IMessage allows users to send texts, documents, photos, videos, contact information, and group messages over the Internet to other iOS or macOS users. IMessage is an alternative to the SMS and MMS messaging for most users with devices running iOS 5 or later. Hangouts works well across Chromebooks, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. Use Skype for Web (Instant Messaging Only) Microsoft now provides a version of Skype that works directly in a browser, and even works for Chromebooks. This is a beta, so the video and voice calling doesn’t work yet in some browsers, including Chromebooks.
If you are a regular iMessage user and want to send iMessage from your computer, the following guide shows how you can do so on both Windows and Mac. The guide has multiple methods for you to send iMessage from PC/Mac.
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iMessage is a messaging service provided by Apple that is primarily designed for Apple users to communicate with each other. As long as you have an iPhone or an iPad, you can get access to the service and send and receive messages from your dear ones. The problem arises, though, when you want to use the iMessage service, say on your Windows 10 or other computers.
The feature is officially only available for Apple devices, however, there are some workarounds that you can use to get access to the feature on non-Apple devices as well. In the following guide, you are going to learn how to send iMessage from your PC or Mac computer, with 3 different methods.
How to Send iMessage from Computer
Each of your computer has a unique way to access iMessage and so you have different steps for each operating system to access the feature. Follow the instructions that are for your version of the operating system to be able to successfully send and receive messages on your computer.
Method 1. How to Send iMessage from PC
If you have a Windows-based computer and you would like to access the iMessage feature, this section will help you do it. Basically, what you are going to do in this method is you are going to use a remote access tool to connect to an iMessage-enabled Mac from your Windows PC to send and receive an iMessage.
The following are the steps on how you can send iMessage from your computer:
- Head over to the TeamViewer website, download and install the app on both your Windows PC and Mac machines.
- Click on Launchpad in your Dock.
- Search for and click on TeamViewer. It will launch the newly installed app on your Mac.
- When the app opens, you need to note down two things from your screen.
- The first one is Your ID and the second one is Password.
- Note these down as you are going to need to enter these on your Windows PC.
- Open the TeamViewer app on your Windows PC.
- Enter the ID and password you noted down in the previous step.
- Your PC will connect to your Mac.
Once a connection between your PC and Mac is established, you will be able to access the Mac’s iMessage feature on the screen of your Windows PC. That is how you use iMessage on a Windows PC.
Method 2. How to Send iMessage from Mac
Since Macs are built by Apple and run Apple’s macOS operating system, setting up and using iMessage on your Mac is relatively easier than doing so on a Windows computer. Your Mac already has the app you need to access iMessage and the following are the steps on how to actually send and receive messages.
- Click on Launchpad in your Dock.
- Search for and click on Messages. It will launch the built-in Messages app on your Mac.
- When the Messages app opens, you just need to confirm you want to use iMessage.
- Click on the File menu at the top.
- Select the option that says New Message to send a new message.
Send a new iMessage from Mac
That’s all there is to accessing iMessage on a Mac. You can find all the sent and received iMessage in the Messages app on your Mac.
Method 3. How to Send iMessage on Computer By Jailbreaking
Jailbreaking allows you to perform a number of tasks on your iOS based device that Apple does not officially permit you to do. It basically means you take advantage of a backdoor in the operating system of your device and make your device use unofficial tweaks.
Jailbreaking your device poses the risk of bricking your phone and never be able to use it again. If you are fine with that, the following is how you access iMessage on a computer by jailbreaking your device.
- Get your iOS device jailbroken using the method that works for your specific device and iOS version.
- A simple Google search will let you find out the working method for your phone.
- Launch Cydia after you have jailbroken your device and download and install the Remote Messages app.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- You should be able to access the iMessage of your iOS device on your computer.
Bonus Tip: How to Access iMessage and Messages on Computer without Jailbreak
If you do not wish to jailbreak your iOS device but you would still like to be able to somehow view your text and iMessage on your computer, you can do so using a third-party application – AnyTrans.
Meet AnyTrans, an application that allows you to access both normal text messages and iMessage of your device on your computer. The app makes it possible for you to view all of your sent and received iMessage on your Windows PC and Mac with ease. The following are some of the features the app provides with regard to messages:
- It supports both regular text messages as well as iMessage.
- Multiple options for you to export messages from your iOS device to your computer.
- View iMessage saved in an iTunes or an iCloud backup on your computer.
- Easy to use.
If you do not want the hassle of jailbreaking, AnyTrans is a perfect solution for you to access iMessage on a computer and the following is how it works.
Step 1: Connect your iPhone and computer.
Free Download AnyTrans on your computer > Launch it > Connect your iOS device to your computer, and click on the Device Manager option in the app.
Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe
How to Access iMessage and Messages on Computer – Step 1
Step 2: Choose Messages category to view.
On the following screen, it will ask what content you would like to view on your computer. Select the Messages option as you want to view your iMessage on your computer.
How to Access iMessage and Messages on Computer – Step 2
Step 3: Set the output format.
The following screen will let you specify the format you want your iMessage in. Select a format from the dropdown menu and click on the Save button to save your changes.
