As we bid farewell to Skype, Microsoft’s attention shifts to Teams. However, before Skype officially bows out in May, users of Teams will notice a change: a loss of functionality.
Come April 2025, Microsoft Teams will no longer accommodate the sending and receiving of SMS text messages. Right now, this feature works by linking an Android phone to Teams, letting you view SMS texts within the Chats section under Recent.
An official Microsoft document confirms this upcoming change, indicating that soon you won’t be able to connect your Android device to Teams for SMS capability. As the document outlines, “Starting April 2025, sending and receiving SMS messages from your Android device will no longer be supported in Teams. To continue leveraging this feature on Windows, please switch to using Phone Link. Further details can be found here.”
Microsoft hasn’t pinpointed why they’re retiring this feature. It seems possible that users favor solutions like Phone Link or other alternatives over connecting SMS directly through Teams.
### Sending SMS Text Messages from Your PC
Even with Teams stepping back from Android connections, it doesn’t mean you’re losing the ability to text from a Windows PC. Enter Phone Link, your go-to replacement.
The Phone Link app, once called Your Phone, is a staple Microsoft feature for syncing messages, photos, and other content between your phone and PC. The range of features you can access will vary based on your phone model. Enjoy a seamless experience with Samsung Galaxy phones, while select OnePlus devices offer robust integration as well.
For other Android users, plenty of syncing options are still on the table. Unfortunately, iPhone users have a slightly trimmed experience — though Phone Link still supports calls and basic texting features.
In 2022, our Managing Editor Jez Corden praised Phone Link as the standout Windows innovation of the last ten years, especially for those who rely heavily on SMS and phone calls. If your communication mainly takes place on platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram, Phone Link might not add much value, but for SMS devotees, it’s invaluable.
