You do n’t always have to squinch at a 6 - inch screen and tip out your communications on a piddling touch keyboard . Most messaging apps now let you use your laptop or desktop computer as well as your phone . Here are all the options you ’ve got across SMS , iMessage , WhatsApp , and more .
Apple iMessage
If only every messaging - app - to - computing machine connection was as simple as the one between Messages on iOS / iPadOS and Messages on macOS . Everything gets set up mechanically and works ( almost ) seamlessly , which is great if Apple computer hardware and iMessage is all you ever need to apply .
To utilize iMessage ( Apple ’s own instant messaging service ) on your Mac , just contract in with your Apple ID when you plunge the Messages app ( to do it by and by , choose Messages , Preferences , then iMessage from inside the app ) . You ’ll also need iMessage enabled on your iPhone ( control Messages in configurations ) .
This wo n’t mould with SMS / MMS for your non - iMessage friends by default . To get this workings , go to Messages in preferences on iOS , strike schoolbook substance furtherance , and make certain your Mac is enabled . Next , from the main configurations screen , wiretap your name and iCloud , then toggle Messages on . In Messages on the Mac , take Messages , Preferences , and iMessage , then check that your telephone number is selected and that the Enable Messages in iCloud box is tick .
Photo: Alex Cranz (Gizmodo)
With all that done , your SMS / MMS messages should sync too , but it can be a little temperamental in our experience . If you run into job try re-start your Mac and/or your iPhone , or turning iMessage off and on again — anything that can reset the connection and get Apple ’s servers to launch the sync again .
Microsoft’s Your Phone Companion
There ’s nothing quite so slick built into Windows , but Microsoft is continually improving its Your Phone app : search for it from the taskbar if you have n’t try it out yet . It only work with Android phones , as you might wait study Io does n’t give any other app text message approach , and you also require theYour Phone Companionapp for Android installed .
It ’s just a question of signing in with your Microsoft ID and linking your sound issue , and your textual matter messages then show up by magic . you could compose new messages and reply to existing ones right on from your laptop or background and depart your phone in your pocket — in fact it ’s almost as good as iMessage .
Android Messages
Android users can also make use ofAndroid Messages on the vane , which apparently works across Windows , macOS , ChromeOS , and everywhere else you may access a browser app . The first prison term you load up the site , you ’ll be present a QR codification : FromMessageson your Android phone , tap the three Lucy in the sky with diamonds ( top rightfulness ) , then Messages for entanglement to scan it .
Third-party tools
While the options ramp up into Windows and macOS can certainly do a problem for you , you might favor draft the help of a third - company serving instead . Third - party apps be given to have more full-bodied financial backing across platforms and you ’ve got a number of them to blame from .
Pushbulletis a long - time Field Guide preferred and once you ’ve record an account on the web , installedthe Android app , signed in with the same explanation , and worked through the abbreviated apparatus physical process , you ’ll be able to send out and experience schoolbook substance through thePushbullet web interfaceon Windows and macOS ( there ’s also a dedicated desktop app for Windows you’re able to use ) .
you could also respond to messages in a handful of apps , including WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger , via thePushbullet Chrome extension — it should just work automatically once you sign in . In this case you may only reply to messages using the notification that pop up though , so it ’s not a full sync of all your conversation .
iMessage.Screenshot: Gizmodo
Also of note and similar to Pushbullet isEasyJoin Pro . It works with SMS , WhatsApp , and Facebook Messenger , and you ’ll needthe Android appinstalled as well . Sign into EasyJoin with the same news report on your phone and your figurer ( vane , Windows , and macOS apps are available ) , and you ’ll be guided through the simple process of getting message syncing set up .
The only drawback is that the mobile app costs $ 10 , but you get a short ton of other functionality for your money — clipboard and presentment sync , easy file cabinet and folder transference , and more . If you need a seriously powerful solvent for keeping an Android phone and a information processing system connected , it ’s deserving the investment .
MightyTextis another long - running SMS syncing prick , which works in a similar way to the coating we ’ve already name . Getthe app for Android , and it ’ll sync with a screen background app for Windows or macOS , or withMightyText on the WWW — your Google account provides the connection .
Android Messages.Screenshot: Gizmodo
MightyText is a small more comprehensive than Pushbullet , but not quite as polished . As well as station and receiving textual matter messages , you could also cancel them very easily , and sync photos and videos from your phone as well . Sign up for MightyText Pro ( $ 10 a month or $ 80 a twelvemonth ) , and you may schedule SMS message to be sent at a certain time , and access a few other forward-looking characteristic .
Desktop and web apps
We ’ve already mentioned Android Messages on the WWW , but plenty of other messaging apps can be debase up in any connection internet browser as well — more than you might have understand . you may enjoy the convenience of typing out your communications using a full - sized keyboard and then just close down the web browser check when you ’re done .
Facebook Messengeris one of the easily - bed unity , and the consecrate Messenger site sour a lot better than the main Facebook site — fewer distractions , a better design , more useful feature . you may easily look for through conversations , set specific colors for each chat , and even configure custom emojis to replace the default thumbs - up .
Just sign in with your Facebook score and you ’re up and tend . get across on a conversation to persuade on with it , use the lookup loge to find old conversations , or start a young chat with the compose button up at the top on the left wing . you may have your web browser alert you to new substance too , if you desire .
Pushbullet.Screenshot: Gizmodo
Whatsapp is on the webtoo — you’ll be shown a QR code , which you’re able to read with WhatsApp on your phone by tapping the three superman in the top left then WhatsApp Web ( Android ) , or by tapping the configurations cog ikon then WhatsApp Web ( iPhone ) . The World Wide Web app let you enable or disable desktop presentment , and you’re able to still throw in GIFs and stumper and emojis , and transfer file cabinet , just like you’re able to in the mobile apps .
If you need more than the web user interface , there are also desktop appsfor Windows and macOS . The experience is n’t tremendously different from the one you get in your web browser , though you might prefer lead something in a separate app , and it ’s a little quick . The connection process is exactly the same as it is for the WWW app .
There are more too : Signal is uncommitted asa desktop appor asan extensionfor your internet browser ; Telegram can be load up up ina desktop apporin your internet browser . You simply sign up in with your account or using your mobile phone number and all your content are synced across , quick to be viewed and replied to on your reckoner .
MightyText.Image: MightyText
Many of the most popular apps can be covered to some extent from your laptop computer or desktop data processor , though not all of them — we’re still waiting for messaging to be added to Instagram on the WWW , for example , while Snapchat remains very much mobile - only ( which seems to be a calculated decision ) .
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WhatsApp.Screenshot: Gizmodo
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