How to use iMessage on Windows

Apple’s iMessage isn’t as universal as some of the best messaging apps, but as the default app, it’s extremely popular and could be considered one of the best Mac apps. This is an Apple-exclusive app, however, so getting it to work elsewhere isn’t easy. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can use to get iMessage working on Windows. Here’s how to do it.

how to Use iMessage on Windows Using Phone Link

You can connect your iPhone to Windows via the Phone Link app, giving you quick and easy access to iMessage from your PC. Keep in mind that iMessages sent to your iPhone before setting up Phone Link will not sync to your PC. Only messages you sent using your PC after linking your iPhone to Windows will be displayed. The first messages from new senders will also not be synced.

Step 1: You will need iOS 14 or later and the latest version of Windows 11 to use the Phone Link app with Windows. If you need to, update your iPhone and Windows installation to the latest versions.

2nd step: Search for the “Phone Link” app in Windows Search and select the corresponding result to launch it. If you can’t find it, you can manually download the app here.

Step 3: When prompted, select iPhone among the available options.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your phone via Bluetooth. You will need to enable Bluetooth on your PC. After that, you will need to pair the devices with the QR code.

Step 5: Point your iPhone camera to scan the QR code on your PC. On the resulting screen on your iPhone, choose Open on the Pair your devices screen. Then, on your iPhone, authorize the app in your Bluetooth settings. Choose Continue

Step 6: You will see a prompt on your PC to pair your iPhone with your PC. Accept the prompt and make sure the PIN matches the one displayed on both devices. Choose Yes

Step 7: On your PC, choose Continue. Head to your iPhone to complete the necessary additional options. You should Allow access to notifications and allow shared system notifications, and Synchronize contacts.

Step 8: Once setup is complete, you should see your iPhone mirrored in the Phone Link app, with access to Messages, Calls, and Contacts, allowing you to easily access iMessage on Windows.

how to Use iMessage on Windows Using a MacBook

Another way to get iMessage on Windows is to use Chrome Remote Desktop. But first, you’ll need to set up your iOS and Mac devices.

Step 1: Open it Settings on your iPhone and select your Apple ID account. Then select Select iCloud.

2nd step: If you haven’t already, enable messages turn green to confirm it’s using iCloud.

Step 3: Switch to your MacBook and launch it messages application. Then log in with your Apple ID and password. If two-factor authentication is enabled, enter your verification when prompted.

Step 4: From the application menu bar, select messages followed by Settings.

Step 5: Select the iMessage tab when it appears.

Step 6: If necessary, activate your account and Messages in iCloud.

Step 7: Enable the number and email address you want to use with iMessage on Windows.

Step 8: Choose where you want new conversations to start, then select the Sync now button.

Step 9: Now that iMessage is working, we need to configure Chrome Remote Desktop.

Download the Chrome browser from the official website and install the application.

Step 10: Sign in to your Google account in Chrome or create one if you don’t have one.

Step 11: Go to the Chrome Remote Desktop page and select Share this screen. Then select the blue download button next to Share this screen, followed by Add to Chrome button in the pop-up window. This will download the Chrome Remote Desktop extension. If prompted, grant the necessary settings permissions.

Step 12: To use iMessage on Windows, your Mac must remain active, so it may be helpful to access System Preferences >Energy saving, and configure your Mac so that it doesn’t automatically sleep when the screen is off. Alternatively, you can wake the Mac while using iMessage and let it go to sleep when not in use.

Step 13: On your Windows PC or laptop, install Chrome from the official site if you don’t already have it, and log in with your account, or create one if you don’t have one.

Step 14: Go to the Chrome Remote Desktop extension page and select Add to Chrome to add the extension to your Chrome installation.

Step 15: On your MacBook, go to the Chrome Remote Desktop web app and select Share this screen > + Generate code.

Step 16: On your Windows PC, go to the Chrome Remote Desktop web app and select Share this screen. Then, under the title Connect to another computerenter the code you generated on your MacBook.

Step 17: When prompted on your MacBook, allow connections.

Step 18: If you followed these steps correctly, your Mac screen should now be streaming to your Windows PC. You can then launch the iMessage app via your MacBook streaming.

And those were two ways to use iMessage on Windows. The easiest way is to use the Phone Link app, but there remains the problem where you won’t necessarily see all iMessages from your iPhone to your PC. You will only see those that you have created on your PC itself. Still, it’s a good way to send text messages from your PC using your iPhone, if you don’t mind that caveat. For full access to iMessage, using Chrome Remote Desktop is also good, but you’ll need to own a Mac. There is also a third method, which is the Intel Unison app, but it requires a lot of additional configuration, whereas Phone Link is a more native solution.

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