Credit: Pankil Shah / MakeUseOf

Ideally, an iPhone works best with a Mac since Apple designs its devices to integrate seamlessly. But if, like me, you prefer using a Windows PC for work, things don’t have to feel disjointed. With the right apps, I’ve managed to make my iPhone and PC work together almost as smoothly as an iPhone and Mac.

These apps let me sync photos and files, manage messages, calls, and even backups without constantly picking up my iPhone. I can reply to texts using my keyboard, take calls through my headset, and transfer photos instantly, all from my desktop.

5 LocalSend

AirDrop-style sharing for everyone

Those who use a Mac with their iPhone know how effortlessly AirDrop lets you pass files back and forth. While Windows doesn’t have that luxury built in, LocalSend is a near-perfect alternative. This app gives you AirDrop-style sharing between your iPhone, PC, and pretty much any other device you own.

Using LocalSend is as simple as it gets. You install the app on both your iPhone and PC, choose what you want to send, and select the nearby device. Both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network, and that’s it. Since the transfer happens entirely over your local network, your files never leave it, which means faster speeds and better privacy.

LocalSend also wins points for being completely open source and cross-platform. You’re not locked into a specific ecosystem. It works just as smoothly between iPhone and Windows as it does with Android, macOS, or Linux.

Download: LocalSend for iOS | Windows (Free)

4 Camo Studio

Turn your iPhone into the webcam your PC deserves

Most Windows laptops aren’t known for their webcam quality. But if you only join video calls occasionally, there’s no need to buy an external camera. Windows already lets you use an Android phone as a webcam, but if you’re using an iPhone, you can get the same experience with an app called Camo Studio.

This app lets you connect your iPhone to your PC, either with a cable or wirelessly. The free version is limited to 720p, but even at that resolution, it delivers a far sharper and more vibrant image than most built-in laptop webcams.

You can also get Camo Pro for 1080p and 4K video. It’s perfect for streamers, content creators, or anyone who wants to look their best on calls.

Download: Camo Studio for iOS | Windows (Free, premium version available)

3 Phone Link

Text, call, and sync without picking up your phone

If you’ve ever felt a bit envious of how seamlessly iPhone and Mac users move between their devices, Microsoft’s Phone Link helps bridge that gap. It brings a touch of that Apple-style continuity experience right to your Windows PC.

With Phone Link, you can view notifications right from your desktop, take calls without picking up your phone, and even see and reply to text messages (yes, that includes iMessages). What really makes it shine, though, is how seamlessly it handles file transfers. If you ever need to move a photo, screenshot, or document from your iPhone to your PC, you can do it wirelessly.

If you spend most of your day on a Windows PC but can’t live without your iPhone, Phone Link deserves a spot at the very top of your must-have apps list.

Download: Phone Link for iOS (Free)

2 iCloud

All your Apple data, now just a click away

If you’re already living in Apple’s ecosystem, chances are your photos, videos, files, and even passwords are tucked safely away in iCloud. The good news is, you don’t have to grab your iPhone or open a browser every time you need something. You can just install iCloud on your PC.

Once it’s set up, you can easily access your iCloud Drive files, photos, and other synced data right from your PC. Even better, your photos automatically sync with the Windows Photos app, your files appear neatly in File Explorer, and your passwords, contacts, calendars, and bookmarks stay up to date across browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

Download: iCloud for Windows (Free)

1 Apple Devices

Manage, back up, and restore your iPhone with ease

iCloud is great for syncing and backing up your iPhone, but if you prefer a more hands-on, direct approach, the Apple Devices app is exactly what you need. It lets you back up your iPhone locally to your PC, install software updates, or even restore your device if something goes wrong.

It’s perfect for those who prefer having a physical backup on their PC rather than depending entirely on the cloud. You can choose exactly what to sync and back up—photos, contacts, music, or other data—instead of syncing everything automatically like iCloud does.

Download: Apple Devices for Windows (Free)

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While Apple’s ecosystem still offers the smoothest experience when you’re all-in with its devices, Windows users don’t have to miss out on that same sense of connection. These apps are just a start. There are even more tools designed for specific needs, like syncing your notes, mirroring your screen, and much more.