Owning a Mac with your iPhone gives you access to Apple’s ecosystem. But even smaller tasks such as making calls and sending messages from your PC are a hassle if you are a Windows user. To bridge the gap between the iPhone and Windows, we will show you 2 ways to link the iPhone to Windows PC. With that, you will be able to access calls, send and receive iMessage, check notifications, and transfer files and photos.
What You Can Do With Phone Link
Phone Link offers a range of features designed to bridge the gap between your iPhone and Windows PC. While its functionality isn’t as extensive as some Android integrations, it still provides a convenient way to stay connected. Here’s a breakdown:
Notifications: You can receive and view your iPhone notifications directly on your PC without constantly picking up your phone. Also, opening any app’s notification on Phone Link will direct you to that app on your browser.
Calling: You can make and receive phone calls through your Windows PC. Particularly useful when you’re working at your desk and prefer using a headset or speakerphone.
iMessage: Send iMessages from your Windows PC. This is a key feature for iPhone users who want to stay in touch with their contacts while working on their computer. We tried this and received the message in blue bubble and when responded from our Windows PC, again received the message in blue bubble on our iPhone.
This iMessage integration is particularly important because of the distinctions between iMessage (blue bubbles) and SMS/MMS (green bubbles) on iPhones. iMessage, Apple’s proprietary messaging system, offers features like end-to-end encryption, read receipts, and higher-quality media sharing, making it the preferred method for many iPhone users.
Battery Status: You can also check your iPhone’s battery level directly from your PC.
How to Connect iPhone to Windows Using Phone Link
- First, follow this guide to upgrade Windows to the Insider Program.
- Open the Microsoft Store to download the Phone Link app or update the Phone Link to the latest version.
- Open the Phone Link on your PC, select iPhone, and scan the QR code with your iPhone’s camera.
- Download and install the Link to Windows app from the App Store on your iPhone.
- Open the Link to Windows and scan the same QR code from your PC.
- In the Link to Windows app, tap Continue to initiate Bluetooth pairing. Grant Bluetooth permissions in your iPhone’s settings.
- Verify the pairing code on both devices and confirm the connection.
Note: To get all the notifications from your iPhone, go to iPhone Settings > Bluetooth, select your PC, and enable Show Notifications and Sync Contacts.
That’s it, now you can open the Phone Link app on your Windows PC to view calls, iMessages, and even the battery percentage.
However, Phone Link is not without its flaws and there are several important limitations to consider:
- iMessage: You can send iMessage (blue bubbles) but can’t see the blue/green bubble status on your PC.
- Media Restrictions: While you can receive images, you cannot send them through Phone Link.
- Limited History: Access to message history is restricted.
- No Group Messages: Phone Link currently only supports direct messages; group messaging is unavailable.
- No Screen Mirroring: Unlike Android, Phone Link does not allow you to mirror your iPhone’s screen on your PC.
- No Cross-Device Copy/Paste: You cannot copy text or other content on your iPhone and paste it directly onto your PC, or vice-versa.
- App Inaccessibility: Phone Link does not provide access to your iPhone’s apps from your Windows PC.
- File System Limitations: You cannot browse or access files and photos/videos stored on your iPhone through Phone Link.
What You Can Do With Intel Unison
Intel Unison aims to provide a more comprehensive integration between your iPhone and Windows PC. While it shares some features with Phone Link, it also offers some distinct advantages. Here’s a look at what Intel Unison brings to the table:
Notifications: Like Phone Link, Unison also allows you to see your iPhone notifications on your PC. But you cannot interact with it inside the app. Clicking on the notification will open it in a new tab.
Calling: Similarly, you can make and receive calls through your Windows PC, offering hands-free communication while you work.
Messaging (SMS/MMS): Unison supports traditional SMS and MMS services. So you don’t get the iMessage feature on this. So you will see green bubbles only.
File Transfer: This is a significant advantage Intel Unison has over Phone Link. Unison enables you to transfer files between your iPhone and PC, making it easy to view photos, videos, and documents saved on the iPhone on your Windows PC.
Photo and Video Access: Browse and access photos and videos stored on your iPhone directly from your PC. This simplifies viewing and managing your media.
The only limitation of Intel Unison that we could find was it couldn’t handle iMessage. Also, neither Unison nor Phone Link can copy-paste messages from iPhone to Windows. The Apple ecosystem is famous for its universal clipboard copying anything on one device can be pasted on another easily.
How to Connect iPhone to Windows Using Intel Unison
- Install the Intel Unsion App from the Microsoft Store.
- Open the Intel Unison app on your PC.
- The app will display a QR code for pairing.
- Download the Intel Unison App on your iPhone from the App Store.
- Tap Let’s Go and grant necessary permissions (contacts, photos, local network, Bluetooth).
- Tap Scan QR Code on your iPhone and scan the QR code displayed on your PC.
- Verify the code shown on both devices and confirm the pairing.
Your iPhone will connect to the Windows PC using the Intel Unison app. However, Unison is not without its flaws and there are several important limitations to consider:
- No iMessage Support: Intel Unison does not support iMessage. This is a key area where Phone Link has an advantage.
- Limited App Integration: You cannot see or open installed apps on iPhone from a Windows PC using Unsion.
- No Screen Mirroring: Intel Unison does not offer screen mirroring.
- No Cross-Device Copy/Paste: Intel Unison does not offer cross-device copy/paste.
Intel Unison does offer file transfer and some other features that Phone Link lacks. However, it does not solve all of Phone Link’s limitations.
Intel Unison vs Phone Link – You Can Use Both
You can link your iPhone to Windows using both the Phone Link app and the Intel Unison app. Both ways have their pros and cons.
- With the Phone Link app, you will be able to check your iPhone notifications, make calls, and most importantly, you can send/receive iMessage from your PC.
- Intel Unison has more features. You can transfer files, access photos and videos, check notifications, make/receive calls, and send/receive regular messages.
So which should you pick? Well, if you prefer iMessage support on your PC, you need Microsoft’s Phone Link app. If your priority is access to files, you can choose Intel’s Unison app. You can also use both services to get the best of both apps.
While both Phone Link and Intel Unison are great ways to connect your iPhone to your Windows PC, they can also be used together. Perhaps you’re working on your PC and need to quickly transfer a large file from your iPhone; you’d turn to Intel Unison for its file transfer capabilities. A moment later, if you want to send an iMessage to a friend; you’d use Phone Link, optimized for iMessage communication. This dual approach lets you pick the best app, for the specific task at hand to maximize the benefits of both platforms.
Just like your phone can save multiple Wi-Fi networks. You can choose which one to connect to based on your needs. Faster download speeds or low latency. You can think of Phone Link and Intel Unison similarly. You can install and setup both apps and then switch between them depending on what you need.