How to Access iMessage and Messages on Computer – Step 3
Step 4: View messages on your computer.
Instant Messenger App That Works With Chromebook And Mac Pro
On the screen that follows, select the messages you would like to export to your computer and click on the To Computer button at the top.
How to Access iMessage and Messages on Computer – Step 4
The Bottom Line
If you hate the fact that iMessage is only available for Apple devices and you wish to use it on your other devices, the above guide should help you get iMessage on almost all of your computers. We hope it helps you out.
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I have been looking for a more portable computer for some time. First I scouted the Surface, but the “cool” keyboard you see in the commercials is crap and doesn’t even recognize my fast typing (seriously, I was a Mavis Beacon master as a kid). So, I moved onto getting a new battery for my husband’s loyal 10″ Acer Aspire One, but with an even smaller screen than my iPad (or at least it seems that way), and the slowness of Windows XP, I moved on to other options.
Obviously, as you can tell from the title, I went with a Chromebook: The Acer c720. This was after a lot of research that determined it was the fastest, lightest, and longest battery life, WITH the lowest price. Acer really should be given more credit. I think they are considered the KIA of the computing world but just like KIA, they actually put out a solid product for an amazing price.
All this being said, for people who love getting things done, no matter where they are, I’ve compiled a list of the best online and offline Chromebook apps (and yes, you can use them when they aren’t connected to the internet– but seriously, when aren’t you connected to the internet and actually wanting to work anyway?).
Pixlr
The web browser version of the Pixlr Editor was something I was already familiar with, but the Chromebook app allows you to do basic image editing in a layout similar to Photoshop. While this isn’t a total replacement for Photoshop, it will probably serve the majority of my purposes: cropping images and resizing images for blog posts or web work.
ShiftEdit
If you are a programmer or do any HTML work, this program will come in handy. It’s a light PHP, javascript, etc editor that has a text view and a live view to preview your work. This could be great for writing code from scratch or trying to debug an error.
image via InfoWorld
Offline Google Docs and Gmail
These are one of the main reasons why I chose to purchase a Chromebook. Offline Google Docs will allow a user to write an article, create a spreadsheet, or work on a presentation while they aren’t connected to the internet. Once the Chromebook gets back online, it will sync these offline changes with Google Drive. Additionally, you can use Offline Google Docs to edit documents from a USB drive or memory card.
Offline Gmail works in the same way; you can send and read email and these changes are uploaded once the device comes back online. This could also be useful if you have a lot of email that needs to be read and managed but don’t have an internet connection.
MindMapr
This program allows you to create mind maps, which are great for brainstorming, organization, and project implementation. I have always wanted to use mind maps more, as it allows you to visually outline information, which may make it easier to absorb or explain. Here’s an example of a mind map (though much more artistic than the ones MindMapr allows you to create) from MindTools.com:
Gliffy Diagrams
Much like MindMapr, Gliffy Diagrams allows you to build mind maps, as well as other types of diagrams and charts. This could be very useful for creating images to share in presentations or to illustrate ideas for a project or blog post. Its basic layout seems easy to learn, which is great when you are on the go.
Image via PCWorld
While I’m excited about everything that my new Chromebook as to offer, there are still a few apps I’m waiting on that hopefully will become available in the coming years.
Instant Messenger App That Works With Chromebook And Macbook
Note: If these apps have already come out, let me know in the comments since I can’t search the Chromebook store on a laptop!
An Instant Messenger
Instant Messenger App That Works With Chromebook And Mac Os
I use instant messaging everyday to communicate with clients, colleagues, and even my friends. I would love an instant messenger app that I could use on my Chromebook to stay connected while I’m traveling. I’m sure Google offers their own Hangout messaging app, but one that connected to other services would also be useful for all my contacts that don’t use Google Hangouts. Here’s hoping one of my clients and favorite multi-protocol IMs, Brosix, is on the case!
Evernote
I LOVE Evernote and it would be awesome to be able to use it offline and be able to sync my notes and documents saved in Evernote with my Chromebook. The Chromebook store does offer a notes app, but since I don’t already use it on my other devices, it would be a lot harder to integrate into my normal work flow. Hopefully as Chromebook popularity grows, Google will partner with more external apps to create Chromebook versions I can use offline and online to stay productive.
A Blogging Platform
I’ve heard of many bloggers who haven’t made the transition to Mac simply because of Windows Live Writer. This free desktop program makes it so easy to create and format blog posts, even when you are offline. I would LOVE a Chromebook version of Live Writer, but as Chrome OS and Windows are competitors, I doubt this will ever happen. Still, a blogging platform that would allow me to write WordPress blog posts that could be uploaded when I’m online would be amazing.
Instant Messenger App For Chromebook
Do you have a Chromebook? If so, what are your favorite apps for doing actual work?
Screenshot taken from the Acer website 2/22/2014
Kelsey L. Jones is a digital marketing consultant with a love for fitness, cookies, dogs, and naps. She's based out of the Kansas City Metro.
Instant Messenger App That Works With Chromebook And Mac Computers
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