[NFBCS] Microsoft Phone Link question

Tue Jun 9 19:24:57 UTC 2026

That's true that you usually need a Mac for set up. There is a hosted option for $16.99 per month where they use their own Mac to perform the registration, but I'm not sure that option works on Windows or lets you use your own Apple ID, since the hosted option is meant for people on Android who want their Android number to support iMessage. However, if you have a Mac or have access to one, you just run a program that gives you a code, and put that code into OpenBubbles and then it works. When I did that, I didn't have to keep the Mac on for OpenBubbles to work or anything like that. Even if you have access to a Mac for a short time or have a friend who has one it should work I think. There is some risk of your Apple ID getting banned so you should be aware of that, and they recommend logging your Mac out of your Apple account so its identifier is not duplicated with the second Apple login OpenBubbles creates. However, they also strongly recommend against using a Hackintosh with a fake serial number instead of a real Mac, but I did that and even kept my Hackintosh on my Apple account too at the same time and I didn't get banned. So I think these recommendations are just guidelines that make it less likely you will get banned, although there is always some chance of that happening but it seems pretty rare from things I've heard. They say that having an old Apple ID you've done a lot with improves your chances of not getting banned, and if you do get banned you have to call Apple and convince them to unban you. Getting banned means you can't log in to or use your Apple account until Apple fixes it, including services like iMessage or the App Store.
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 9, 2026, at 09:15, Doug Lee via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> My brief research suggests that you need a Mac to get OpenBubbles set up
> on Windows to work with an iPhone, and also that there may be some level
> of risk to the iPhone's ability to work alongside OpenBubbles though I
> don't know how likely any problems are there.
> 
> On Tue, Jun 09, 2026 at 09:51:37AM -0400, Joe Orozco via NFBCS wrote:
>   The names they come up with. I get the bubble reference, but I would
>   have never pinged on this service based on the name alone. LOL.
>   Do you know if this OpenBubbles will synchronize pre-existing messages?
>   That was one of my gripes with PhoneLink, that only new messages could
>   be synced.
>   Joe
> 
>   On Tue, Jun 9, 2026 at 12:32 AM Elijah Massey via NFBCS
>   <[1]nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
>   If you have an iPhone, I would use OpenBubbles instead. It’s an
>   iMessage client for Android and Windows, and its synchronization is
>   very good. I haven't tried it on Windows, but it is usable on Android
>   although it has unlabeled buttons. You can sign in with your Apple ID
>   and messages will sync between your computer and your phone. SMS and
>   RCS messages are also synced, and if you send one with OpenBubbles, it
>   will send using your phone's connection, just like what would happen
>   with an iPad or Mac linked to iMessage.
>   If you have an Android phone, Google Messages has a web client you can
>   use on Windows, and that will send and receive messages using your
>   phone.
>   Sent from my iPhone
> 
>     On Jun 8, 2026, at 14:36, Patrick Johnson via NFBCS
>     <[2]nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
>   
>   Anyone using Microsoft Phone Link to help make working on projects
>   easier?  I would like to use the software to better manage texts,
>   dictating texts has produced some embarrassing results recently.  In
>   digging through the documentation under notes it states does not work
>   with work/school accounts.  I am assuming this refers to the version of
>   Office.  Is there a work around or an alternative?
>   [3]https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/phone-link-requirements-an
>   d-setup-cd2a1ee7-75a7-66a6-9d4e-bf22e735f9e3#id0ebd=ios
>   I have looked at the Connection Point software but it is far too robust
>   for my needs plus it is $12/mo.
>   Thanks,
>   Patrick
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>   --
> 
>   --
>   Joe Orozco: Your Message, My Mission
> 
> 
> --
> Doug Lee   http://www.dlee.org
> "It is difficult to produce a television documentary that is both
> incisive and probing when every twelve minutes one is interrupted by
> dancing rabbits singing about toilet paper."  --Rod Serling
> 
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