for those tasks.
Outside of those two major caveats, you can send and receive messages -- both iMessages and text messages -- from your iPhone, directly from your PC.
Pretty neat, right? The feature is similar to how sending and receiving messages on an iPhone works in a Tesla. There's no chat history, and you can't use group messages, but it's better than nothing.
How to enroll in the Insider Program and access new features now
If you don't mind dealing with the occasional bug on your Windows 11 PC, you can enroll in the Windows Insider Program and install a beta build of an upcoming Windows version to access new features. To enroll, go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program on your computer.
If prompted, link your Microsoft account to the program by clicking the button labeled "Link an account." Once that's done, select one of the eligible preview channels: Dev, Beta, or Release Preview.
As its name implies, the Dev Channel is mostly for developers comfortable troubleshooting issues and dealing with bugs. This is the least stable of the three channels.
Also: Windows 11 setup: Which user account type should you choose?
The Beta Channel is slightly more polished than the Dev Channel, but you still run the risk of issues and bugs.
The Release Preview Channel is the most stable of the three, and is the one you should join if you're only doing this to get early access to new features.
Once you select a preview channel, you'll be able to see a Windows update with the corresponding build. You'll need to download and install the update by going to Settings > Windows Update. When I updated my Surface Pro 8 to test this feature, I had to install a few rounds of updates. So, I suggest going to the Windows Update page and checking for more updates until there's none left.
Do I need to be on Windows 11, or can I use Windows 10?
According to Microsoft, you'll need to have Windows 11 installed on your PC to use Phone Link for iOS.
Can I turn off alerts for specific apps in the Phone Link app?
Yes. Just go to the Settings page in the Phone Link app, where you'll find the option to turn off alerts and notifications for all apps or specific apps, if you find getting all of your iPhone alerts on your PC is too noisy.