iMessage is Apple’s instant messaging service that lets you exchange texts, photos, documents, videos, contact information, etc. over the internet to other iOS and macOS users. You can even send group messages on it. Most Apple users prefer communicating with other friends and family using iPhones through this app. Apple doesn’t let Windows and Android users install iMessage. However, there are ways in which you can access iMessage on Windows.
Ways to access iMessage online
iMessage online using chrome remote desktop
iMessage can be accessed on Windows using Chrome Remote desktop, but you would need a Windows PC and a MacBook. You must install the Chrome browser on both the laptops, and then you can proceed with the installation of Chrome Remote Desktop.
First you must install chrome remote desktop on Mac:
- Sign in with your Google Account in the Chrome browser
- Next, go to the Chrome App Store and download the Chrome Remote application. Click on the pop-up and authorize the app.
- Once the download is complete, Chrome Remote Application will appear in the list of applications.
- Open Chrome Remote and enable the remote connection from the pop-up. Once you enable it, you need to follow the instructions, and they appear.
- Next Download Chrome Remote Desktop Host installer by accepting and then installing it
- Once the installation is complete, you can enable the connection and pin. This pin is significant as this is what will help in establishing a connection with the Windows PC.
Next you need to install chrome remote desktop on Windows PC
- You must follow all the steps exactly as mentioned above (installing Chrome Remote Desktop on Mac) to install Chrome Remote Desktop on Windows PC.
When both the devices have Chrome Remote Desktop installed, you must look for Mac on My Computer in your Windows PC and establish a connection with it by using the PIN that you generated. Wait for some time before you can begin with the procedure of viewing or using iMessage on Windows PC.
Here is what you need to do to use iMessage for PC:
- On your Mac login with your Apple ID and password and enable iMessages
- Next open Chrome web store in the Google Chrome browser and look for the Chrome Remote Desktop application. Download on Windows and Mac.
- Set up the Chrome Desktop application on both Windows and MacBook. You will require your Google id and password. Once this is done, you will be able to see Windows from Mac and Mac from Widows PC.
- When the application is launched on Windows, you must select the name of the Mac computer in the Chrome Remote Desktop application list.
- When the step is completed then you will be able to see your Windows screen on Mac. Now you can use iMessages from your Windows PC. However, you must remember that you must keep both devices close to each other. Also, the Google Chrome browser and the Chrome Remote Desktop app is required in both the device.
Using an Emulator
You can also use iMessage online with the help of an emulator. There are different emulators which are good and will work for the process we are about to mention below. We are taking the example of iPadian. Open a Windows PC and browse for the iPadian iOS emulator. This is required if you wish to run iOS apps on Windows.
- When the application is installed, run it on the Windows PC. You will be prompted with some questions which you can decide – to introduce the app to PC, to place it in an existing file, or make a new file for this purpose only, etc.
- After the application is installed you can work on other tabs if you want. You need to go to an alternate workspace and dispatch the iPadian. Now you will be able to use iMessage on Windows
- You will have to use your Apple id and password when you are using the iPadian emulator for the first time.
- When you are in the main work area, it will look familiar to you. It will resemble your iPhone screen.
- Next, look for App Store and install/enable the iMessage app on the Windows PC and run it. You will be able to use the iMessages just as you do it on your iPhone.
Some other emulators which you can use are SmartFace, APP.IO, and Mobione Studio to use iMessage online.
Screen Sharing with MacBook
MacBook offers screen sharing, and you can use this feature to use iMessage online or on the Windows PC. This method, also like the first one, requires both Windows and MacBook to work. Here is how it is done:
- To connect Mac to a Windows PC, you must first turn on remote connections. Go to System Properties and click the Remote tab, and then enable Allow remote connections to this computer
- You also need to install VNC client on your Windows PC. You don’t necessarily have to create an account to use VNC client.
- Now open your MacBook and go to System Preferences and then check Sharing and Screen Sharing
- Next click on Computer Settings just below Screen Sharing: ON
- Here in the VNC Viewer click on VNC Viewers May Control Screen with Passwords
- You need to create a password for VNC viewer
- Next return to the Sharing pane where you will see an IP address displayed in the form of vnc :// ipaddress, write it down.
- On the VNC client, mention the VNC address without using the word ‘vnc’. There are many options in VNC Viewer, and you can manage them according to your choice.
- Next, go back to connection and click on Connect where you will be prompted for the password that you created in Sharing preferences on the Mac
- Once you connect, you will have to log in with your user id and password, and you will be able to see your Mac desktop on the VNC viewer on the Windows PC just like you do on your MacBook.
Jailbreak iPhone
You will be able to use iMessage application on Windows if you jailbreak your iPhone. Jailbreaking phones lets you install third-party applications. One of the apps that is often used to jailbreak iOS devices is Cydia. However, you must understand that Apple doesn’t advice its users to jailbreak. This will end the warranty of your phone, and Apple will take no responsibility for the phone if anything goes wrong with it in the future. If you still wish to proceed, then we have the process mentioned below. Before going ahead, remember to take a backup of your iPhone. Here is what you must do:
- Download and install Cydia from their official website
- Open Cydia and look for an app named Remote Messages from BigBoss repo.
- This app lets you set up a web-based interface that lets you connect your iOS device IP address on the browser. It is a simple to use app as it prompts you step-by-step instructions and all you need to do is follow them. The app is secure as it lets you set a password.
- To use iMessage on the Windows PC or laptop, you just need to open a browser on your PC and then type in the IP address provided followed by the port number.
Virtually it is not possible to use iMessage on a Windows PC or laptop unless you connect your Mac to a Windows machine or vice versa. Apple protects iMessage and hasn’t shared it with any other OS. Although all the methods mentioned above work and you can access iMessage on Windows, but as you have already seen that you definitely require a MacBook also for it else, you need to jailbreak your iPhone. You can try these methods if you are facing a momentary issue with your iPhone else; if you really want to use an instant messaging application without an iPhone, then you can always use other message sharing applications. You can browse them and pick the most popular one or just download and use the one which is mostly used by your friends and family.
Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.
