How to Text from a Computer? 9 Easy Methods

Texting from a computer makes communication faster and more convenient. With a larger keyboard, you can type messages with ease and accuracy while avoiding the constant hassle of switching between devices. Here are some key benefits:

• Faster Typing: A full-sized keyboard lets you type quickly and more accurately, saving time when sending lengthy or multiple messages.
• Fewer Distractions: Sending and receiving texts directly from your computer helps you stay focused, without the need to keep checking your phone.
• Multitasking: You can keep other applications or browser tabs open, allowing you to manage tasks side by side while continuing your conversations.
• Improve Professionalism: With the ability to format text (bold, italics, bullet points), attach documents or images, and draft messages more carefully, you can present yourself in a polished manner following proper text message etiquette.

You can use email, Google Messages, the Phone Link app, iMessage, free SMS websites, browser extensions, WhatsApp/Viber, or virtual phone numbers to text directly from your PC. The process of sending messages from a computer depends on your device and preferences.

Sending and reading emails is not the only thing you can do with an email platform. You can also send an email as an SMS message from your computer using an SMS gateway address.

The gateway address depends on the carrier. For example, T-Mobile uses @tmomail.net. To send a text, you type the recipient’s phone number followed by the carrier’s gateway domain.

For instance, if you want to send a message to 1234567890 on T-Mobile, you would send it to 1234567890@tmomail.net

Below we’ve listed the SMS and MMS gateway addresses of popular phone carriers:

When you send the email, the recipient receives it as a text message on their phone. If they reply, their response appears in your email inbox.

Pros and Cons

Google Messages for the Web lets you text from both desktop and mobile. With features like group chat and multimedia sharing, it makes conversations easier to manage. Unlike some services, Google doesn’t send messages directly from your computer. Instead, it mirrors the Google Messages app on your phone.

To use it, your devices need to stay synced. You can connect them by scanning a QR code or by signing in with the same Google account on both your phone and computer.

Steps to Send a Text Message from Google Message

1. Open the Google Message.
2. Click Start Chat.
3. Enter the recipient’s name or phone number.
4. Type your message and click the Send.

Pros and Cons

Microsoft Phone Link lets you send and receive text messages on your Windows PC with either an Android or an iPhone. It links your phone to your computer, so your SMS threads show up on the desktop. You can start new chats, reply, and type on a full keyboard.

Follow these steps to set up and start texting

1. On your PC, open Phone Link.
2. Choose Android or iPhone.
3. On your phone, open or install Link to Windows (Android) or follow the iPhone setup shown in Phone Link.
4. Scan the QR code and allow the requested permissions.
5. On your PC, open the Phone Link app > Messages >  New message, pick a contact, type, and press Send.

Pros and Cons

iMessage is an in-built messaging feature in Apple devices that lets messages be sent over WiFi or a cell connection with an Apple ID. It is exclusively designed for Apple devices, so if you send text to an Android phone, it will be sent as a standard SMS/MMS message. You can use an iCloud account to sync devices and text SMS from a PC.

Steps to Send Text Messages Through iMessage

1. Open the Messages app on your Mac.
2. Tap the Compose button in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Enter the recipient’s phone number or Apple ID email.
4. Type your message and click Send.

Pros and Cons

Websites like GlobFone, AfreeSMS, SendSMSNow, TextNow, and TextFree offer free online texting without using mobile data or extra charges. With their easy-to-use interfaces and cost-effectiveness, they enhance your computer texting experience.

You can start texting from your computer for free on these SMS websites. Some let you send messages directly, while others may ask you to sign up or log in before using their service.

For instance, to send text from a computer via TextNow:

1. Go to the TextNow website and log in to your account.
2. Click on or open the Web Messaging section.
3. Enter your intended recipient’s number .
4. Type your SMS text in the message box.
5. Hit Send to deliver your message.

Similarly, to text from a computer using AfreeSMS:

1. Go to AfreeSMS’s official website and open the Send Free SMS page.
2. Select the country of the recipient from the drop-down list.
3. Enter the recipient’s phone number, in international phone number format (without trunk codes where necessary).
4. Type your message in the Text Message box.
5. Complete the verification step (enter the characters or digits shown in a CAPTCHA or image).
6. Click Send to dispatch your text. 

Pros and Cons

Browser extensions make it easy to send and respond to SMS messages right from your browser. These add-ons connect your phone or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service with your computer, giving you a simple way to manage texts without switching devices. Many services, including Pushbullet, provide this feature, such as tools that sync your phone with your browser.

Or, you can also use RingCentral or other VoIP providers with browser extension capabilities. These services often combine texting, calling and even voicemail features, so you can handle communication directly from one place.

General steps to send text from a computer using a browser extension:

1. Go to your browser’s extension store and install a messaging or VoIP extension of your choice.
2. Sign up or log in with the account linked to your phone or VoIP number.
3. Open the extension, enter the recipient’s number, type your message, and send it from your PC.

Pros and Cons

Text messaging service platforms like WhatsApp and Viber also offer desktop versions, merging mobile and computer experiences. These apps let you send text messages, share files, photos, and videos, and even make audio or video calls.

To use them, you need to link your phone with the desktop app. This is done by scanning a QR code from your mobile device, which connects your account and syncs your chats across devices.

General steps to send a text message using such services:

1. Open the messaging app (WhatsApp, Viber, etc.) on your computer.
2. Tap on New Chat or select a contact from your synced list.
3. Type your message in the chat box and click Send.

Pros and Cons

VoIP service providers are a great choice if you need to send texts from your computer, especially for medium to large-sized businesses. Most providers offer web and desktop apps that let you manage both text messages and calls in one place. With these tools, you can also handle bulk messaging, automate replies, and track conversations across devices.

Popular affordable VoIP providers like Calilio, Google Voice, Quo, and others give you the flexibility to text clients and teams directly from your PC. Many also include advanced features such as reusable templates, group messaging, and cloud storage for message history.

You must have Calilio’s virtual phone number and subscribe to its plan to enable texting from your computer.

Steps to send a text using a VoIP provider:

1. Sign up with a reliable VoIP service provider.
2. Open the provider’s web or desktop app.
3. Go to the Messaging or SMS section.
4. Enter the recipient’s phone number.
5. Type your message in the text box.
6. Click Send to deliver the text.

Pros and Cons

Using a computer is one of the best ways to text when your phone is disconnected, broken, or lost. It is faster and more accurate than typing on a small mobile device. It also allows for multitasking—you can continue working on your computer while sending and receiving texts, minimizing distractions.

There are many options for texting from a computer, such as leveraging apps like WhatsApp, Viber, and Google Voice, or through VoIP service providers. Each has its own perks and drawbacks. However, among them, VoIP service providers are the most efficient choice.

You don’t have to worry about linking your phone to a computer, your recipient doesn’t need to be a registered user of the same app, and it doesn’t matter if they have internet access. You can simply send a text directly to their phone number.

While there are many VoIP providers, Calilio is a strong choice. You only need to sign up with us, subscribe to a plan, acquire a virtual phone number, and you can start texting easily from your PC. On top of that, Calilio offers advanced messaging features built for businesses, such as canned responses, bulk texting, and A2P messaging. These tools save time, improve customer communication, and help you manage messages at scale.