How to Send a Text From a Computer to a Phone

Need to message someone but your phone isn't handy? Try these tips

By
Molly McLaughlin
Molly McLaughlin
Molly McLaughlin
Senior Content Strategist
  • New York University
Molly K. McLaughlin has been a technology writer since 2004. Her work has appeared on many tech sites across the web including PCMag, Dealnews, Wirecutter and many others.
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Updated on March 11, 2022
Reviewed by
Christine Baker
Reviewed by Christine Baker
Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

What to Know

  • Mac to iOS: Sign in to your Mac with the same Apple ID as your iPhone, then launch Messages.
  • Google Messages: Open the Messages app and tap More > Device Pairing. Navigate to Messages on the Web.
  • Next, scan the QR code and follow the prompts to begin sending and receiving messages via Google Messages.

This article explains how to send a text from a computer to an iOS or Android device.

Text From Computer Using iMessage

If you need to send text messages via iMessage on your Mac, here's how.

  1. Sign in to your Mac with your Apple ID.

  2. Use Spotlight Search to find the Messages app, then launch Messages on your Mac.

    Mac Desktop with Spotlight Search open and Messages highlighted

  3. Select New Message and type and send a message as you would on your iOS device.

    Mac Desktop with Messages app open and New Message highlighted

To forward text messages (such as those from Android users) from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac, go to your iOS device's Settings app and tap Messages > Text Message Forwarding. Choose which devices can send and receive text messages from your iPhone.

Send Texts From a Computer Using Google Messages

You can send and receive text messages, photos, voice messages, and videos using Google Messages on your smartphone and desktop. To link the mobile app and the web version, follow these instructions:

  1. Open the Messages app on your smartphone and tap More (three vertical dots) > Device Pairing.

    Android phone with Messages app, More (three dots) and Device Pairing highlighted

  2. On your computer, navigate to Messages on the Web using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. You'll see a page with instructions and a QR code.

    Google's Messages on the Web website with QR code

  3. On your phone, tap QR code scanner.

  4. Hold your phone up to the QR code on your computer screen. You'll see a You're all set message.

    Google Messages app with QR Code Scanner highlighted and "You're All Set" message displayed

  5. Under Remember this computer, select Yes if you're using a trusted device. Then you can opt into desktop notifications if you want, and you'll see your text history on the page.

    Google Messages on the web with Yes highlighted

  6. You can now send and receive texts from your computer just as if you were on your Android phone.

Sync Text Messages Using Pushbullet (Android and Web Browsers)

Pushbullet syncs your texts between your smartphone, web browser, and desktop PC. It also lets you share websites and images from your smartphone to your computer (or multiple computers) and vice versa. There are Pushbullet apps for Android, Chrome, Firefox, and Windows.

  1. Install and open the Pushbullet mobile app on your Android phone, then sign in with Google.

  2. Tap Allow to allow Pushbullet notifications.

    Pushbullet app on Android with Open, Sign In With Google, and Allow highlighted

  3. Move the Pushbullet slider to blue to turn on Pushbullet.

  4. Tap Enable to turn on the ability to see your phone's notifications on your computer. Tap Allow to confirm.

    Pushbullet app with Pushbullet toggle, Enable, and Allow highlighted

  5. Tap Enable to allow the ability to text from your computer or tablet, then tap OK to confirm SMS history and content syncing.

    Pushbullet app with Enable and OK highlighted

  6. Go to the Pushbullet website on a computer and click Sign In, then opt to sign in via Google or Facebook.

    Pushbullet website with sign in highlighted

  7. You should start seeing text notifications pop up on your desktop that you can respond to. You can initiate texts, as well.

    Pushbullet screen with notification highlighted

  8. On the mobile Android app, tap Mirroring > Send test notification. It should show up on both your phone and computer. Dismissing the alert on either device should also dismiss it from the other.

    Sending a test notification in Android.

Send Texts Using Google Voice (Cross-Platform)

You can also use Google Voice to send texts from a computer.

Here's how to send texts using Google Voice to U.S. and Canadian numbers for free.

  1. On your smartphone or PC, navigate to Google Voice and sign in if necessary.

    Google Voice website

  2. Select Send a message to create a new message, or select a conversation to continue a thread.

    Google Voice with New message and the message highlighted

    The texts show up as sent from your Google Voice number.

Send Texts With the Samsung Messaging App

If you have a Galaxy Book or Galaxy Tab Pro S, you can send and receive text messages using the Samsung Messaging app. This application comes preinstalled on your device, so all you need to do is link your phone number. Then, launch Samsung Messaging from your home screen (or find it in your folders) to begin the setup process.

The Samsung Messaging app is currently supported on the Galaxy Book 10.6 LTE, Galaxy Book 12 LTE, Galaxy Book 2, and Galaxy Tab Pro S.

Email a Text

Another method, albeit clunkier than the others in this article, is sending a text message via email. Each wireless carrier has an email formula for doing so. For example, to send a text message (SMS) to an AT&T user, email "number@txt.att.net," but replace "number" with a 10-digit phone number. To send an MMS (multimedia message, such as a photo), email "number@mms.att.net." Check with the carrier or reference this list of carrier email addresses.

The issue here is the email could end up in the recipients' spam folder or get lost in the shuffle since it looks different from standard email addresses. You must also know which carrier the recipient uses.

Text From Computer Using SMS Websites

Finally, there are SMS websites that let you send text messages anonymously.

Some of these websites collect the numbers that users input and sell them to third parties. This method is best reserved as a last resort when anonymity is critical.

FAQ
  • How do you transfer text messages from an iPhone to a computer for free?

    Connect your iPhone to your Mac or Windows PC. On a Mac, open a new Finder window, select your phone > Back Up Now. On a Windows PC, just connect your iPhone; iTunes will automatically back up your data.

  • How do I save text messages on an Android device?

    You can use a free mobile app called SMS Backup & Restore to save your Android device text messages. Download the app, tap Set up a Backup, and turn on Messages and Phone calls. Tap Advanced Options > Selected conversations only and set your configuration preferences and storage location. Tap Back Up Now to save your texts.

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