Microsoft made a major announcement on Tuesday that will help iPhone users who also use a Windows PC as their primary computer. The latest beta version of the company’s Phone Link app on Windows 11 will allow users to access iMessage on the iPhone and perform basic chat functions.
Microsoft provides details on how it works in its Windows Insider blog. The Phone Link app, which previously used Bluetooth to connect only to Android phones, will have a new option for the iPhone. Once connected and set up, users will receive basic assistance in accessing contacts, making calls, and using iPhone messages for text conversations.
However, message support does not extend far beyond one-to-one interactions. According to Microsoft’s blog post, group messaging is not supported and you won’t be able to send images, audio, or video. In an interview with The Verge, Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi also points out that Phone Link can’t tell the difference between a standard text message and one sent via iMessage, so no green or blue chat bubbles. Also, Phone Link can only see the messages it has sent and received, so it won’t show the full chat history on an iPhone.
Microsoft hasn’t mentioned whether iMessage features like editing or undoing messages, or bubble and screen effects will be available, but it’s safe to assume they won’t. Yet for the overwhelming number of iPhone users who also use Windows PCs as their primary computer, this is another welcome new feature to enable access to Apple devices and services. Last November, Microsoft added access to the Windows 11 Photos app to iCloud Photos. Microsoft also offers preview versions of the Apple Music and Apple TV apps for Windows; these applications are expected to be finalized later this year.
The new version of Phone Link with iOS support is currently in beta and available only through the Windows Insider program developers. Microsoft is making the app available to developers gradually, with more developers being able to access it over time. Microsoft hasn’t announced when the app will be available to the general public, but it will likely be part of a Windows 11 update.
