When you first set up Messages on your Mac, you're asked to sign in to your iMessage account with your Apple ID. Messages then automatically attempts to sign in every time you open it. Signing in to FaceTime is similar. If either app doesn't sign in successfully, try these solutions.
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The stock Messages app can automatically send a text message as SMS, whenever iMessage is unavailable. This reduces the occurrence of “Not Delivered” errors. However, this feature is not enabled by default on your device. In order to turn this on, head over to Settings - Messages - Send as SMS and tap on the toggle. Fix iMessage Not Syncing with iCloud Issue on iPhone, iPad, and Mac So, how are we going to get the better of this problem? Well, we will first check off all the essential boxes as outlined by Apple for a seamless syncing of messages with the cloud service. In most cases, those essentials can resolve the issue right away. If all the troubleshooting steps that were just discussed do not fix the problem of iMessage not working on iPhone, then it will best to ask the Apple engineers for support. If you plan to visit the Apple Store it will be best to first fix an appointment with the Genius Bar as then you will not have to keep waiting for help. Check your device settings Make sure that you’re connected to a cellular data or Wi-Fi network. If you're using an iPhone, you need SMS messaging to activate your phone number with iMessage and FaceTime. Depending on your carrier, you might be charged for this SMS.
Check your Internet connection
Make sure that your Mac is connected to the Internet. You should be able to load web pages or receive email, for example.
Check for a service outage
Check the Apple System Status page for a temporary outage affecting iMessage or FaceTime.
Check your Date & Time settings
- Choose Apple menu () > System Preferences, then click Date & Time. Make sure that the date, time, and time zone are correct.
- If the ”Set date and time automatically” checkbox is selected, deselect it and select it again. (If the checkbox is dimmed, click and enter your administrator password.)
Make sure that your software is up to date
Learn how to update your Mac software. Software updates can improve the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, and might also resolve the issue.
Check your Apple ID
To make sure that your Apple ID and password are correct, go to the Apple ID account page and sign in with the same Apple ID that you're using with Messages and FaceTime. If that works, open the app and take these steps:
- Messages: Choose Messages > Preferences, then click Accounts. Select your iMessage account, then click Sign Out. Now sign in again with the same Apple ID you used on the Apple ID account page.
- FaceTime: Choose FaceTime > Preferences. In the Settings tab, click Sign Out. Then sign in again with the same Apple ID you used on the Apple ID account page.
Reset NVRAM
In case the issue is related to any of the settings stored in NVRAM, reset NVRAM on your Mac.
Check for third-party software
If you installed firewall, security, VPN, or other third-party networking software, make sure that the software isn't blocking any of the network ports used by iMessage and FaceTime. If necessary, disable the software and then try using your iMessage account or FaceTime again.
Learn more
Learn what to do if you have other FaceTime issues.
FaceTime is not available in all countries or regions.
By Vernon Roderick, Last updated: January 22, 2021
If you own multiple iOS devices or a Mac, it’s natural that you’d use iMessage. After all, it has the ability to synchronize messages across your devices, as long as you use the same account. It’s quite convenient for multiple device users such as yourself.
Unfortunately, some people noticed iMessage not syncing when it’s supposed to. With this problem, quite frankly, there’s really no reason to use iMessage.
So in this guide, we will talk about how you can fix iMessage not syncing on your devices, be it iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Let’s start with the easiest solution.
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iMessage Not Syncing Solution #1. Check if it is Enabled
Before you complain about iMessage not syncing, you should first see if it is enabled in the first place. This is the most common mistake of users, they haven’t enabled iMessage but expect it to work.
Below are the steps to enable iMessage syncing for iOS devices and Mac:
- iOS Devices. Open the Settings Now go to Message and turn the slider beside the iMessage option so it becomes green.
- Open the Messages app. Now click on Messages from the menu bar and go to Preferences > Accounts. Now select iMessage from the list of Accounts and make sure that your Apple ID is entered and the box is checked.
Once you have done this, iMessage should work properly. If it didn’t, then we really are dealing with an issue here. So you will need to do some troubleshooting.
iMessage Not Syncing Solution #2. Enable iMessages Again
Enabling iMessage on your device is good and all, but iMessage not syncing can happen even with a properly set up device. That’s why some users tried turning it off and on again, and somehow it worked.
Although the reason is unclear, it may have something to do with the device not being able to recognize that the feature is enabled, so you have to do it again.
Since you already know how to turn it on, you should know how to turn it off. Simply turn it off, wait for a bit, and then turn it on again. Afterward, check if the error still persists.
If so, then you may also try another method that follows the same concept.
iMessage Not Syncing Solution #3. Sign Out and Back In
As you already know, in order to enable iMessages, you have to have an Apple account, and you have to use that account to sign in to iMessage. This applies to both Mac and iOS devices.
Usually, you are automatically signed in to your Apple ID once you enable iMessage, that’s why you might not know how to log in, which is not good this may be the reason for iMessage not syncing.
