You can use the Skype app on Windows 10 to send and receive text messages to any phone from your PC. It’s all possible thanks to “SMS relay,” which is a new feature Microsoft is implementing in the latest preview of Skype for Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile.
SMS relay enables you to send and receive SMS and MMS messages from your PC to any phone without you having to reach your mobile device.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to set up Skype as your default messaging app to begin sending and receiving messages from your Windows 10 PC. Plus, we’ll go through the steps to start a new conversation, and switch between Skype and SMS and vice versa.
How to send SMS & MMS from a PC using Skype
This feature is only available in the latest Skype Preview app for Windows 10. If the app isn’t installed on your device, you’ll need to get it from the Windows Store.
To configure Skype to send SMS and MMS from your PC, do the following:
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Open Skype.
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Click the Settings (gear) button in the left rail.
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Under SMS, select Enable to turn on SMS sync with your phone.
Enable SMS on Skype for Windows 10 PC -
On your Windows 10 Mobile phone, open Skype.
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Tap the hamburger button and tap on Settings.
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Under SMS, tap the Change default SMS application.
Make Skype the default messaging app on Windows 10 Mobile -
Tap Yes to confirm that your making Skype your default messaging app to complete the task.
How to start a conversation and switch between Skype and SMS
You can start a new conversation with one person or a group of people, and the best part is that Skype will select the type of conversation based on your contact’s information to ensure everyone gets your message. If there are multiple ways to reach the same person, you’ll be given the choice to select between Skype to SMS.
To start a conversation, do the following:
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Open Skype.
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Click the + button.
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Select the contact you want to start a conversation with or enter their phone numbers.
Start an SMS conversation using Skype on Windows 10 -
Click Start.
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Compose and send your message to complete the task.
To switch between Skype and SMS and vice versa, do the following:
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Start a new conversation.
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Where you type your message, you’ll notice a Via option with the current communication type, use this menu to switch between Skype or SMS.
Switch between Skype and SMS messages -
Compose and send your message to complete the task.
Once you hit send, the text will sync to your phone, and then it’ll forward/send the SMS text to its destination, and all the texts will now sync and appear in your Windows 10 PC.
Note that you’ll need to have both, the Skype name and phone number already stored in your contact list in order for this to work. If the contact has multiple phone numbers, in the “Via” menu, you’ll need to click the gear button to switch numbers.
It’s worth pointing out that this SMS relay is only available for Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile, but in the future Microsoft will bring the same functionality to other platforms including Android and iOS.
What do you think about Skype becoming a unified communication platform across devices? Tell us in the comments below.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech (est. 2010). With over 21 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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