Most cross-platform messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram have dedicated web portals and desktop apps that allow users to remotely chat from their PC or laptops, without needing to pick up their phones. This comes in handy when you need to stay connected with your friends and family while you’re at work or occupied with a project on your PC. iPhone users haven’t had this option for iMessage yet. That may change soon as Microsoft is looking to extend its Phone Link services to iOS. Right now, you can use Phone Link for your iPhone if you are signed up for the Windows Insider Program. This will allow you to access iMessage on your Windows 11 PC or laptop. Here is a brief explainer on how to use iMessage on Windows 11 using Microsoft Phone Link.
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Here’s how you can use Phone Link to access iMessage on Windows 11
Before you begin, you will need to sign up for Windows Insider Program to use Phone Link for your iPhone. You can do so by going to Settings>Windows Update>Windows Insider Program and selecting Get Started.
Step 1: Download and Install the Microsoft Phone Link app on your Windows PC or laptop.
Step 2: Install the Link to Windows iOS app on your iPhone from the App Store.
Step 3: Launch the Phone Link app on your PC and select iPhone.
Step 4: Sign in to Phone Link using your Microsoft Account.
Step 5: Launch the Link to Windows app on your iPhone and scan the QR displayed on the Windows app.
Step 6: Give the app the necessary permissions to connect to your Windows PC or laptop.
Once connected, you will be able to send and receive iMessages from your PC.
Limitations of using Phone Link for iOS
Although it is a pretty handy app, there are some limitations that come with using Phone Link for iOS. To begin with, Phone Link cannot access the messaging history from your iPhone. This means you will only be able to view the messages you send and receive while your iPhone is connected to your PC.
As of now, there is no way to send images on iMessage using Phone Link for Windows. Microsoft may introduce this feature in future, but right now, basic texting is as good as it gets. The green and blue chat bubbles are also unavailable on Windows as Phone Link uses its own messaging interface for iMessage. Lastly, Phone Link for iOS is only available for Windows 11 users who have signed up for beta testing. It will be rolled out to the general audience in the coming months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Phone Link work with iOS?
If you are a part of the Windows Insider Program, you use the Beta version of Phone Link for iOS.
Can I use iMessage on Windows?
Yes, using the Phone Link beta app, you can use iMessage on your Windows 11 PC or laptop.
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Conclusion
This is how you can use iMessage on Windows 11 using Microsoft Phone Link. While its functionality is extremely limited, we can only hope Microsoft fleshes it out with further updates. Right now, you can only see the messages that are sent to your while your iPhone is linked to your desktop. The green and blue chat bubbles from iMessage do not show up on the Phone Link app either.
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