Help How do I get and reply to sms texts from my android phone on my Windows 10 computer?

[jbreiman]

Title asks it all, but basically like what msft is doing on windows mobile, or apple does with iChat, how do I use my computer to read and reply to my SMS/MMS messages from my android phone on my windows computer? Id like to avoid having to use an app like FB messenger or the like because I would like to use my own local contacts and numbers, but if that is the only way, I need to know that as well.

 

[chanchan05]

What phone do you have? If you have a Samsung you can install Sidesync on your PC and phone.
That's the Samsung software for controlling the phone on your PC or compatible Samsung tablet.

 

[mikedt]

Title asks it all, but basically like what msft is doing on windows mobile, or apple does with iChat, how do I use my computer to read and reply to my SMS/MMS messages from my android phone on my windows computer? Id like to avoid having to use an app like FB messenger or the like because I would like to use my own local contacts and numbers, but if that is the only way, I need to know that as well.

Yeh, but iChat isn't SMS/MMS though, its iMessage, which is proprietary to Apple devices only. I have iChat on my Macbook as well, but I can't send SMS/MMS with it though, and I don't have an iPhone. In fact I've never used it, because I don't know anyone else who uses iMessage, most people I know use Wechat, even iPhone users. I also have a Windows 10 tablet, that cant send SMS/MMS either, it's a WiFi only device, no 3G or 4G cellular.

There is a way of sending and receiving SMS/MMS from a computer, using Airdroid on the phone, but you are using the phone's own messaging via a browser on the computer.

 

[tube517]

Mightytext
Pushbullet

Another new option is an app by the Klinker brothers:

Temp name: Messenger

It is a beta so alot of updates currently

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=xyz.klinker.messenger

There is a chrome extension as well as a website. This will be a paid option on a yearly basis.

 

[jbreiman]

Thanks guys! This helps, and youre right, iChat isn't SMS/MMS. I forgot about that. However, their iChat client on OSX/MacOS allows their userbase to respond to standard messages and iChat messages in the same way from their desktop.

MSFT is trying to build this into Windows 10 within Skype and Cortana's integration. Ive been testing it out and its really nice, though very early/buggy as it is still in testing. But from your responses, there is no real or universal way to do this on Android...

 

[svim]

But from your responses, there is no real or universal way to do this on Android...

Re-read some of replies, there are actually some pretty solid suggestions. Take a look at AirDroid, it works well but as referred to it's a browser based connection between your phone and your computer over your home LAN. (... and skip the online account stuff, it's not necessary at all. Just use the local, direct connectivity.) MightyText is a little more intrusive in its initial setup but still a proven alternative.
https://www.airdroid.com/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sand.airdroid

https://mightytext.net/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.texty.sms&hl=en

 

[chanchan05]

But from your responses, there is no real or universal way to do this on Android...

That's because there are differing manufacturers and each one has its own changes to Android. Personally the Samsung SideSync and SmartSwitch software works great.

 

[mikedt]

Thanks guys! This helps, and youre right, iChat isn't SMS/MMS. I forgot about that. However, their iChat client on OSX/MacOS allows their userbase to respond to standard messages and iChat messages in the same way from their desktop.

I can't though, while I do have a MacBook I don't have an iPhone, and therefore no phone number connected with iChat on macOS, so no SMS/MMS here.

MSFT is trying to build this into Windows 10 within Skype and Cortana's integration. Ive been testing it out and its really nice, though very early/buggy as it is still in testing. But from your responses, there is no real or universal way to do this on Android...

Skype has always been able to send SMS, as long as you have credit. And Skype can receive SMS as well, as long as you have a Skype-In phone number. Using Airdroid on either Mac or PC is certainly a universal way for me to do SMS/MMS from my computers, but my phone must be nearby of course.

 

[jbreiman]

Again, thanks guys (and gals?) I'm new to android for the most part as I am considering making the change from WM10 on a lumia 950, so that custom mfr build idea is kinda new to me. You all have been pretty helpful in this regard of making my decision.