Using Apple’s iMessage Platform on Windows PCs
Microsoft is making it possible to use Apple’s highly regarded iMessage messaging platform on Windows computers through an update to its Phone Link app. This will enable Windows PC contacts (who also use an iPhone) to send messages to each other. However, there are some limitations as Phone Link cannot enable group messaging, nor can it send photos or videos.
What Phone Link Can Do
The version of the iOS Messages app that is brought to Windows is basic and only recent messages sent or received using the Phone Link app will appear. There is no difference between a regular text message and one sent using iMessage, and thus no blue or green text bubbles. On Android, the Phone Link app has more capabilities, including the ability to read and reply to text messages, make and receive calls, view notifications, share content between PC and phone, and view phone apps on a PC.
Why Microsoft Added iPhone Support
Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s head of consumer marketing, said, “We send the messages back and forth via Bluetooth, Apple, I think in turn, sends those as iMessage once it gets onto their system.” Microsoft has added iPhone support for the Phone Link app as it felt the experience with Android was quite good and wanted to offer something for iPhone users. The version of Phone Link with iOS support will be available for Windows Insiders in the Dev, Beta, and Release Preview channels, but only for a small percentage of users.
