Q: MacBook Pro iMessage isn't syncing with my iPhone
I'm really frustrated. I love having my MacBook Pro, especially being able to text everybody with it. Unfortunately, yesterday, names would show up on my Messages app on my laptop as red, and it says their numbers aren't registered with iMessage. I've had this happen before, though not caused by this specific scenario. I've tried restarting my laptop, restarting and resetting my iPhone, and turning off and then turning back on iMessage in settings on my iPhone. I searched the forums and they suggested going to Messages in Settings and turning off and turning on text message forwarding. I did this and on my iPhone a message pops up saying to enter the number that pops up on my laptop. Problem is, no numbers pop up on my laptop. I'm really frustrated and annoyed because I don't know how to fix this. Please help before I lose my sanity!
MacBook Pro
Posted on Jan 25, 2016 4:17 PM
Messages do not sync between devices like you would be able to sync Contacts between devices using iCloud. You can receive messages on different devices at the same time but if one device is offline you won't be able to sync messages received from one device to the device that was offline at the time.
iMessages and SMS messages are both services which use the Messages app but are different. iMessages is an Apple service used with your Apple ID and SMS is a service provided through your wireless carrier that uses your phone number. You can receive SMS messages through Text Message Forwarding from your iPhone to your Mac computer. The text message forwarding feature on the iPhone is for SMS, not iMessage. The verification code for enabling Text Message Forwarding should appear in the Messages app on your computer. If it does not, verify that iMessage is currently signed into. Open the Messages app on your computer then select Messages from the menu bar then Preferences. Select the Accounts tab then iMessage. If currently signed in, sign out then back in.
Text Message Forwarding is a feature of continuity, try these articles for additional help.
Get help using Continuity with your iOS device or your Mac - Apple Support
Use Continuity to connect your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac - Apple Support
Posted on Jan 29, 2016 11:11 PM