Microsoft Teams Set to Retire This Messaging Feature

As Microsoft edges closer to phasing out Skype, it’s steering users toward its more contemporary platform, Teams. Yet, intriguing as it is, by the time May rolls around and support for Skype officially concludes, Teams will have already bid farewell to a notable feature.

Fast forward to April 2025, just around the corner, and you’ll find that Microsoft Teams is dropping its support for sending and receiving SMS texts. As it stands, this feature allows users to link an Android device to their Teams account, letting them see SMS conversations right in the Chats tab under the Recent section.

A helpful Microsoft document clears up any ambiguity, sounding the end of support for connecting Android devices to Teams for SMS purposes. “Important: Starting April 2025, sending and receiving SMS messages from your Android device will no longer be supported in Teams. To continue using this feature on Windows, please use Phone Link. Learn more here,” the document advises.

The reasoning behind this change hasn’t been explained by Microsoft. However, one could speculate that many users gravitate toward alternatives like Phone Link rather than integrating SMS messages into Teams.

So, how can you continue sending SMS texts from your PC, you ask? Well, even as Teams drops this feature, you can still send and receive messages on a Windows PC using the reliable Phone Link app.

The Phone Link app, which has been around for a while (previously known as Your Phone), permits you to sync not just text messages, but also photos and other data between your phone and computer. While the exact features on offer can vary, if you’re wielding a Samsung Galaxy device, expect the most seamless experience. Some OnePlus phones also boast strong integration with Phone Link, offering plenty of options.

For other Android users, there’s still a good selection of syncing capabilities between your devices. However, those using iPhones will find a more limited suite of features, although the app still allows for call handling and text replies.

Way back in 2022, our Managing Editor Jez Corden touted Phone Link as the best Windows innovation of the past decade. It holds great appeal for those who rely on SMS messaging and phone calls, offering a superb tool for communication. However, if you’re more embedded in platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram, you might find it doesn’t quite fit all your needs.