One thing I have missed using Android, rather than iOS as my main phone, is the ability to send and receive messages on my phone, tablet or laptop. And while Android still has a long way to go to get close to the functionality or usability of iMessage, they have taken a step in the right direction with Android Messages for Web.
Personally it addresses one key item for me – I tend to send ’email-like messages’, so typing on my iPad is much preferred to tapping on my screen.
To get started, you’ll need the latest version of Android messages installed on your phone running Android Oreo (8.0) or newer. Once you have that version, tap the upper right three-dot menu and select ‘Messages for Web’ and you will get a screen asking you to scan a QR from your computer to link your browser to your phone.
To get to the website above to link your computer, head to the official Messages for Web site.
One cool thing you might notice from above is that I have linked both my work PC and my iPad to my phone, allowing me to grab messages without taking my phone out of my pocket whether I am at my desk or in a meeting. The downside is that only one can be active at a time. Another downside is that while there are notifications available in theory, I have yet to see one appear in the couple of days I have been using the service.
Overall, I am finding Android Messages for Web a useful addition to my productivity because it complements the tools I prefer to use on a daily basis and makes messaging more convenient.
Check it out – it is free, a native service, and secure because it requires a connection with your phone.