Below are the steps to sign out and sign in to iMessage with your Apple ID:
- iOS Device. Open the Settings Go to Messages > Send and Receive. Tap on the Apple ID that you’re currently using and select Sign Out. Now tap on Use Your Apple ID and enter the credentials for your Apple ID to sign in again.
- Open the iMessages app. Now click the Messages tab and go to Preferences > Accounts. There, select the Apple ID that you want to use and click on Sign Out. Once that’s done, sign in with the same Apple ID that you logged out of.
By signing out of the account, you are resetting the settings that were set on iMessage to default. So by signing in again, you are technically turning everything back to normal and hopefully, this will be the end of iMessage not syncing.
iMessage Not Syncing Solution #4. Verify Phone Number
Have you ever visited the official Apple website to check if everything is in its proper place?
If not, then perhaps you didn’t know that you have to verify that the phone number you use on your device is associated with your Apple ID. If you didn’t know, then it’s time you did, since it might be the key to stop the iMessage not syncing issue.
Below are the steps to verify your phone number:
- Open a browser on your device.
- Go to the Apple
- Log in to your Apple ID.
- There will be lots of things here, but what you want to look at would be the Phone Numbers Here, you will see the phone numbers that you’ve verified before.
- If you can’t see your phone number, enter the phone number on the Mobile Phone
- Click on Save Changes once you are done.
Once you’ve done this, try disabling and enabling the iMessage again. This will make sure that any change that you’ve done is really saved into the system. Now check if you’ll no longer see iMessage not syncing.
iMessage Not Syncing Solution #5. Check Email Address
In addition to a phone number, you should also ensure that the email address associated with the Apple ID is correct. So how can you check the email address?
- iOS Device. Open the Settings app and go to Messages > Send & Receive. You should be able to see the list of emails somewhere on the screen. If you can’t find what you want to use, tap on Add Another Email… Make sure that there is a check on its left.
- Open the Messages app. Click Messages from the menu bar and select Preferences. Go to the Accounts tab and make sure that the email address is listed here. Click on the Add Email button if you can’t find the correct email.
Remember that one email address and phone number can be used at a time, though you can enter others so it is already set up in case one doesn’t work.
iMessage Not Syncing Solution #6. Enable FaceTime
While you may think that enabling iMessage is already enough, think again. You should also make sure that it is properly set up, and that can be done with these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Go to FaceTime.
- Turn off FaceTime so it doesn’t appear as a green slider.
- Restart your device.
Since FaceTime is sometimes required by some devices, this may be what will help you see the end of iMessage not syncing. You may also try turning it off if it is already turned on the first time you went to this setting.
iMessage Not Syncing Solution #7. Enable Handoff
In addition to FaceTime, there’s also Handoff, a feature of Apple that allows you to leave what you’re currently doing on one device and continue it on another. Basically, it’s another feature that has something to do with syncing.
Although it was not meant to be, some users have reported that enabling this will help solve iMessage not syncing.
Below are the steps to enable Handoff:
- iOS Devices. Open your Settings. Go to General > Handoff. Turn the toggle On for Handoff so it becomes green. Restart your device.
- Go to the Apple Menu. Select System Preferences and on the General tab, turn on the slider for Handoff.
Although it is a free feature, you have to enable WiFi or at least have a stable internet connection to use this. This shouldn’t be a problem though, since using iMessage must mean you have internet.
iMessage Not Syncing Solution #8. Clear Up Some Space
Your last resort is to delete some threads on the iMessage app, mostly those that are old enough that you no longer remember them. So why would you need to do that, you may ask.
Experts have found out that iMessage not syncing might have something to do with storage space. Since iMessage is without a doubt an app, it may have some limits on how many threads it can store. As such, you should try deleting threads.
Unfortunately, this is a bit risky, hence why I saved this for last, but it shouldn’t matter much for the price of seeing the end of iMessage not syncing. After all, you’re only deleting threads that are no longer necessary.
Avoid Data Loss by Backing Up Your Messages
Although we’ve already discussed the last resort, the actual last resort is actually resetting your device so that iMessage can work properly again. However, that may lead to data loss, and that’s when FoneDog iOS Data Backup & Restore comes in.
FoneDog iOS Data Backup & Restore is a tool that allows users to create backups of their files in case they want to do some drastic measures such as resetting their device. If you ever decide to do just that, this software should be able to help.
iOS Data Backup and RestoreOne click to backup the whole iOS device to your computer.Allow to preview and restore any item from the backup to a device.Export what you want from the backup to your computer.No data loss on devices during the restore.iPhone Restore Won't Overwrite Your Data
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Conclusion
There is no reason for you to tolerate iMessage not syncing. It hinders your communication with other people, which might be urgent. It can also delay things that should’ve been done already. Simply put, it’s very inconvenient.
With this guide, you should be able to escape from this tragic loop and hopefully, you can contact your acquaintances once you fix this issue.
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