Microsoft Teams Set to Retire This Messaging Feature

As Microsoft transitions away from Skype, the company is guiding users toward its Teams platform. However, there’s a twist: by the time Skype officially bows out in May, Microsoft Teams will have already shed a feature that some users might miss.

Come April 2025, which is right around the corner, Teams will no longer handle sending or receiving SMS text messages. Right now, if you have an Android device, you can connect it to Microsoft Teams. This setup lets you view your SMS messages neatly under the Chats section, nestled in Recent.

But a Microsoft support document has laid out future plans, saying: "Starting April 2025, Teams won’t support SMS messaging from Android devices. If you want to keep doing this on Windows, you’ll need to switch to Phone Link. For more information, click here."

Microsoft hasn’t offered a clear reason why they’re discontinuing this feature. My hunch? Users have probably found more appeal in Phone Link or other similar options, rather than integrating SMS with Teams.

How Can I Send SMS Text Messages from a PC?

While Teams is dropping this Android link, don’t worry—you can still send and receive texts from your Windows PC. The solution is simple: use the Phone Link app instead.

(Image credit: Windows Central)

Phone Link, which some of you might remember as Your Phone, allows you to sync texts, pictures, and more between your phone and PC. The capabilities you get depend on the phone you use. For top-notch performance, a Samsung Galaxy phone is your best bet. Some OnePlus phones also offer deep integration with Phone Link.

Even if you’re using a different Android device, you’ll still find plenty of options for syncing the essentials between your phone and your PC. iPhone users will experience a more pared-back feature set, but they can still rely on Phone Link for calls and text replies.

Jez Corden, our Managing Editor back in 2022, went as far as to call Phone Link the best Windows feature of the past decade. It’s a must-have if you’re someone who regularly juggles SMS and phone calls. Of course, for folks nested in ecosystems like WhatsApp or Telegram, the appeal might not be quite the same.