As of Beside macOS 1.1.0, you can send and receive texts and make phone calls directly from your Mac. This brings the same phone communication you use on the mobile app to your desktop - no need to switch devices.
Available in the US and Canada for users on iOS and Android who have a phone line configured.
Set up on mobile first
📖 Beside for macOS uses the same phone line as your mobile app. Phone line configuration can only be done from the Beside mobile app - this isn't available on macOS yet.
🟡 No line configured?
If you haven't set up a phone line on mobile yet, you'll see a prompt in the macOS app to get started. Download the Beside mobile app from the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android) and complete line setup there first.
Once your line is active on mobile, it's automatically available in Beside for macOS - no extra setup needed.
Send and receive texts
To access your messages on macOS:
Open Beside on your Mac
Click 💬 Text in the left sidebar
Your conversations will appear in the middle column
Select a conversation to read and reply, or click + New to start a new thread
💡 Tip: You can use Ask Beside AI or Saved Replies directly from the message compose bar.
📌 Read status not synced yet: A message you read on macOS will still appear as unread on your mobile app (and vice versa). This will be improved in a future update.
Make and receive calls
To use calls on macOS:
Open Beside on your Mac
Click 📞 Phone in the left sidebar
Click Start Call to dial a number, or select a recent call to call back
Your recent call history is displayed here, including incoming, outgoing, and missed calls - with AI-generated call summaries for recorded calls.
Current limitations
This is a first version focused on core messaging and calling. A few things to be aware of:
Line configuration (new lines, call forwarding, Caller ID, etc.) is only available on the Beside mobile app
Texts and calls on macOS are available in the US and Canada only
Some mobile-only features are not yet available on macOS - the team is actively adding more based on feedback
Read status is not synced between macOS and mobile
FAQ
Why can't I see my texts or calls on macOS?
Why can't I see my texts or calls on macOS?
You need to set up a phone line on the Beside mobile app first. Line configuration is not available on macOS. Once your line is active on mobile, it appears automatically on macOS.
Can I configure call forwarding or Caller ID from macOS?
Can I configure call forwarding or Caller ID from macOS?
Not yet. Line configuration (call forwarding, Caller ID, adding new lines) can only be done from the Beside mobile app. Once configured, those settings apply on macOS automatically.
Why are my messages still showing as unread on my phone?
Why are my messages still showing as unread on my phone?
Read status is not yet synced between macOS and mobile. A message you read on one platform will still appear as unread on the other. This will be improved in a future update.