Microsoft Gives Windows Insiders A Look At SMS Relay Text Messaging In Skype For PC

If you’re a Windows Insider, then you have a nifty little feature to try out in the latest Skype Preview for both Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile. The latest update to Microsoft’s premiere messaging app allows you to both send and receive text messages via your Windows 10 PC using the SMS relay feature.

The only catch is that the Skype Preview must be set as your default messaging app on your Windows 10 Mobile device. “There’s no need to reach for your phone – you can view new messages as they arrive and respond to messages from your computer,” writes Microsoft’s Suzanne Choney in a blog posting. “Send and receive texts, group messages and photos all in one app with a single view of your SMS and Skype conversations.”

If you recall, Microsoft introduced similar functionality earlier this year in preview builds of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Messaging Everywhere, which was introduced in Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 14327, allowed you to send and receive text messages on your Windows 10 PC using your Windows 10 Mobile smartphone as a conduit — all without the need of Skype. However, Microsoft decided to axe the functionality in future Insider Previews.

Perhaps Microsoft is now trying to tie such functionality to Skype to make the messaging app more relevant in today’s marketplace. Skype is facing stiff competition from messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, and Microsoft revealed this week that it is closing down its London headquarters in an effort to consolidate operations.

For now, SMS relay in the Skype Preview is only available to Insiders, but it will be rolled out to everyone using the Windows 10 Anniversary update over the next few months.