Microsoft Completes Rollout of Basic iMessage Support on Windows 11

Microsoft today announced it has completed its rollout of iPhone support for its Phone Link app on Windows 11, as spotted by The Verge.

Windows 11 Phone Link iMessage
With the Phone Link app for Windows 11 and the Link to Windows app for iOS, iPhone users can make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages, and view notifications directly on their PC. Notably, this means Windows 11 technically supports iMessage, although there are several limitations, including a lack of support for group chats, photos, videos, and conversation history beyond the current chat session.

All messages appear as gray bubbles in the Phone Link app, meaning iMessages and SMS text messages cannot be differentiated on a PC. In addition, messages are only delivered to a PC while the iPhone is connected via Bluetooth. Microsoft says the iPhone must be running iOS 14 or later, and this feature is not available for the iPad or Mac.

All in all, this is a rather clunky workaround to Apple's lack of true iMessage support on Windows, but it's better than nothing for iPhone users with a PC.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Slim Feature

'iPhone 17 Air' With 'Major' Design Changes and 19-Inch MacBook Detailed in New Report

Sunday December 15, 2024 9:47 am PST by
Apple is planning a series of "major design" and "format changes" for iPhones over the next few years, according to The Wall Street Journal's Aaron Tilley and Yang Jie. The paywalled report published today corroborated the widely-rumored "iPhone 17 Air" with an "ultrathin" design that is thinner than current iPhone models. The report did not mention a specific measurement, but previous...
iphone 17 pro concept render cameras

Major iPhone 17 Pro Redesign Backed by Supply Chain Info, Claims Leaker

Thursday December 12, 2024 4:36 am PST by
Next year's iPhone 17 Pro models will reportedly feature a major redesign, specifically centering around changes to the rear camera module, and now new supply chain information appears to confirm the striking change, according to a Chinese leaker. iPhone 17 Pro concept render Late last month, The Information's Wayne Ma claimed that the rear of the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro...
Generic iOS 18

Apple Releases First Betas of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3

Monday December 16, 2024 10:06 am PST by
Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2. iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software update. There's no word yet on what's included in iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, ...
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

Apple 'Working' on Redesigned Magic Mouse With a Long-Awaited 'Fix'

Sunday December 15, 2024 8:43 am PST by
Apple is working on a redesigned Magic Mouse that will address some "longstanding complaints," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple in recent months has been working on a "full overhaul" of the Magic Mouse with a design that "better fits the modern era." However, he does not expect the new Magic Mouse to be released in the "next 12 to 18...
AirTag 2 Mock Feature

AirTag 2 Expected to Launch Next Year With 'Considerable' Upgrade to Item Tracking

Sunday December 15, 2024 2:57 pm PST by
Apple plans to release a second-generation AirTag next year with "considerably" longer range for item tracking, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new AirTag will use Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, or equivalent technology. The chip debuted last year in the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple said it offers up...

Top Rated Comments

vegetassj4 Avatar
21 months ago
SpongeBob Narrator:





Seriously though, the phone has to be connected via Bluetooth in order to receive messages, SMH! Personally, I wouldn't even bother with this.

Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
21 months ago
Does anyone feel like this is still a half-baked Windows App? This App would be perfect for Microsoft Lumia.

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cocky jeremy Avatar
21 months ago

Why? Are you a gamer?
That's the only reason I have a PC at home.. lol.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
21 months ago
I don't miss Windows, just sayin ... LOL
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
21 months ago

The majority of iPhone owners don't use a computer at home at all. And the same applies for Android.
nonsense.
https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2018/acs/ACS-39.pdf?#:~:text=In%202016%2C%20the%20American%20Community,common%20feature%20of%20everyday%20life.
Among all households in 2016, 89 percent had a computer, which includes smartphones, and 81 per- cent had a broadband Internet subscription.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alexandr Avatar
21 months ago
Wish I had any friends that use PC's :(
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)