Mac doesn't send or receive Messages while iPhone does

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Mac doesn't send or receive Messages while iPhone does

Messages on my iPhone works as it should, but I'm only able to view past conversations on my Mac. I'm also unable to send or receive messages on my Mac. Wondering if anyone else is having this issue or has a solution? I read that back in March there was a software update that screwed some things up, but I'm assuming that's been fixed already?

I appreciate any advice.

(Edit to add: I'm running macOS Big Sur 11.5.1 which appears to be the latest update)

(Edit 2: Messages also appears to not be synced, because when I delete messages on my Mac, they still show up on my iPhone. I did go into Messages > Preferences to check, and after manually syncing it, it still appears to not be.)

Posted on Aug 7, 2021 11:16 AM

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Answer 1

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muguy

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Aug 7, 2021 11:23 AM in response to jshflgg

Check the settings on your iPhone:

Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding

Ensure that your Mac is toggled on. That will allow sending of messages, and receipt, from your Mac.

you can also enable messages in iCloud which will keep all of your devices in sync so that a message deleted on your phone will also delete on your Mac and vice versa.

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Answer 2

jshflgg Author

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Aug 7, 2021 11:29 AM in response to muguy

I did try the [ Settings > Messages > Test Message Forwarding ] thing and it does appear to be turned on. I switched it off and restarted my phone, but that didn't work either. I also checked that Messages was using iCloud, and it is. The only other thing I thought of was maybe if I go to [ Messages > Preferences > iMessage > Sign Out ] and sign back in, maybe that'd fix it?

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Answer 3

jshflgg Author

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Aug 7, 2021 11:44 AM in response to muguy

Yeah, I did both, neither worked. I'm not sure how much signing out on my phone would help, but I could try it.

(Edit: Okay so I turned off "Send as SMS" and that seemed to do the trick. It still seems to not be syncing with messages I sent on my phone, but at least I can receive 'em now)

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Answer 4

muguy

Level 10

82,363 points

Aug 7, 2021 11:32 AM in response to jshflgg

I'd probably start by trying to sync messages in Messages on the Mac, then signing out of iCloud on the Mac as that is the most probable offending device. Then I'd try the phone.

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Mac doesn't send or receive Messages while iPhone does

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