Google’s service normally requires a web browser. But it is also possible to access it with an independent program. Here are the different methods.
Google launched the web version of Android Messages, for sending and receiving SMS from your computer. This service normally requires the use of a web browser, but developers also offer versions as independent programs. You can, for example, download them from the website of Antoine Guilbert (macOS, Windows, Linux) or on that of Chris Knepper (macOS, Windows, Linux).
Use an existing program
We downloaded and installed Chris Knepper’s Windows app. Click on android-messages-desktop-setup-0.0.5.exe on its site (or on a newer version of the executable) and save the file. Then go to the downloads folder with the file explorer and double-click on the executable to install it. During the installation, you may be blocked by the SmartScreen protection of Windows 10. You must then click on Further information then on Run anyway to start the installation.
Once the installation has started, an entry Android Messages is accessible in the Windows 10 Start menu. Click on it and you can then launch the program without needing the browser.
The program is used like the web version. To learn more, read our article.
Create your own program
The site https://desktop.appmaker.xyz/ allows you to transform a web service into an independent app. Just enter the web service address (https://messages.android.com in our case) and the name you want to give to the program. An email address is also required to receive the download links but we advise you to wait a bit after clicking on the button Create Now.
After 2-3 minutes of waiting, the versions for macOS, Linux and Windows are ready to download. Click on the button Download Windows version, then save the Zip file (button Save with Edge browser).
The next step is to decompress the Zip archive. Start Windows File Explorer (
We will use the copy / paste by key sequence. Click on the folder Android Messages-win32-x64 and copy it by typing
You are ready to launch the executable which is in the folder Android Messages-win32-x64. To launch it immediately, double-click on Android Messages.exe. You can also facilitate access to the app by right-clicking on the file. From the context menu, select Pin to start screen Where Pin to taskbar whichever suits you best. You can then launch the program from the Start menu or from the Windows taskbar.
When launching the executable, you risk being blocked by Windows 10 SmartScreen protection as seen above. You must then click on Further information then on Run anyway (the operation is only done once).
You then access the same interface of Android Messages as for the Web version. All you have to do is use it in conjunction with your smartphone.