Stop Squinting at Your iPhone. Here’s How to Use Apple Messages on a Windows PC
Stop Squinting at Your iPhone. Here’s How to Use Apple Messages on a Windows PC
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/stop-squinting-at-your-iphone-how-to-use-apple-messages-on-windows-pc
Publish Date: 2026-05-26 13:32:00
Source Domain: www.pcmag.com
As an iPhone owner, I rely on Apple Messages for texting. But writing and reading texts on my phone’s small screen can be a hassle, so I often turn to my Mac’s larger monitor and its built-in iMessages app. On a Windows PC, however, I use Microsoft’s Phone Link app.
For this to work, you’ll need a Microsoft account, the Phone Link app on your Windows PC, and Microsoft’s Link to Windows app on your iPhone. You’ll pair the devices, which will provide access to your iPhone’s text messages and contacts on your Windows PC, though there are some limits (more on that below). Here’s how to get started.
Set Up Phone Link
Launch Phone Link from its shortcut in the Apps section of the Windows 11 Start menu. The first screen asks if you’re setting up an Android phone or an iPhone. Click iPhone.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)
The next screen prompts you to pair your devices using Bluetooth. You can do this manually, but scanning the displayed QR code is easier. Scan the code with your iPhone’s camera and tap the Pair your devices link on your phone.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft / Apple)
On your phone, tap the Open button to launch the Link to Windows app and then tap Continue. Tap Allow to give Link to Windows permission to find Bluetooth devices. You’ll then see prompts to pair your devices on both your PC and your iPhone. Select the Pair button on both devices.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)
As your devices are paired, you may see a notice asking you to allow your PC to receive notifications from your phone. Tap Allow. You’ll then see a notice on both your PC and phone that your devices are paired.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)
Link Your Microsoft Account and Set Permissions
Next, you’re prompted to link your iPhone to your Microsoft account. Tap Continue. If you haven’t already done so, sign in to your Microsoft account when prompted. You’re then asked to allow Link to Windows to send you notifications when a file is sent from your…
