How to use iMessage on Windows computer?

iMessage is a very secure, fast and reliable instant messaging service from Apple, but you can only use this application on Apple devices. This is quite limited, especially for those of you using Windows computers, but with the following methods you can completely experience iMessage on Windows.

How to Use Phone Link to Use iMessages on Windows

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

Download Link to Windows app on iPhone

You need to download the Microsoft app called Link to Windows on your iPhone from the App Store. Tap Open to launch the app and get started.

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

Connect iPhone with Phone Link on Windows

On your PC, click the search bar and type "Phone Link." Click the Phone Link app that appears in the results to launch it. Keep in mind that if you don't see the app, you may need to update Windows to the latest available version.

After launching Phone Link, select the mobile device you want to connect to by clicking on iPhone.

The app will display a QR code that can be scanned using the Camera app on your iPhone. Tap Pair Your Devices when it appears on your iPhone — it appears below the QR code. Then tap Open on the prompt that appears.

On the next screen, tap Continue . Make sure the code you see matches the code on your computer screen and tap Pair .

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

On your iPhone, tap Done . You're almost done setting up iMessage for your PC; there's just one more step left.

Sync contacts and messages from iPhone

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

Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your phone and tap the i icon next to your PC's name. Turn on Share System Notifications , Show Notifications , and Sync Contacts .

Click Continue in the Phone Link app on Windows to sync contacts and messages from iPhone.

You're done! The good news is that the setup process only takes one time. Your phone and Windows PC will now automatically connect as long as Bluetooth is turned on and the two devices are within range.

View and write messages in the Phone Link app

Any messages you receive on your iPhone can be viewed in the Phone Link app by opening the Messages tab at the top. Click on the sender's name to view the ongoing conversation in the chat window on the right.

Click New Message - the blue pencil icon - to send a message to a contact who doesn't have an existing message thread. Start typing the person's name in the text box that appears and select that name from the search results.

Type a message in the chat box below and press Enter or click Send .

As long as you have notifications enabled on the Phone Link app, you will receive a notification when the other person responds.

An Alternative Method to Using iMessages on Windows

If you don't want to use Phone Link, there is an alternative, albeit more complicated, way to interact with iMessage on a Windows PC. This method involves using the Remote Desktop extension for Chrome , which can be downloaded from the Chrome Web Store. However, you'll need to have a Mac and a Windows computer, and then install the extension on both devices.

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

If iMessage isn't working or Remote Desktop isn't working, first check to see if your Windows PC is connected to the Internet and make sure you have a stable network connection. Of course, if you can't send messages to someone, whether on your PC or iPhone, they may have blocked you on iMessage .

See also:

• Common iMessage errors and how to fix them
• Can I use FaceTime on Windows?
• 12 Cool Things You Can Do With iMessage on iPhone, iPad