Can Computers Receive SMS Messages?
With the technology today, users can read text messages on the computer and directly respond from their computer. There are multiple ways to receive your SMS messages on a computer so that notifications on your mobile don’t distract you while working.
Moreover, due to the larger screen and easy typing, writing lengthy texts and multiple replies to clients is easier and faster on a computer than on a smartphone. Therefore, you can receive text messages on your computer and avoid distractions during your productive time, increasing efficiency.
Highlights:
- Receiving SMS messages on a computer reduces distractions and allows faster text response, especially for business purposes.
- Multiple solutions like iMessage, Google Voice, Microsoft Phone Link, Messaging apps, and VoIP platforms enable you to receive text messages on a computer.
- iMessage offers a secure messaging service that works only for Apple devices.
- Google Voice is a web-based app providing free texting for the U.S. and Canada.
- Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber, and Messenger provide free messaging if used via the internet.
- VoIP platforms like Calilio, Nextiva, OpenPhone, and Dialpad offer desktop applications compatible with both Windows and MacOS for receiving sms on a computer.
How to Receive SMS Messages on a Computer?
You can use a VoIP app, iMessage, Google Messages, or Microsoft Phone Link to receive SMS messages on your computer.
1. VoIP Platform
VoIP cloud-based phone system allows you to make calls and send and receive SMS over the Internet (using VoIP technology). Consider VoIP phone service to get an SMS on multiple devices, including your computer, tablet, and smartphone.
2. iMessage
For Apple product users, iMessage is a secure way of sending and receiving text on all Apple devices with your Apple ID (like your Mac). iMessage is an easy way to access SMS while working from multiple iOS devices.
If you use an iPhone and an Apple PC, once logged in with your Apple ID on both devices, you can easily send and receive text messages on your computer. iMessage is a secured option with end-to-end encryption when using it with iCloud.
However, iMessage is not compatible with devices non-iOS devices.
3. Google Voice
Google Voice is a smart option for individuals and small businesses who need free and reliable SMS services. Google Voice is a fully web-based communication solution; it means you can get text on your PC, and you can access it via any web browser or Google Chrome as recommended.
- Go to voice.google.com on your computer.
- Click on the Messages icon to view the messages.
Google Voice offers free virtual phone numbers for texting, calling, and voicemail. To sign up, you need a Google account and a valid US phone number. Sending and receiving texts in Google Voice is free to US and Canadian numbers, except in some territories.
Once your Gmail or Google Workspace accounts are logged into your device, you can get text messages from anywhere in the world.
Some websites, like subscription services or banks, won’t send text messages to Google Voice numbers; for those situations, you must use your mobile carrier number.
4. Microsoft Phone Link
Formerly known as “Your Phone,” Microsoft phone link is an ideal tool for texting and receiving text on the Windows computer. You can receive sms on your computer by linking your phone to your Windows PC.
- Search for the Phone Link app from the search bar on your Windows taskbar
- Launch the Phone Link or Download the “Phone Link”
- Login using the same account on the computer and phone
- Scan the QR code to complete the setup
- Customize message notification preferences to notify you when you get a new text message.
- Read and respond to the chats directly from your PC
However, to use the Microsoft phone link, you must have the latest version of Windows 10 or above. If you’re an iPhone user, the extra features and experience are much more limited to basic calls and SMS. But if you're an Android user, you can enjoy a seamless and fully-featured experience.
5. Messaging Apps
Texting apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, and Google Voice are some of the cheapest ways to get messages on your computer. You can receive messages on your laptop through these apps if connected to the internet.
To get text messages on the computer through these messaging apps, you have to download the desktop application and log in to the app. You can also access messages from the websites of those applications. Simply log on to the websites, and then you can get access to your synced messages.
While these apps are popular for personal use, they have limitations as both parties must use the same platform to receive messages.
Top 5 VoIP Apps to Receive Messages on a Computer
Many VoIP providers allow users to communicate through calls or messages using any device. Choosing a VoIP provider might seem tough and confusing. Here are the best 5 VoIP providers that will help you pick the best VoIP provider suitable for your business.
