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Q: iMessages always offline when I sign onto macbook

I may have two separate problems or else they are connected. I am very much a novice when it comes to my macbook pro.  My first problem is after  I log into my macbook, I get two back to back pop ups asking for my iCloud password.  I then will proceed to iMessages and notice that the account is not activated.  I have to go to preferences/acccounts, click on iMessages then enter my password and it turns on.  I have then clicked on "details" and again it asks for my password; I enter it then another box opens up.  It shows my Apple ID then two content boxes that uses bullets to represent character that would spell out my password but I KNOW that this is not the correct password as it is too short.  I can't change as it requires me to click on Manage ID which would result in changing my password for all aspects of my macbook and iPhone.  I then can see on my iPhone that I have a message from apple saying something of the sort : Jenn's macbook pro is using your id for face time. 

 

I have used the Keychain first aid and nothing shows up as being a problem.  I frankly do not know what a key chain is.  If I go to keychains/icloud, the only things listed are for gmail, google calendar and Escrowservice which I have NO clue what that is.

 

Please help! 

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), Mac OS X (10.7.5), 10.8.4 version

Posted on Mar 17, 2015 1:21 PM

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Q: iMessages always offline when I sign onto macbook

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  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Mar 17, 2015 1:41 PM in response to simplnsweet
    Level 9 (73,279 points)
    Applications
    Mar 17, 2015 1:41 PM in response to simplnsweet

    Hi,

     

    Are you sure it is the iCloud password it is asking for and not the Login Password ?

    If you have set the System Preferences > Users and Groups to allow the Apple ID to change the Password it might be that.

     

    In Messages once it is logged in to the iMessages Servers and you then use the Details Button you have to Login again (Apple ID in use in iMessages and the password for that ID).

     

    It is common practice fro any password box that has been pre-filled (the computer knows what it is ) then only 8 *s will show no matter how long the password is.

    To get here I have had to use my Apple ID password of 13 characters and I see this

    Details2.png

     

    In Keychain Access (which you appear to have found) use the menu for the App and select Preferences.

    In here then select the First Aid tab.

    Check the Synchronised item is ticked

    Sync.png

     

    This makes sure the Login (to the Mac User Account) password matches the Keychain password which then means it is open for apps to use.

     

    Most items are simple records of the passwords needed in some apps.

    In some cases they involve Certificates - such As logging in to servers that use SSL as well.

     

    Some use some fact about the Mac and a password to create Auth Tokens.

    Google uses these as does the iMessages servers.

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:41 pm      Tuesday; March 17, 2015

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     Couple of iPhones and an iPad
  • by simplnsweet,

    simplnsweet simplnsweet Mar 19, 2015 10:13 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 19, 2015 10:13 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    thanks Ralph. I did find the synch box and checked it off. I think that helped with the iMessage problem.  THANKS!!!!!  On the note

    I still get the pop up after I login to my computer. Here is the box that comes up

    once i enter my password, it pops up again and I do it again. then the box disappears If i just click cancel it appears again and then I click cancel and the box disappears.I don't notice any changes.Screen Shot 2015-03-19 at 9.57.11 AM.pngany ideas of what is going on here?  I can't tell you how much appreciate you taking the time to help me so far. 

  • by simplnsweet,

    simplnsweet simplnsweet Mar 20, 2015 5:51 AM in response to simplnsweet
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 20, 2015 5:51 AM in response to simplnsweet

    Hi again,  hmm, ok, so i thought you advice helped get rid of my iMessage problem of always having to go to iMessages preferences and activate iMessages by login in with my password but instead.... the pop up above asking for my iCloud password no longer shows up but the problem with iMessages still exists.   Is iMessage connected to FaceTime?   If i go to my keychain folder  I can see this.  I do not see the same for iMessage even though it was iMessage that i signed into  and not FaceTime.

     

    Screen Shot 2015-03-20 at 5.42.08 AM.png

     

    a more complete view of what comes up is here: Screen Shot 2015-03-20 at 5.49.22 AM.png

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Mar 20, 2015 1:15 PM in response to simplnsweet
    Level 9 (73,279 points)
    Applications
    Mar 20, 2015 1:15 PM in response to simplnsweet

    Hi,

     

    Sorry for missing a day  (works annual "do").

     

    FaceTime is not connected to Messages in the Keychain.

    They are connected in the sense that both use a support App called IMAgent to help with the Logins.

     

    IMAgent runs from computer start up and in the background.

    It's job at this time is to "listen" to the servers involved for new calls.

     

    In Messages this could be for AIM accounts, Jabber, Yahoo and iMessages Logins.

    Any new messages from any of these Servers will start up the app.

    It does the same for FaceTime although here it is only the FaceTime server.

     

    The Second pic has a item that reads IDS: jennifer.... -Auth Token that is your Apple ID.

