With the new update, Microsoft is taking a step closer to making it possible for iPhone users to send iMessage messages on their Windows machines.
In a blog post, Microsoft announced that it is testing iMessage running on Windows through the Phone Link app. The Phone Link app allows Android and iOS users to connect their smartphones to activate certain functions on their computers.
For those with a beta account, a new option will show up in the Phone Link app to add an iPhone. Once connected, users will be able to send iMessages from their Windows 11 PC to their iPhone . Microsoft says that despite the limitation, users will be able to make calls, view contacts, and send messages via iMessage .
The Redmond-based company says iMessage support will be limited, with users unable to reply to group messages, send photos or videos via PC. They also won’t see conversation history for any previous users.
However, this is the first time Windows users have been able to send iMessages from their iPhones to their computers via iMessage. Of course, the smoothest and most complete iMessage experience is still on Apple computers.
Sending and receiving iMessage messages is currently only available to developers and Windows Insider program participants, Microsoft will distribute a preview to a small group of internal users starting this week, so no one must see it immediately. This announcement comes on the same day Windows 11 received a notable update that brought AI-integrated Bing search to the taskbar.