Q: Messages won't work with iMessage after Mountain Lion install

I was escalated to senior support and spent an hour on the phone with them. He had no clue and kept consulting the Apple ID department. He said he will call back as soon as he gets an answer or Thursday, whichever is sooner. He then gave me his contact info in case he forgets. We'll see. I've deleted all .plist files, changed password, and they can't figure it out. They keep telling me that I have a .mac account, but I never did. I think it has something to do with the MobileMe to iCloud transition.

Hi celloitt147,

Whilst Messages Beta was around I got the impression that linking a MobileMe name (username@me.com) to an iCloud account (Also username@me.com) created a situation where you were then asked to Close the MobileMe account.

I think this then effectively closed the linked ID as a whole to some parts of the services that Apple offer.

As I said I got this Impression but no-one seemed to confirm that when setting up their iCloud @Me.com name they had managed to use the same @me.com name.

My Own experiences is of linking an external email to Apple (But Apple ID) to an iCloud issued @me.com.

This gives me two names (using the same password) to access my iTunes, App Store Apple Support Communities.

However for iMessages they are two different IDs when used in Messages and sending iMessages.

Also only one of them is a Valid AIM Screen Name in Messages.

Similar to the @Mac.com to @Me.com or linking them at the .Mac to MobileMe change over I think thre iCloud process allows the creation of two IDs of the same name.  (I can't prove this though).

If this is then followed by the closing of the MobileMe part it seems that access is also denied.

I also have @mac.com account where I have removed the linked email address on the Apple ID site which may also be causing me some issues (See my reply to Michael Paine on the 30th)

7:46 PM      Tuesday; July 31, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

  iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),

"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

I have this same problem, did you get a reply?

I had this problem, turned out that somehow my account had become 'Registration Blocked'

Phone support fixed this for me easily. Also allowed me to delete a defunct apple ID that was causing issues

I had the same issue after updating from Lion to Mountain Lion. Apple care had no clue. So, I figured it out. I have one account for iTunes/Puchase call it itunes@hotmail.com and another for iCloud, call it icloud@me.com.

On my iphone, under the Settings | Messages, I had only the phone number as a way to be reached fro messages. So, I added my icloud@me.com address. Then went back to my mac and BINGO! I was able to logon to iMessage.

Not sure I understand exactly why, but it worked: so make sure that your iPhone/iPad allows to receive messages to that email address too!

David

Thanks David! I worked for me. I only had my phone number on my iPhone and I have earlier wondered why my friends couldnt iMessage me with my email.

Spoke to an Apple Techie who tried to delete my unwanted mac.com account. He failed and said I needed to contact the iTunes account people. She tried and said it could only be deleted by the tech support people. So ... I give up. mac.com accounts are forever.

Ralph, you were absolutely right. After about 2 weeks working with Apple Support, it just started working. When I called my rep to ask, he confirmed it was a server issue where in the transition, my ID had been duplicated. The weird thing was that I encountered no problems until moving from Lion with the beta to Mountain Lion with the final release. My MobileMe @me.com and my iCloud @me.com are exactly the same.

The strangest thing was that I couldn't log into iMessage until after logging into FaceTime. Supposedly the verification server is the same, but I had to do FaceTime first.

Hi,

FaceTime first.

Thanks for that.

10:45 PM      Thursday; August 16, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

  iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),

"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

ive been having this problem for over weeks, and i have no idea what to do! can somebody help please!

Hi,

The main suggestion in this thread is to use iTunes and go to iTunes Support and  then Contact Support so that someone from Apple who can deal with Apple IDs can then change the Status of your Apple ID.

Jumping in on a Thread that has been marked Correct (Solved/finished) without apparently reading the suggestions and saying you don't know what to do leaves a lot to be desired.

8:36 PM      Wednesday; September 12, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

  iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),

"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Im not just jumping, and sorry i dont speak english as well as everyone else, and i dont exactly understand what to do! it is not because i just want it in a easy way..... if you know what i should exactly do please do tell in a understandable way, much will be appreciated, thank you

Hi,

At the bottom of the iTune Store page

Uploaded with Skitch!

This will launch/Start a web page

Uploaded with Skitch!

And the next page show you this (Top of page)

Uploaded with Skitch!

You then have to chose a Topic.

Uploaded with Skitch!

The next page will suggest changing your Password but beneath that it says More Option and offers an email link

Use this link.

9:25 PM      Thursday; September 13, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

  iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),

"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Message was edited by: Ralph Johns (UK)

A guy called David on another discussion posted this and it worked for many of use first time:

I had the same issue after updating from Lion to Mountain Lion. Apple care had no clue. So, I figured it out. I have one account for iTunes/Puchase call it itunes@hotmail.comand another for iCloud, call it icloud@me.com.

On my iphone, under the Settings | Messages, I had only the phone number as a way to be reached fro messages. So, I added my icloud@me.com address. Then went back to my mac and BINGO! I was able to logon to iMessage.

Not sure I understand exactly why, but it worked: so make sure that your iPhone/iPad allows to receive messages to that email address too!

David