Like Steve Jobs was fond of saying, 'It just works.' Conversation histories persist across each platform with no fiddling. Doing something on one machine, like sending a message, instantly updates the rest of the user's logged-in devices. Mac users have long enjoyed the convenience of having all of their Apple devices seamlessly operate together via iCloud. Even a saltine cracker tastes good if you are starving.

Perhaps the warm Insider reception was just because Link to Windows for iOS is better than other solutions. The Android version has none of these limitations. It's also only compatible with Windows 11. When the session is over, the conversation is lost. Messages are 'session-based,' meaning that threads only persist as long as the device remains connected to the PC. Users can send and receive messages as long as they aren't group texts. However, one has to wonder if that was feedback for the Android version or iOS because the port is comparatively limited. 'We've heard positive feedback such as 'this is exactly what I've been hoping for on my Windows PC,'' Microsoft related in a press release. The app recently made the rounds with Windows Insiders, who gave it a warm reception. It hopes to finish the slow release by mid-May. On Wednesday, Microsoft launched its Phone Link app on iOS, rebranding it to 'Link to Windows.' The Redmond tech giant said it has the app on a 'gradual rollout' to Windows 11 users. Once connected, users can access the phone's contacts and most recent pictures, send SMS messages, check notifications, and make or answer phone calls from a PC. The smartphone-companion software allows the Android operating system to connect to Windows 10 and 11 devices via Bluetooth.

In context: Microsoft's Phone Link app has been available to Android users since 2020.

Microsoft phone companion ios