Apple is preparing an iOS 27 feature it calls iPhone Handoff, letting two iPhones share a number and picking whichever one you unlock. Android has quietly had cross-device SMS and calls for years, spread across a handful of apps that solve slightly different pieces. If you want texts on a laptop, calls on a tablet, or your primary phone bridged to a work handset, one of the seven best apps below already does it.
We tested each on how quickly a text arrives on a second device, how call handoff feels, whether the connection is encrypted end-to-end, and what happens without an internet connection.
What to look for in a cross-device SMS and calls app
- True SMS mirroring, not just notifications. You want to reply from the second device, not just see the text.
- Call answering, not just alerts. Picking up a call on a laptop matters as much as reading a text.
- End-to-end encryption where possible. Your messages route via a service. Some do not touch the plaintext, others do.
- LAN mode. For anyone who wants no cloud in the loop, the app should sync over local network.
- Cross-platform reach. If your other device is Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad, or an old Android, the app has to run there.
- No install bloat on the receiving side. Web-based receivers work in Chrome; heavy native apps add friction.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Receiving-side platforms | Free plan | Paid tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDE Connect | LAN-only, open source | Linux, Windows, macOS, Android | Full | None |
| Google Messages | Web-based SMS mirror | Chrome, Edge, Safari | Full | None |
| Microsoft Phone Link | Windows-first mirroring | Windows 11/10 | Full | None |
| AirDroid | Remote control + SMS/calls | Web, Windows, macOS | Basic (200 MB/mo) | ~$3/mo |
| Pushbullet | Simple SMS and notifications | Web, Chrome extension | 100 SMS/mo | $4.99/mo |
| Join by joaoapps | Automation-friendly | Web, Chrome extension | Trial | One-time modest |
| Signal Desktop | Secure messaging (no legacy SMS) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Full | None |
The apps
1. KDE Connect — Best open-source LAN mirror
KDE Connect pairs your Android phone to any device running the KDE Connect desktop client over your local network. SMS and MMS mirror in a native window, calls trigger a mute and show a notification you can act on, and the file transfer, remote input, and clipboard sync are the smoothest we have seen. Nothing leaves your LAN. No account, no cloud, no subscription. Available on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Where it falls short: the desktop side needs the KDE Connect app installed. It will not work off your Wi-Fi network without a self-hosted relay.
Pricing: free, open source (GPLv2).
Platforms: Android, Linux, Windows, macOS
Download: Aptoide, Google Play, F-Droid
Bottom line: the first pick for privacy-minded users with a Linux or Windows desktop.
2. Google Messages — Best web-based SMS mirror
Google Messages lets you use the Messages for Web page in Chrome, Edge, or Safari as a full SMS client. Scan a QR code once and every SMS, MMS, and RCS thread mirrors to your browser. The connection uses end-to-end encryption for RCS traffic. Nothing to install on the desktop side.
Where it falls short: the tab has to stay open or you have to re-scan periodically. Calls are not mirrored.
Pricing: free.
Platforms: Android, Chrome/Edge/Safari on any OS
Download: Aptoide, Google Play
Bottom line: the fastest fix if you just want texts on a laptop and already use Messages.
3. Microsoft Phone Link — Best Windows-first experience
Microsoft Phone Link (paired with the “Link to Windows” app on your phone) mirrors SMS, calls, notifications, and photos into a native Windows app. On Samsung, Honor, and select Surface Duo devices, you can also open and use full Android apps on the Windows desktop. Call answering with a headset is smooth, and the transfer of a picture from phone to Windows Explorer takes a second.
Where it falls short: the two-app pairing is Windows-only. The advanced app-streaming features are limited to a shortlist of Android phones.
Pricing: free.
Platforms: Android, Windows 10/11
Download: Aptoide, Google Play
Bottom line: the pick for Windows users. Set-up takes five minutes and Phone Link is included with the OS.
4. AirDroid — Best full-remote-access option
AirDroid mirrors SMS and calls but goes further: it lets you remote-control your phone, run screen mirroring for demos, and manage files without a cable. Access the phone from any browser at web.airdroid.com or from native Windows and macOS clients. Two-factor is on by default.
Where it falls short: the free tier caps monthly data at 200 MB and blocks remote camera. Traffic is proxied through AirDroid’s servers unless you enable LAN mode.
Pricing:
- Free: 200 MB/mo + basic mirror
- Paid: modest monthly subscription
Platforms: Android, Web, Windows, macOS
Download: Aptoide, Google Play
Bottom line: the pick if you want text mirror plus real remote control.
5. Pushbullet — Best simple SMS + notifications bridge
Pushbullet started as a notification bridge and grew into an SMS mirror. Text arrives on your desktop, you type back, done. It also sends links, files under 25 MB, and copy-paste snippets between devices. The Chrome extension is unusually clean.
Where it falls short: SMS is capped at 100/month on free. Calls are not mirrored.
Pricing:
- Free: 100 SMS/mo + notifications
- Paid: Pro removes the cap
Platforms: Android, Web, Chrome, Firefox, Windows, macOS
Download: Aptoide, Google Play
Bottom line: the smoothest lightweight option if you send fewer than 100 texts a month from your laptop.
6. Join by joaoapps — Best automation-friendly bridge
Join overlaps with Pushbullet on the surface but is built for automation. It integrates with Tasker, IFTTT, and Home Assistant. You can send a text from a bash script, mirror clipboards across three devices, or trigger phone actions from a Windows shortcut. Payment is a one-time cost, not a subscription.
Where it falls short: the UI has never been the point, and it shows. The learning curve is real.
Pricing: modest one-time purchase.
Platforms: Android, Web, Chrome, Windows
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: the pick for anyone who scripts, self-hosts, or lives in Tasker.
7. Signal Desktop — Best secure alternative
Signal Desktop is not an SMS mirror in the classic sense: it mirrors Signal traffic to any of your devices with end-to-end encryption throughout. If your goal is a secure conversation on your laptop and your phone, this is the safest of the seven. Signal removed legacy SMS support on Android, so the bridge only covers Signal-to-Signal messages.
Where it falls short: it does not mirror carrier SMS. If half your contacts are on iMessage or SMS, they cannot reach you through Signal.
Pricing: free, non-profit.
Platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: the pick if privacy matters more than legacy SMS coverage.
How to pick the right one
- If you want no cloud and full LAN mirroring: KDE Connect.
- If you only need texts on a browser: Google Messages.
- If you use Windows and want the smoothest bridge: Microsoft Phone Link.
- If you want full remote control of your phone: AirDroid.
- If you only send a handful of texts from a laptop each day: Pushbullet.
- If you script or automate: Join.
- If your priority is end-to-end encryption: Signal Desktop.
Two-phone setups. If the plan is a work phone and a personal phone, run Google Messages web on both browsers and let RCS handle the sync. For two Android phones on one number, most carriers support number sharing via eSIM secondary devices.
FAQ
Can Android really do what iPhone Handoff does? Yes. RCS in Google Messages plus one of these bridges gives you calls, texts, notifications, and file transfer between two devices without waiting for iOS 27.
Which app is the safest for cross-device messaging? Signal Desktop for end-to-end encryption. KDE Connect for a fully local no-cloud bridge.
Do any of these mirror WhatsApp? WhatsApp Web is the native answer for WhatsApp. Pushbullet and Join can push WhatsApp notifications to a desktop but not replies.
Does Google Messages need a paid Google account? No. Any Google account or Samsung Messages will connect to Messages for Web.
Will my carrier charge extra? No. Cross-device apps send data over your existing internet connection, not the SMS billing channel, unless the app is sending a real SMS through the phone’s radio.
