Sending and Receiving Text Messages from Android on Windows 10

Depending on who you talk to, Microsoft finally admitted it failed to make a meaningful impact in the mobile space last year. iPhones and Android devices are dominant, and the company seems to understand that this will not change in the near future. That’s why the Windows Team is on its way by adding new connections to Windows 10 between Android smartphones and iPhones. Many do not know this, but with the Windows 10 November Update, they can send and receive text messages from their Android-powered smartphones.

Sending and receiving text messages from Android relies on one of the newest features of Windows. With the first Windows 10 upgrade, Microsoft brought its personal assistant from Windows Phone. Designed to compete directly with Google Assistant and Siri, Cortana does many of the same things. It can complete calendar alerts, send messages and set alarms. Cortana is good, but most users around the world have Android devices. Microsoft realized that the personal assistant could only blossom if it got rid of Windows Phone. That meant bringing it to Windows 10. While he was there, Microsoft began rolling out other versions so people could take their personal assistant with them when they were away from their computers.

Cortana can send and receive text messages through the app that brings her to Android devices. Here’s how to do it.

How to Send and Receive Text Messages from Android on Windows 10: Before You Begin

There are some things you’ll need before trying to send and receive text messages from Android on Windows 10.

The most important thing you need is a laptop, desktop or tablet running Windows 10 with the latest updates. Having the latest updates shouldn’t be a problem, Microsoft still requires devices running Windows 10 Home to install the latest software upgrades. If your computer has an internet connection, you should be fine. If you want to manually check for the latest software updates, go to the app and click the button in the field.

Second, you will need the credentials for the Microsoft Account you use on your Windows 10 PC. Fortunately, this is no problem at all. Open the app and tap or click on your Microsoft Account, it may have the suffix @Live.com, @Hotmail.com or @Outlook.com.

Finally, you will need the Cortana app on your Android smartphone. You download it from Google Play Store here. The application is completely free. You will be prompted to provide your Microsoft Account credentials during the setup process. The app requires Android 4.0 installed on your device.

For the feature to work properly, both devices must have a stable internet connection, as Cortana uses Microsoft’s servers to sync all notifications. Any smartphone calls you missed will also get notifications on your Windows 10 PC. App notifications come with them, and you can decide which one you want to keep receiving by clicking or tapping on the Settings cog on each notification.

How to Send and Receive Text Messages from Android on Windows 10: Setup

You need to go to Cortana’s notebook and enable sync notifications in both the Android app and Windows apps. The notebook is where it keeps all the settings and information about you.

On your Windows PC, tap or click the area in the taskbar.

With the bar open, tap or click the bottom-right edge of the window.

Scroll down until now. Turn this switch on if it’s not already on.

On Android you’ll want to go to Cortana and make sure the same key is flipped there too.

Sending and Receiving Text Messages from Android on Windows 10

When you receive a notification on your Android smartphone, it syncs directly to your Windows PC. Text messages appear directly in the Action Center on the left side of your screen. There you can reply to them directly with your keyboard and mouse. You will hear a tone from your phone confirming that your reply has been sent.

Sending messages is a little different. Microsoft hasn’t added direct text messages to any of its apps. Instead, you have to ask Cortana to send the message for you.

If you want to use sound, you can click the microphone in your taskbar and ask Cortana to text someone in your address bar. For example, “Message Joe, hello” would work. If you don’t want to give Cortana a voice command, you can also type this command in the search bar. In Windows 10 Anniversary Update, this feature also works above the lock screen.

When you receive a message from the person you’re messaging, a notification should pop up in the Action Center.

That’s it, you can now send and receive text messages from Android on Windows 10.