Microsoft announced The latest version of Phone Link for Windows 11 PCs released on Monday can receive notifications, send texts and answer calls from a user’s paired iPhone.
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Most Americans use iPhones, and Apple’s integration into its products has helped its Mac business take market share from Windows PCs in recent years. Apple accounted for about 10% of global PC shipments last year, with Windows machines making up the rest. According to IDC.
Microsoft’s move could eliminate a barrier for computer buyers who would otherwise choose a Mac. Phone Link previously only worked with Android phones.
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The Phone Link software doesn’t have as many features as Apple’s Messages for Mac. According to it it works via bluetooth ledgeAnd it requires Microsoft’s “Link to Windows” app to be installed on the iPhone.
A Phone Link-enabled Windows PC receives notifications from the user’s iPhone and displays messages in Windows. It does not support group texts via iMessage nor does it allow users to send photos or videos. Phone Link can only display messages that it sends or receives, so a user who has sent some texts on their phone won’t be able to see that part of their message history in the Windows app.
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“The messaging feature is limited by iOS,” the company said in Monday’s announcement. An Apple representative did not respond to a request for comment.
