Have you ever wished you could send and receive your iPhone messages on your computer (whether Mac or Windows) just like you do with the desktop app for a third-party chat client?
This would allow you to manage and process your conversations on a larger screen and seamlessly handle messages while you're working on your PC or Mac.
This article will show you the 3 best ways to read iPhone messages on PC and Mac.
Part 1. How to View and Send iPhone Messages on a Windows PC for Free
Phone Link is a built-in Windows feature that connects your computer with your mobile phone so you can view iPhone messages, call alerts, and notifications right from your PC.
With the release of Phone Link for iOS, Windows 11 now supports basic messaging and call functions for iPhone users, offering a Apple-like experience to stay connected while working on a computer.
What Phone Link for iOS can do
View and Send SMS & iMessage Texts: Read, compose, and reply to iPhone messages directly from your PC, including group chats and media content.
Phone Calls: Make and answer phone calls on your PC using your computer's microphone and speakers. You can access your call history and contact list as well.
Notification Management: Receive, view, and manage your iPhone's notifications on your PC desktop. You can customize which apps can send notifications to your PC.
Before setting up Phone Link, make sure you have
An iPhone running iOS 14 or later
A Windows 11 device with Bluetooth enabled
A stable internet connection on both devices
The Link to Windows app installed from the App Store
Tip: If your device doesn’t meet the requirements for Phone Link, you can use the method in Part 2 to view your iPhone messages on any computer without restrictions.
How to set up Phone Link for iPhone
Step 1. On your iPhone, open the App Store and download "Link to Windows".
Step 2. On your Windows PC, search for "Phone Link" from the taskbar and open it.
Step 3. Select iPhone in the "Phone Link" setup screen. A QR code will appear for pairing.
Step 4. Open "Link to Windows" on your iPhone, tap Scan QR code, and scan the code displayed on your PC.
Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions on both devices until the setup completes.
Step 6. In "Phone Link", go to the Messages tab and grant permission from your iPhone when prompted.
Step 7. You can now view and send iPhone messages directly from your Windows PC.
Part 2. How to View iPhone Messages on PC/Mac without an iPhone
You can still access your iPhone messages even when the device is not with you.
This works because Apple stores your messages in iCloud or inside your iCloud backup to keep your data synced and secure. However, Apple does not provide an official way to read these messages directly on a PC or Mac.
This is where Gbyte Recovery becomes useful. Gbyte Recovery is built on iCloud data extraction technology, allowing you to retrieve and view your message data stored in iCloud without needing the physical iPhone.
What you can do with Gbyte Recovery
✨View iPhone messages on PC without connecting your iPhone
No cables or Bluetooth required. Simply sign in with your Apple ID to access your iPhone data.
✨View older and deleted text messages
You’re not limited to your current message list. Gbyte Recovery can display messages that were deleted or lost.
✨No backup required
You don’t need a local computer backup or iCloud backup prepared beforehand.
✨Download your iPhone messages
Export all your iPhone messages and attachments as files and save them to your computer.
✨Access other data types
Besides SMS and iMessage, you can view social media messages (Instagram, WhatsApp, LINE), emails, photos, files, including items you previously deleted.
✨Free preview
You can preview all messages for free before downloading.
How to view iPhone messages on PC/Mac using Gbyte Recovery
Step 1. Launch Gbyte Recovery on your PC or Mac after installation.
Step 2. Select the data type you want to scan: Messages.
Step 3. Sign in with your Apple ID to connect to your iCloud data.
Step 4. Wait for the scan to complete, preview the results, and choose the messages you want to download.
Tip: Gbyte Recovery can also scan for deleted photos, messages, contacts, and other data in one session. You can select multiple file types and recover everything at once.
Part 3. How to View and Send iPhone Messages on Mac for Free
The Apple ecosystem offers a great benefit: Mac users can easily view and send messages from their iPhones. This feature is completely free and is integrated directly into your devices.
To see and respond to all your iPhone messages—including the blue iMessages and the green SMS/MMS texts—on your Mac, the only requirement is to properly set up both devices to work in tandem. Here is the step-by-step guide:
Note: Availability may vary depending on your region and mobile carrier.
To view iMessages on Mac, make sure these settings are correct
On Mac: Go to Messages App > Settings > iMessages and make sure you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
On iPhone: Go to Settings > Apps > Messages, turn on iMessages. Then tap Send & Receive, make sure Apple Account selected below “Start new conversations from” selected Apple ID matches the one used on your Mac.
When these settings match, iMessages will sync automatically between your iPhone and Mac.
And to receive standard SMS and MMS messages on your Mac, you need to take an extra step
On iPhone: Go to Settings > Apps > messages > Text Message Forwarding, In the list of devices, turn on your Mac.
Note: If Text Message Forwarding doesn’t appear, make sure your iPhone and Mac are signed in to the same Apple ID.
Once enabled, your Mac will receive all text messages sent to your iPhone, including those from non-iPhone users. Now you can use iPhone messages on Mac seamlessly!
Part 4. Key Takeaways
Reading and sending iPhone messages on a computer is easier than ever. Whether you’re using a Windows PC or a Mac, you have reliable options to view, send, and manage your conversations.
Windows PC: Phone Link lets you view and send iPhone messages for free, as long as you meet the iOS and Windows 11 requirements.
Without an iPhone: Gbyte Recovery allows you to access iCloud-stored messages, including older and deleted texts, directly on your computer.
Mac: iMessages sync automatically when both devices share the same Apple ID, and Text Message Forwarding brings SMS/MMS to your Mac as well.
No extra cost: All native Apple and Microsoft features are free to use, and setup only takes a few minutes.
Multiple scenarios covered: Whether your iPhone is nearby, unavailable, or even lost, you still have ways to view and manage your messages.