1. Calilio
Calilio connects businesses with employees and customers effortlessly through texts or calls from your computer and the phone. It is a browser-based app for desktops that centralizes conversations through a unified callbox. Users can switch between calls, voicemails, and business chats instantly, reducing multichannel communication management time.
Calilio offers a virtual phone number for international calls and messages, or you can port your existing number for free. Through its internal message feature, Calilio ensures secure messaging only among team members.
Calilio’s SMS filter separates incoming and outgoing messages to clarify the message origin and focuses only on essential messages(inquiries, requests). This avoids distractions and improves response time, resulting in better customer satisfaction.
Calilio’s VoIP plan starts at just $12 per user per month (you get a virtual number for free).
2. RingCentral
RingCentral lets you send and receive text messages directly with your business number on your computer. Along with messaging, RingCentral is best known as an inclusive suite of communication tools, including phone, SMS, fax, video meetings, team messaging, and webinars compatible across devices.
The RingCentral app's message feature offers a limited number of text messages on its base plan, and you must pay per message for every extra text. RingCentral offers three subscription plans, and the base plan starts at $20 monthly for unlimited calls (for the US and Canada) with limited business SMS (25 text messages per user per month).
3. Nextiva
Nextiva platform provides high-rated VoIP device-friendly apps to its users. The nextivaONE app lets users for team collaborate with team messaging, video calling, and one-click conference calls. Nextiva allows casual SMS with work colleagues through instant messaging. For business text, users can communicate through their business number while keeping their number private.
The essential package for enterprises starts at $129/ agent per month, while small businesses with small teams can get the Core plan starting from $20 with very minimum features.
With essential advanced VoIP features like voice calls, call forwarding, call transfer, three-way calling, business text messaging, online faxing, instant messaging, Unified communication, and many others, Nextiva empowers users to have efficient and transparent business communication.
4. OpenPhone
Openphone, a top cloud-based voip system, offers a virtual phone number and allows unlimited calls and text within the US and Canada. OpenPhone provides SMS and MMS messaging services across different platforms(mobile, desktop, web)
OpenPhone offers competitive pricing: a Starter plan at just $15 per user per month, a Business plan( $23 per user/month), and an Enterprise (based on your requirements).
OpenPhone also provides virtual numbers to its users, or users can port over their existing numbers for free. It also offers secured unlimited texting over the internet. Group messaging, message snippets, auto-replies, and voicemail transcription are some significant features related to messaging the OpenPhone offers.
5. DialPad
Dialpad is an AI-powered communication platform. Users can get SMS/MMS, instant messaging, video conferencing, and all other advanced features on the same platform.
Dialpad allows users to integrate with a vast range of other business software like Salesforce integration, which syncs your calls and text messages of Salesforce into your Dialpad app.
Using its VoIP services, you can make VoIP calls, exchange text, and view your voicemail from anywhere using whatever platform you prefer( web, mobile, or desktop). The built-in AI monitoring tools help you to focus on the client conversation rather than taking notes.
The standard plan for Dialpad VoIP services starts at $15 per user/month, but for international texting, upgrade to the pro plan starting at $25 per user/month if billed annually.
Conclusion
Receiving SMS messages directly on the computer is a straightforward process. Depending on your device use case, you can get text on a computer directly using VoIPs, iMessage for Apple products, Google Voice, Microsoft Phone Link, and internet-based messaging apps such as Messenger and WhatsApp.
Calilio is a great solution for getting messages securely on your PC. Our business phone system provides secure calls or SMS messages across devices. Sign up today!!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Receive an Sms on My Computer?
Calilio’s web app enables your computer to receive text messages you usually get on your mobile.
How to Receive an Sms Without a Phone?
You can use a VoIP platform like Calilio or Microsoft Phone Link to receive text on your computer instead of on your phone.
What Is the App That Receives Sms on a PC?
Calilio is a popular VoIP app that allows you to receive SMS on your PC. As it works over the internet, you can make calls and send and receive SMS anywhere with an internet connection.
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