The necessity to switch all the time whenever you need to send SMS messages to friends and families could be annoying especially if you’re like me who works most of the times on a computer. The essence of this guide is to show you alternative ways to send text messages directly from your computer (PC/Mac) without having to switch to your smartphones all the time.

One amazing thing about the solution we’re offering in this post is that you don’t need to install any application or some special software on your computer to activate this functionality because everything is done through the web via a web browser.

Google Voice (U.S only / G Suite Users)

For now, you can utilize Google Voice only if you live in the U.S. In case you have G Suite, you might get access to Google Voice if you are in the list of countries supported.

In a tweet (back in January 2019), Google shared its plan to add support for Google Voice only for the business customers (with a list of limited countries):

Google Voice is a great tool that can be used to send Text messages. The limitation here is that it’s only for those living in the United States only. Meanwhile if you’re a G-Suite user, then you can get access by going through the list of countries supported by the service.

Earlier January, Google shared it’s plan to add support for Google Voice only for it’s business customers but with limited countries on the list. In the Tweet, Twitter users requested if there is any plan to include European users to be able to access this service.

https://t.co/QgYfj03ADn

Hey @hallstephenj, I run Hangouts and this is pretty shoddy reporting. No decisions made about when Hangouts will be shut down. Hangouts users will be upgraded to Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet. Your source is severely misinformed. You can do better.

— Scott Johnston (@happyinwater) December 1, 2018

The issue here is if your country isn’t listed among those supported, it might be hard to bypass that meanwhile you can try out the Google Voice on your G Suite subscription account.

In order to achieve this, you have to login to your Google Voice Page and then Claim a Number from the list of available areas and then verify it. If the process is successful, then you’re set to start texting anyone from your contact list.

Usually there is no charges attached to this but some network carriers might charge especially if you’re accessing the service outside the United States. There is an official FAQ page prepared by Google which you read for more guide.

Windows App

There is another alternative to the Google Voice/G-Suite mentioned above. If you want to get notifications of your text messages on your computer and you’re a Windows PC user, then you can install an application called Your Phone and then set it up from your smartphone.

You just have to follow the onscreen instructions and sign in with a Microsoft account – as shown in the screenshot above it’s that simple so you don’t miss any text alert on your phone again while working on your desktop computer.

Google Web Messages For Android

Again is another Google service. This service is for Android users and the application is called Messages by Google. When you install this app you can easily log in to Messages for Web on your desktop and then sync it with your smartphone.

This software works the same way WhatsApp works with it’s web based version whereby you only need to do some quick syncing and everything will be set up within seconds.

For example, you just have to launch the Messages Application and then tap on the 3-Dotted menu button at the top and then tap on “Messages for Web” and scan the QR code that is being displayed on your desktop web browser and that’s all.

Messages on Mac

Mac users aren’t left out as well. If you want to access the iMessage on your desktop it can be easily setup by following the longer yet official guide put up by Apple on it’s website.

The difference between the iMessage and Messages for Android is that you get to use the native version for Mac and iPhone without the need to install any third-party tool. As for the Android alternative, you’ll be needing to download the desktop app or use a web browser all separately.

IN CONCLUSION

So whether you’re an Android or iPhone user, there is a solution readily available to help you get text message alert and communicate directly on your desktop computer without having to switch to your smartphone every now and then.