Microsoft Brings iPhone Syncing To Windows Computers With New Tool

Not all PC users are Android users. After serving Android users for years, Microsoft is finally letting iPhone users sync their devices to their Windows computers—with a few hiccups.

The Microsoft Phone Link feature, previously restricted to Android owners, is now ready for iOS users on Windows 11 computers. With both devices connected to Bluetooth, iPhone owners can now access basic smartphone options like calls, messages, and contacts from their desktops.

Microsoft says that the new support ensures iPhone users on Windows 11 will never have to miss out on important phone calls or texts.

“This means if your phone is tucked away during a presentation or focus time, you’ll receive notifications on your Windows PC and can choose which action to take—all on your Windows 11 PC,” the company elaborates.

Quite notably, Phone Link for iOS comes with iCloud integration, enabling users to pull up photos from their camera roll on their PC.

To access it, users can search ‘Phone Link’ on their Windows taskbar.

Microsoft emphasizes that the tool offers “basic” iOS support, and that’s because Phone Link for iPhone users is rather limited. First of all, it’s only compatible with iPhone 14 or newer.

iMessage is now available too—but due to restrictions enforced by Apple, customers won’t be able to engage in group chats or send images and videos to one another from their PCs. Messages are also “session-based and will only come through when phone is connected to PC,” Microsoft further disclaims.

Still, this is much better than nothing. Microsoft Phone Link for iOS will roll out across 85 markets, and in 39 languages, over the next few weeks.

[via CNET, AppleInsider, Windows, images via Windows]