iMessage on Windows PCs is available to everyone
After a beta phase, Microsoft announcement iMessage support on Windows PC is now available for all users. It is thus possible to send and receive messages from your PC when it is linked to the iPhone. But beware: there are many limitations.
Arrival of iMessage for everyone on Windows
Support for iMessage on Windows is possible thanks to an update to Microsoft’s “Connected Mobile” (Phone Link) application. It is pre-installed and updates automatically. You can also force the update by going to the Microsoft Store now.
The application already supports Android smartphones, so users can reply to their messages, manage calls, transfer documents, get notifications and more, all directly from their PC. Now it comes to iOS support.
Microsoft uses Bluetooth to make the link with the Messages application of the iPhone (the one that manages iMessage). It’s sort of a workaround since Apple doesn’t normally allow devices from other manufacturers to use its email. Note that it is also possible to make calls and have notifications.
As said before, there are limits. You do not have access to the complete history of messages, you only have those sent and received via the “Mobile connected” application on Windows. Also, it is not possible to send photos/videos or participate in group conversations. However, it is possible that support for photos will come later knowing that Microsoft’s Photos application already supports iCloud photos.
Microsoft says that the iPhone must be running at least iOS 14 for iMessage support on Windows 11 to be possible. The group adds that the feature is rolling out and that 100% of users will have it by mid-May. If you don’t want to wait, update today from the Microsoft Store.