The Complete Guide to Using Apple's Messaging Service in Windows

The Complete Guide to Using Apple's Messaging Service in Windows

Richard Lv13

The Complete Guide to Using Apple’s Messaging Service in Windows

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Key Takeaways

  • For your iPhone and Windows computer to communicate, you will need to connect them over Bluetooth.
  • To sync contacts and messages to your Windows PC, you’ll need to install the Link to Windows app on your iPhone.
  • Use the Phone Link app on Windows to send and receive iMessages.

Looking at your iPhone to check your messages can be distracting when you’re working. Apple’s excellent cross-device support means that you can easily send and receive messages on a Mac without breaking your flow. But did you know that it’s as simple if you have a Windows PC, too?

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If you’re running the latest version of Windows, the Microsoft Phone Link app should already be installed on your device. If not, you may have toupdate Windows on your computer first. You’ll use this app to sync contacts and messages from your iPhone.

You’ll need to download a Microsoft app called Link to Windows on your iPhone from theApp Store . TapOpen to launch the app to get started.

Downloading the Link to Windows app on iPhone.

The screen that appears when you first open the Link to Windows app on iPhone.

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Before continuing on the app,connect your iPhone to the Windows PC via Bluetooth since this is how Link to Windows will communicate with Phone Link.

On the PC, click theSearch bar and type “phone link.” Click thePhone Link app that appears in the results to launch it. Remember, if you don’t see the app, you may need to update Windows to the latest version available.

Opening the Phone Link app on Windows.

After launching Phone Link, choose the mobile device you want to connect to by clickingiPhone .

Choosing a mobile device in the Phone Link app on Windows.

The app will display a QR code that you can scan using the Camera app on your iPhone. TapPair Your Devices when it appears on your iPhone—it will pop up below the QR code. Then, tapOpen on the prompt that appears.

Scanning a QR code on an iPhone,

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Prompt to open the Link to Windows app after scanning the QR code.

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On the next screen, tapContinue . Ensure the code you see matches the one on your computer screen, and tapPair .

Screen to continue pairing with a Windows PC in the Link to Windows app on iPhone.

The prompt with a pairing code in the Link to Windows app on iPhone.

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Now, go to the Phone Link app on Windows and clickPair .

The pairing screen with code in the Phone Link app on Windows.

On your iPhone, tapDone . You’re almost done setting up iMessage for your PC; there’s just one more step.

Sync Contacts and Messages from Your iPhone

The final step is to sync your iPhone’s contacts and messages with the Phone Link app on Windows.

Go toSettings > Bluetooth on your phone and tap thei icon next to your PC’s name. Toggle onShare System Notifications ,Show Notification , andSync Contacts .

The Bluetooth settings page on iPhone.

The Bluetooth settings of a Windows PC on iPhone.

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ClickContinue in the Phone link app on Windows to sync contacts and messages from your iPhone.

And you’re done! The good news is that the setup is a one-time process. Your phone and Windows PC should now automatically connect as long as Bluetooth is enabled and the two devices are within range.

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You can see any messages you receive on your iPhone in the Phone Link app by opening theMessages tab at the top. Click on the sender’s name to see the ongoing conversation in a chat window on the right.

Viewing messages in the phone link app.

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ClickNew Message —the blue pencil icon button—to send a message to a contact who doesn’t have an existing thread. Start typing the person’s name in the text box that appears and select it from the search results.

Searching for a contact in the Phone Link app on Windows.

Type your message in the chat box at the bottom and press Enter or clickSend .

Sending a message in the Phone Link app on Windows.

As long as you have notifications enabled on the Phone Link app, you will get an alert when the other person responds.

An Alternative Method to Use iMessage on Windows

If you don’t want to use the Phone Link, there is an alternate, albeit more complicated, way to interact with iMessage on your Windows PC. This method involves using the Remote Desktop extension for Chrome, which you can download from theChrome Web Store . However, you will also need a Mac and Windows computer and install the extension on both devices.

Launch Messages on your Mac and share the screen with the Windows PC using the Remote Desktop extension. You can then interact with iMessage on the PC through the shared screen.

If your messages aren’t going through or the Remote Desktop extension isn’t working, first check whether theWindows PC is connected to the Internet and ensure you have astable network connection . Of course, if you aren’t able to send someone a message, whether on a PC or your iPhone, the person may haveblocked you on iMessage .

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  • Title: The Complete Guide to Using Apple's Messaging Service in Windows
  • Author: Richard
  • Created at : 2024-10-29 17:58:55
  • Updated at : 2024-11-01 19:26:34
  • Link: https://win11-tips.techidaily.com/the-complete-guide-to-using-apples-messaging-service-in-windows/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.