If you’re sitting at your computer and receive a text message on your phone, wouldn’t it be convenient to be able to reply without picking up your phone? Luckily, there are excellent apps and services that allow just that. Whether you use Apple or Android, you can send and receive text messages on your Mac, Windows PC, or Chromebook. Read on to discover the best option for you.
Sending Texts on Windows 10
This solution is ideal for Windows 10 PC users with an Android phone. It relies on Microsoft’s built-in Your Phone app, introduced in the April 2018 Update, and the Your Phone Companion app for Android. With this combination, you can send and receive texts on your Windows 10 PC, get Android notifications in the Action Center, and access photos stored on your phone. Please note that while the Your Phone app also supports iPhones, it’s limited to forwarding webpages from Microsoft Edge for iOS, and does not include text messaging, notifications, or photo access.
To use this method, you’ll need:
- Android 7.0 Nougat or newer.
- Windows 10 April 2018 Update or newer.
Step 1: Locate and launch the Your Phone app by clicking the Start button or typing “your” into the taskbar’s search field and selecting the app.
Step 2: Once the app opens, select Android, then Continue.
Step 3: Switch to your Android phone and install the Your Phone Companion – Link to Windows app from Google Play. On certain Samsung phones, tap on Link to Windows instead, sign in to a Microsoft Account, and check if the Windows 10 PC appears.
Step 4: After installing the app, go back to your Windows PC and open the Your Phone app. Tick the box next to the option “Yes, I Finished Installing Your Phone Companion” and click the “Open QR Code” button.
Step 5: Return to your phone, tap the phrase “Is There a QR Code On Your PC?” and tap Continue to allow the app to access your phone’s camera. Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code on your PC’s screen, then click Done on the PC.
Step 6: On your phone’s screen, tap Continue to enable permissions for Your Phone device pairing. Grant all the necessary permissions by tapping Allow, and choose whether to allow the Your Phone mobile app to always run in the background.
Step 7: Finally, tap Done to complete the pairing process. With the two devices connected, you can now send and receive messages on your Windows 10 PC using your Android phone. Note that this method does not work with third-party text messaging apps. Additionally, you can also access photos, make calls, and receive notifications.
Sending Texts via iMessage (iOS, iPadOS, MacOS)
This method is typically for Apple device owners with a cellular connection. However, as it uses Apple’s iMessage format, users can bypass the need for a cellular connection when messaging other Apple devices.
iMessages can be sent over the internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data and appear with blue bubbles, only received on Apple devices. Standard SMS and MMS messages can be sent over the regular wireless carrier plan, highlighted by green bubbles and received by non-Apple devices.
To send messages to both Apple and non-Apple users, follow these steps:
Step 1: Ensure your iPhone is logged in with your Apple ID.
Step 2: Open the Settings app and select Messages.
Step 3: Toggle on the iMessage switch to enable the service.
Step 4: Tap Send & Receive and verify the phone number and email accounts associated with iMessage. Also, select a phone number and/or email address that can start a new conversation.
Step 5: Repeat the previous steps on all other iOS and iPadOS devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 6: On a Mac, open the Messages app, click Messages on the menu bar, select Preferences, and sign in with the same Apple ID.
Step 7: Return to the iPhone and go to Messages in the Settings app. Tap Text Message Forwarding and toggle on the switch for the desired Apple device to send and receive SMS and MMS messages.
To send a message on any Apple device, click or tap the Pencil icon, enter the recipient(s), and compose the message as usual. Remember that the standard 160-character limit applies even when using iMessages.
It’s important to note that iMessages are free when connected to Wi-Fi but count against your monthly data allotment when using a 4G or 5G network. Standard SMS and MMS messages are facilitated through your wireless carrier.
Sending Texts via Android Messages (Android and PC)
Android phone users can benefit from this method, regardless of the type of computer they use. All you need is a browser and the Android Messages app. Android Messages allows you to text directly from a web interface, whether on a desktop, laptop, or even an Apple device. Just make sure to set Android Messages as your default app on your phone before starting.
Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Visit the Android Messages homepage.
Step 2: Open the Android Messages app on your phone.
Step 3: Tap the Three-Dots menu icon and select Messages for Web.
Step 4: Tap the blue QR Code Scanner button and use your phone to scan the QR code on the Android Messages homepage. This will sync your device and browser, and you’ll see messages and contacts appear on your computer.
Step 5: Use the web interface to chat with friends and family, just like you would on an Android smartphone.
You won’t need to rescan the QR code every time you use the platform since you can sync your devices. When prompted, select “Yes” when the web interface asks if you want it to remember your computer.
Sending Texts via Email
Additionally, you can transfer SMS messages using the email client on your phone. This allows you to send and receive text messages even without a cell phone. However, you’ll need to know the recipient’s cell phone carrier to ensure successful delivery. If you’re unsure, you can use CarrierLookup to find out.
To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of popular U.S.-based cell phone service providers and their respective gateway emails. Different gateways may be necessary depending on the type of message you’re sending. Refer to our comprehensive article on sending text messages via email for more information.
- AT&T: [phonenumber]@txt.att.net (SMS) and [phonenumber]@mms.att.net (MMS)
- Boost Mobile: [phonenumber]@sms.myboostmobile.com (SMS) and [phonenumber]@myboostmobile.com (MMS)
- Cricket Wireless: [phonenumber]@mms.cricketwireless.net (SMS and MMS)
- T-Mobile: [phonenumber]@tmomail.net (SMS and MMS)
- U.S. Cellular: [phonenumber]@email.uscc.net (SMS) and [phonenumber]@mms.uscc.net (MMS)
- Verizon: [phonenumber]@vtext.com (SMS) and [phonenumber]@vzwpix.com (MMS)
Please note that Cricket Wireless and T-Mobile use the same address for both SMS and MMS messages. If you’re sending a message to T-Mobile, remember to include the U.S. country code (1) before entering the phone number.
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