David Schwab

Q: Text Message forwarding, and iMessage not working on iMac

Hi everyone, here's a weird one... I have an early 2009 iMac, now running OS X 10.11.5, which had been in storage for a year. I also have an iPhone 6 Plus running iOS 9.3.2 (but this problem existed with the non beta OSs)

 

Back before my Mac was in storage, when I got a phone call you could answer it on the Mac, and I could send and receive iMessages and text messages from the Mac.

 

Since getting the Mac setup again, this no longer works. The Messages app on the iMac shows messages from a year ago. Then one day an iMessage appeared as I also got in on the phone. This happened for two people. Now those newer messages don't even show up. And my son's phone, which is an Android, can't be reached. Even though I see his old messages too. It says he can't be verified in iMessage. I do see iMessages in Notification Center though.

 

When I try to set up Text Message Forwarding from my iPhone, my iMac is on the list four times! If I select any of those, Messages launches on my iMac, and that's as far as I get. I never get the code or anything. Another weird thing is sometimes when my iPhone gets a call, iTunes launches and starts playing music!

 

I've tried signing out of iCloud on both devices, etc. The other thing is while my photos and music synch via iCloud, my iBooks on my iPhone no longer show up in iBooks on my Mac (most are PDFs I've saved), and my text shortcuts are also gone.

 

The iMac recently had the hard drive replaced, and restored from my Time Machine backup. This stuff didn't work before that either, but the iBooks were there.

 

I seem to remember the first time I got this working a few years ago I had to call Apple, and they unclogged something with iCloud...

 

I've read lots of suggestions; from resetting the network on the iPhone to renaming the devices...

IMG_9577.PNG

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4), 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 8GB, 1TB

Posted on Apr 20, 2016 12:38 PM

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Q: Text Message forwarding, and iMessage not working on iMac

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Apr 20, 2016 2:02 PM in response to David Schwab
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    Apr 20, 2016 2:02 PM in response to David Schwab

    Hi,

     

    I would tend to reset the Messages app on the iPhone from Scratch.

     

    Turn the Text Forwarding bit Off

    In Send and Receive Sign Out of the Apple ID.

    Put the iPhone in Airplane mode to break with the servers.

     

    take it out or Airplane Mode after a few mins.

    Turn On the Messages app and wait fro the Number to Verify again.

    Double check the settings for WiFi and make sure it is the same LAN as the Mac.

     

    Once the Number has verified send an iMessages to the Apple ID(specifically enter it).

    Reply from the Mac if it works.

    Add back the Apple ID to the iPhone in Messages > Send and Receive Settings.

     

    Now Restart the Text Forwarding.

    This should force the Code number to appear on the Mac (it is best to keep the App open to do this)

    Enter the said code back on the iPhone.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    10:02 pm      Wednesday; April 20, 2016

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     iPhone and an iPad (2)
  • by David Schwab,

    David Schwab David Schwab Apr 20, 2016 3:47 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (118 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 20, 2016 3:47 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Been there, done that. I figured I'd try it again using your exact instructions.

     

    So, if I send a message to myself from my phone, it appears on my phone. As you can see, I tried this before:

     

    FullSizeRender-2.jpg

     

    This time it doesn't show me sending it since I used a slightly different Apple ID email... they have the @icloud.com as my email, and also @mac.com, which is my Apple ID. As you can see, they show up on the phone, but not the iMac.

     

    I also got this notice on my iMac the I signed back into my Apple ID:

     

    Screenshot 2016-04-20 18.23.12.png

     

    So, I tried sending one from the iMac. I get this:

     

    Screenshot 2016-04-20 18.27.57.png

     

    So, I'm not registered with iMessage? This is my account!

     

    When turning Text Forwarding back on, I pick one of the iMacs in the list, and it launches Messages on the iMac, and that it. It never goes any farther.

     

    IMG_9581.png

     

    Both devices are on the same wi-fi network. I've done this dozens of times. I've also signed out everything from my Apple ID on my Mac... FaceTime, Messages, iCloud, iTunes, App Store... etc.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Apr 21, 2016 11:28 AM in response to David Schwab
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    Apr 21, 2016 11:28 AM in response to David Schwab

    Hi,

     

    My Apple ID is an  outside, as it were, email based on a dial up account I once had.

    When iCloud started I linked to iCloud and received and @me.com ID as well.

    Later Apple Issued @iCloud.com ID as well.

