Quick Answer: Is Intel Unison Still Working?
No. Intel ended Intel Unison on June 30, 2025 and removed it from the Microsoft Store on July 1, 2025. On most PCs the app no longer works correctly and can't be downloaded. The only exception Intel announced was Lenovo Aura Edition PCs, which kept service through the rest of 2025.
To replace it on an iPhone, use Microsoft Phone Link for calls and text messages, and Phone Link, WinSend or LocalSend for files and photos. For copy and paste between iPhone and PC, which Phone Link doesn't support, use WinSend.
What Was Intel Unison?
Intel Unison was a free app, launched in 2022, that linked a Windows 11 PC with an iPhone or Android phone. Intel built it on technology from Screenovate, a company it bought in 2021. With an iPhone, Unison let you:
- send files and photos between the phone and the PC;
- read and reply to text messages;
- make and answer calls;
- see phone notifications on the PC.
Many iPhone users liked it because, at the time, it did more with an iPhone than Microsoft's own Phone Link.
Why Was Intel Unison Discontinued?
Intel announced the shutdown with an in-app notice in spring 2025 ("Intel Unison is approaching its sunset at the end of June 2025"). Reports linked the decision to Intel's large layoffs, which led to the Unison team being disbanded. PC makers such as HP and Dell confirmed the end of support for their devices.
What Replaces Each Intel Unison Feature
| Unison feature | Best replacement for iPhone | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calls | Microsoft Phone Link | Built into Windows 10 and 11, free |
| Text messages | Microsoft Phone Link | Single-person texts only; no group messages or photos in messages |
| Notifications | Microsoft Phone Link | Pairs with the iPhone over Bluetooth |
| Files and photos | Phone Link, WinSend or LocalSend | All send in both directions; WinSend and LocalSend use your local network |
| Copy and paste (clipboard) | WinSend | Phone Link has no iPhone clipboard sync |
The Alternatives in Detail
1. Microsoft Phone Link: the closest all-in-one replacement
Phone Link, together with the Link to Windows app on the iPhone, covers most of what Unison did: calls, single-person texts, notifications and, since 2025, file sharing in both directions. It is free and already on Windows 10 and 11. Its limits with an iPhone: no clipboard sync, no group messages, and messages only appear while the phone is connected over Bluetooth. Read our guide to Phone Link for iPhone.
2. WinSend: files, photos and copy-paste between iPhone and PC
WinSend focuses on what you move between the devices most: photos, videos, files and copied text. Send from the Photos share sheet straight to the PC, tap “Get from PC” to grab the PC clipboard, or double-tap the back of the iPhone (Back Tap) to send copied text to Windows. It works on Windows 10 and 11 over your local network, without Bluetooth or an account. Every feature is free to try; after that, WinSend Pro is a one-time purchase.
3. LocalSend: free and open source
LocalSend sends files between almost any devices on the same network, including iPhone and Windows. It is completely free and open source, but it doesn't handle calls, messages or the clipboard.
For more options, including browser-based tools, see the AirDrop alternatives for Windows.
Which One Should You Use?
- You mainly used Unison for calls and texts → Microsoft Phone Link.
- You mainly moved photos and files → Phone Link works; WinSend or LocalSend if you prefer sending over your local network.
- You copy text between iPhone and PC every day → WinSend, alongside Phone Link if you also want calls.
Frequently asked questions
Is Intel Unison still working?
No. Intel ended Intel Unison on June 30, 2025, and removed it from the Microsoft Store on July 1, 2025. On most PCs it no longer works correctly. Lenovo Aura Edition PCs kept service through the rest of 2025.
Why was Intel Unison discontinued?
Intel announced the shutdown in spring 2025 without a detailed public reason. Reports linked it to Intel's large layoffs, which led to the Unison team being disbanded.
Can I still download Intel Unison?
No. It was removed from the Microsoft Store on July 1, 2025. Copies offered on other download sites are unofficial and no longer supported, so they are best avoided.
What is the best Intel Unison alternative for iPhone?
For calls and text messages, Microsoft Phone Link is the closest replacement and is built into Windows 10 and 11. For photos, files and copy-paste between iPhone and PC, WinSend works over your local network and adds clipboard transfer, which Phone Link doesn't offer.
Does Phone Link replace Intel Unison?
Mostly. With an iPhone, Phone Link handles calls, single-person texts, notifications and file sharing. It does not sync the clipboard, show group messages or send photos inside messages.
Try WinSend
Install WinSend on your Windows PC and iPhone, then follow the setup guide. Every feature is free to try.