For iPhone user lodge between Apple and Microsoft ’s worlds , there ’s good news that will help make jumping from one to the other a little sluttish . Microsoft hasannouncedthat it will roll out support for iMessages through the Phone Link app start today . The update is usable for Windows 11 users and allows you to broadcast subject matter via your iPhone without touching the machine .
Phone Link uses Bluetooth to sync up with your Io devices , which is how it ’s work with Android smartphones thus far . But for iPhone exploiter , it ’s a little more circumscribed at launch : you’re able to only direct and get messages to individuals , get by notifications as they come in , and conduct earpiece calls . It ’s less rich than the Phone Link ’s capability with Android twist , which permit you to drag and neglect pic from the camera ringlet . Some phones , like Samsung ’s Galaxy S serial , even let you employ app cyclosis to mirror an Android app flat on your PC .
Windows Insiders had early access to this feature beginning in February as part of a significant package rollout . But grant to Microsoft , it will take until mid - May before iOS syncing is available to all Windows 11 users . I tried get at the feature from a Surface Go with the latest Windows 11 physical body , but the option to connect an iPhone remains dulled out . you could at least download thePhone Linkapp from the Apple App Store if you ’re on iOS and require to prepare for the feature ’s arriver .

Windows Phone Link is available to download from the Apple App Store.Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo
If you ’re a Windows Insider , you already have access to the new feature article . Once you glance over the QR code to connect with your iPhone , you ’ll have to dig into the iOS setting in the Bluetooth card and enable full memory access to your Windows machine for notifications and phone calls to total through . Phone Link for Io ferment with iOS 14 , Windows 11 , and the late Phone Link software update . It is not available for iPad OS or MacOS , though . If you require entree to helpful photograph syncing , Microsoft suggests using the build - in iCloud integration with the Windows Photos app .
The iMessage - to - Windows grapevine has been five years in the fashioning . Microsoft ’s Joe Belfiore firsthintedthat it was work on on this kind of integration back in 2018 in an consultation withThe Verge .
I ’m bet forward to being able-bodied to manage Android and iOS devices at the same time , as I ’m presently beguile three unlike phone numbers between platforms . unluckily , Android twist remain incompatible with iMessage , even in this capacity . Although you could look at Android substance via a web app on iOS through the wandering browser app , similar accession remains unavailable for viewing iMessages from an Android twist . You also ca n’t send iMessages to the Android platform , where the dreaded “ green bubble ” moniker originated . Enticing Apple to tolerate it has been one of Google ’s major campaigns since it told Apple to “ get the substance ” last year . mayhap Microsoft has some tips on how to entice Apple to comply .

If you update your Phone Link app now, you might see the iPhone option greyed out until it’s fully rolled out next month.Screenshot: Florence Ion / Gizmodo
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