    This is created from your Password and the Serial Number of the Mac.

    If you delete this (when the Messages app is Quit) and then restart Messages it should be recreated.

     

    I would first Sign Out in Messages of the iMessages account.

    I would then go to ~/Library/Preferences and delete the com.apple.ids.service.com.apple.madrid.plist item

    (In the Finder use th Go Menu whilst holding down the ALT key and select the Library that appears in the Menu then navigate to Preferences and Drag the file to the Trash.)

    Then  delete the Keychain Item  followed by restarting Messages and Adding back your Apple ID.

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:15 pm      Friday; March 20, 2015

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     Couple of iPhones and an iPad
  • by simplnsweet,

    simplnsweet simplnsweet Mar 24, 2015 1:03 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 24, 2015 1:03 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Hi Ralph, thanks for taking the time to help me out here. I believe I followed your directions and still get the same pop upx2 asking for my iCloud password and the problem with my  imessager.  The reason I asked about FaceTime is when I activate my iMessages in order to get online, I get this message on my iPhone: IMG_2041.PNG

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Mar 24, 2015 2:37 PM in response to simplnsweet
    Level 9 (73,279 points)
    Applications
    Mar 24, 2015 2:37 PM in response to simplnsweet

    Hi,

     

    Those Pop ups appear in both FaceTime and Messages for the iMessages account  on all devices when you set them up in the first place and sometimes again if you have not used one for a while (I always get a  FaceTime one on my iPhone when I use the Mac versions as the Mac version is Off most of the time).

     

    The normal process for iMessages is to Set the Apple ID on the Mac (in Messages).

    Then Enable the iPhone Number  by enabling the App on the iPhone.

    Once this has Verified  (the iPhone Number) I would test from the iPhone Number (the only "ID" the iPhone has to the Apple ID (The only ID the Mac has).

    Then you can answer from the Apple ID (Mac) to the iPhone to confirm it can Send and Receive.

    Then you add the Apple ID to the iPhone > Settings > Messages and this links the Apple ID to the iPhone Number.

    This makes the Pop ups appear on the Mac end saying what the iPhone Is using.

    Accepting the Pop ups adds the iPhone number to the Receive At list on the Mac version and create/shows the "Start Conversations From" drop down.

     

    In Messages if you are using your iMessages account and are in a Conversation with someone and use the Details option top right then the Video and Audio choices will Invoke the FaceTime App like it does on the iPhone.

    This is the only real link there is between the two apps.

    For this reason it pays to use the Same Apple ID otherwise your Contacts could get confused by FaceTime inviting them with a different ID

     

    Back to the Keychain/iCloud asking for the password all the time.

    In System Preferences > iCloud try deselecting the iCloud keychain Item.

    Restart the Mac.

     

    Does this stop the constant Pop up ?

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:37 pm      Tuesday; March 24, 2015

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     Couple of iPhones and an iPad
  • by simplnsweet,

    simplnsweet simplnsweet Apr 6, 2015 6:05 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 6, 2015 6:05 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Hi Ralph and Happy Easter. 

    sorry I have not replied sooner but I am own now with my almost 12 month old little man for the last week.  For the most part I have not been annoyed by my computer problems as i often forget to turn off my computer.  I remembered last night and so I was reminded that I need to read what you last suggested.  I have turned off my iCloud keychain and I will see what happens once I restart my computer, that is if my little man does not wake. Geez, looks like he is and it is only 6 am.   As for the iMessage. I will try to go through the steps you mentioned.   Could it be that every time I have to "sign in" with my apple ID to activate iMessages on my Mac that it is like i am setting up my mac to use iMessages with my phone ?   hence the pop up on my phone? I have to do this every time on my Mac if I want to use my iMessage on my mac .   When I have some time hopefully tonight, I can sit down and test out what you mentioned to try. 

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Apr 6, 2015 11:52 AM in response to simplnsweet
    Level 9 (73,279 points)
    Applications
    Apr 6, 2015 11:52 AM in response to simplnsweet

    Hi,

     

    Yes a little one can be wearing during those first few months when they don't sleep through the night.

     

    The app should be able to Launch without asking for the Password every time.

    The iCloud Keychain should also login  (if ON in the System Preferences) without any issue.

     

    Whilst the word Keychain is used in both bits that are separate functions.

    The iCloud version is explained here Frequently asked questions about iCloud Keychain - Apple Support

     

    The Keychain on the Mac can be accessed in Applications/Utilities in the Keychain Access App.

    In the KeyChain Access Menu is Preferences just like most other apps.

    One of the Check Boxes makes the Login Password (for the Mac User Account) to synchronize the Password to the Keychain.

    if they are not Synced then you can get alerts asking you to allow access each time an app is opened.

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:52 pm      Monday; April 6, 2015

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     Couple of iPhones and an iPad