Send Text Messages From Your Computer

June 2020 — Tip of the Month

I like smartphones. I like texting. But I don't like typing on my small iPhone keyboard. That's why, when I'm at work, I send most text messages directly from my computer.

Did you know you can receive and send texts from your computer?

Mac Users

If you're using a Mac and an iPhone:

1. Log into your Mac with your Apple ID.
2. Open the Messages app.
3. Select Messages → Preferences... , then click the iMessage tab and make sure your Apple ID is enabled and your phone number is checked.
4. Apple's Messages app will send iMessages (to iPhone users) and texts (to Android users) automatically.

If you're using a Mac and an Android phone:

1. Install the Messages app (by Google) on your Android phone if necessary.
2. Open the Messages app on your phone.
3. Tap the "More" button (three dots) and Select Messages for web.
4. Open messages.google.com/web in your web browser.
5. Scan the QR code in the browser window on your phone.

Windows Users

If you're using Windows and an Android phone:

1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Select the Phone option, then click Add a Phone.
3. Select Android, then click Continue.
4. Follow the instructions to install Your Phone Companion on your Android Phone.
5. Open Your Phone Companion and follow the instructions to link it to Windows.

If you're using Windows and an iPhone:

1. Open Windows Settings.
2. Select the Phone option, then click Add a Phone.
3. Select iPhone, then click Continue.
4. Install Microsoft Edge on your iPhone.
5. Open Microsoft Edge and follow the instructions to link your iPhone with your Windows PC.

Why Text from Your Computer?

I type roughly 3x faster using a full-size computer keyboard than my iPhone SE's tiny on-screen keyboard. So sending texts from my Mac saves a lot of time. It's also more ergonomic and allows me to take a break from looking at my phone for a few hours each day.

If you've never linked your phone to your computer, I recommend trying it. You might start sending more texts from your PC than your phone.

- Per Christensson