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Microsoft Completes Rollout of Basic iMessage Support on Windows 11

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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.

Tags: iMessage, Microsoft, Windows

Top Rated Comments

vegetassj4 Avatar
vegetassj4
38 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.

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

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Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
jz0309
38 months ago
I don't miss Windows, just sayin ... LOL
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cocky jeremy Avatar
cocky jeremy
38 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
jz0309
38 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)
LeeW Avatar
LeeW
38 months ago
At least they are trying to add more functionality that has benefits. Let's not forget, the majority of iPhone owners use Windows, not macOS.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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