How to Send and Receive Texts on a Laptop or PC (2026)

Working on a laptop and still jumping up for every SMS is a drag. Windows can mirror texts (and more) from your phone; Mac users can do the same with Messages and Text Message Forwarding. Here is the current setup for 2026, with Microsoft Phone Link for Android and iPhone, plus the usual web/desktop chat apps.

Official Phone Link requirements and pairing steps come from Microsoft Support. Apple Text Message Forwarding steps match current Messages settings on iPhone and Mac.

What you need

• Windows + Android: Windows 10 (October 2022 update or later) or Windows 11, Android 10 or later, both devices on the same Wi‑Fi for the best experience.
• Windows + iPhone: Windows 10 or 11 with Bluetooth Low Energy, iPhone on iOS 16 or later, Bluetooth on for both.
• Mac + iPhone: Same Apple ID on both, Messages enabled, Text Message Forwarding for green-bubble SMS.

Method 1: Phone Link on Windows (Android)

Microsoft renamed the PC app to Phone Link. On Android you still use the Link to Windows app (preinstalled on many Samsung/HONOR/OPPO devices, or download from Google Play / aka.ms/yourpc).

Set up from your PC

1. On the PC, open Start, search for Phone Link, and open it. Sign in with your Microsoft account if asked.
2. Choose Android. On your phone, install or open Link to Windows (use the link shown on the PC, often aka.ms/yourpc).
3. Sign into the phone app with the same Microsoft account as the PC.
4. Back on the PC, check I have the Link to Windows app ready, then select Pair with QR code (or Pair manually if you prefer a code).
5. In Link to Windows on the phone, choose Link your phone and PC, allow camera access, and scan the QR code on the PC.
6. Grant the Android permissions for messages, calls, notifications, and photos as prompted, then select Done.

Send a text from Phone Link

1. Open Phone Link on the PC and select Messages (enable Messages under Settings → Features if it is off).
2. Select New message, pick a contact or enter a number, type your text, and send.

If Phone Link is missing on Windows 11, open Settings, search for Phone Link, turn it on, and install when prompted.

Method 2: Phone Link on Windows (iPhone)

1. Turn on Bluetooth on the PC and iPhone. Keep both nearby.
2. Open Phone Link, choose iPhone, and follow the pairing prompts.
3. Scan the QR code with the iPhone Camera app to start Bluetooth pairing.
4. On the iPhone, allow sharing for notifications, messages, and contacts when asked so texts and calls can sync.

iPhone pairing needs Bluetooth Low Energy on the PC. Work or school Microsoft accounts are not supported for Phone Link.

Method 3: Web and desktop chat apps

If you only need WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, or Google Messages, skip Phone Link and use the official desktop or web clients:

• WhatsApp: WhatsApp Desktop or web.whatsapp.com (scan the QR code in the phone app).
• Google Messages: messages.google.com/web from a phone using Google Messages.
• Telegram / Signal: official desktop apps from their sites.

For a broader roundup of private messengers, see our best private messaging apps guide and the best messaging apps roundup.

Method 4: Messages on Mac with an iPhone

iMessage between Apple devices

1. On the Mac, open Messages from the Dock or Spotlight (Command + Space, then type Messages).
2. Sign in with the same Apple ID you use for Messages on the iPhone.
3. Click the compose button, enter a contact, and send. Blue bubbles are iMessage.

Forward green-bubble SMS/MMS through your iPhone

1. Sign both Mac and iPhone into the same Apple ID (System Settings → Apple ID / iCloud on Mac; Settings → your name on iPhone).
2. On the iPhone go to Settings → Messages and turn on iMessage.
3. Tap Text Message Forwarding and enable your Mac. Enter the verification code that appears on the Mac if prompted.
4. Green-bubble SMS now routes through your iPhone number when you use Messages on the Mac.

Carrier SMS limits and rates still apply to green-bubble texts because they go through your phone line.

Troubleshooting quick hits

• Phone Link will not pair (Android): Same Wi‑Fi, same Microsoft account, update Windows and Link to Windows, then try Pair manually instead of QR.
• iPhone Phone Link stuck: Forget the PC under iPhone Bluetooth settings, remove the device in Phone Link Settings → My devices, toggle Bluetooth off/on, pair again.
• No SMS on Mac: Confirm Text Message Forwarding is on and both devices use the same Apple ID for Messages.

Related TechEngage reads: best private messaging apps, how to use AirDrop, and things to do after buying a new smartphone.