    All three (with the same Password) work in some places like logging in to the web page for iCloud or the Apple ID page.

     

    However in Messages fro the iMessages account the three (for me) can be regarded as separate entities.

    In fact as AIM valid Screen Name I use both the @mac.com and @iCloud.com as separate AIM names as well.

     

    In Messages I use the Original Apple ID (Dial Up email)

    In iCloud to sync I use the @me.com one.

     

    Therefore the ID you use on the iPhone to "call the Mac" should be precisely the same as the Mac is using.

     

    IF...

    When entering the Apple ID manually on the iPhone to be sure it has selected it - it goes on to Fail AND the Mac cannot send to the iPhone Number if manually typed in or specifically selected then we have to consider that the Mac is not logging in properly

     

    Step 1)

    In the Apple icon Menu top left select About this Mac

    In the Overview Tab you should be able to see the Serial Number of the Mac.

    (don't tell but confirm you can read it.)

     

    If it is not there take the computer to a Apple Store and have it put back. It can get missed if the Logic/Mother board is replaced.

     

    Try a NVRAM reset How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

    Try a Safe Boot as a separate thing.

     

    If you have not, create a separate Mac User account (System Preferences > Users and Groups) and set up Messages there for iMessages.

     

    If it has not worked by this stage the only course is to call Apple Support (Apple Care).

    You need to tell them you have an Apple ID issues that concerns your Mac's Use of the Apple ID with iMessages.

    The Level 1 responders are Script led and will try Apple Care fixes fro Software and Hardware issues (it is not this)

    Ask to speak to someone higher.

     

    Level 2 people my want to do some data gathering and so forth (IT seems Apple Still don't know what triggers this).

    Updating does not. Upgrading if you are not using the latest OS does not.

    Reinstalling does not work either.

    Insist they reset the server for your Mac to be able to use the Apple ID in iMessages.

     

    As each service has a different server you can be "locked out" of one service on one device.

    iMessages uses the Serial number in addition to your ID and Password which is how come it can be that specific.

     

    You are likely to be told it will take 24 hours to reset.

     

    Once it is done then the Mac should be able to iMessages anyone.

     

    Then the iPhone and Mac links can be set up again.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:28 pm      Thursday; April 21, 2016

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     iPhone and an iPad (2)
  • by David Schwab,

    David Schwab David Schwab Apr 21, 2016 11:42 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (118 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 21, 2016 11:42 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Ralph, those are all good suggestions, and I've tried them. I'm also an old timer with Macs, having used them since the early 90s in the graphics and music fields.

     

    My Apple ID is actually a .mac email I've had since iTools days. But they also assigned me a .me and .icloud email. All of those are in the account settings, as well as a outside email and my phone number. I've also tried removing some of those and replacing them.

     

    I made a new user account, and got the message saying a new Mac was added on my iPhone, but it never goes farther than that. I even tried my iPhone 5, which I still have (SIM was removed but it works over wi-fi).

     

    It's like the iMac can't talk to the iMessage server.

     

    I'll have to give Apple support a call.

     

    Thanks for your help.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Apr 22, 2016 1:01 PM in response to David Schwab
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    Apr 22, 2016 1:01 PM in response to David Schwab

    HI,

     

    If an iPhone number is registered and for some reason it looses that Number's contact with the server like loosing power for some time, not having carrier of wifi service or even, as I experienced, the Send and Receive item becoming unticked so it was not active - then the iPhone Number will become de-registered.

     

    In time this leads to the syncing not working.

     

    On an iPhone this can be hidden as the Apple ID will also show the sync versions of iMessages.

     

    I have no direct proof this is the same for Apple IDs but there is a sort of Fuzzy Logic to suggest it might be the case.

    Yours and another post have recently hinted this might be the case.

     

    I do believe only the Apple Sipport route is going to work for you now.

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:01 pm      Friday; April 22, 2016

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     iPhone and an iPad (2)
  • by David Schwab,

    David Schwab David Schwab Apr 22, 2016 4:18 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (118 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 22, 2016 4:18 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    I spent an hour and a half on the phone with a Mac Plus Senior Advisor. We tried setting up a test Apple ID to send an iMessage from my Mac... didn't work. Yet on a test user account I made on my Mac there were two messages received yesterday. And FaceTime works fine, but that's a different protocol.

     

    So this is ongoing at the moment... they are trying to figure out what's up.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Apr 23, 2016 11:39 AM in response to David Schwab
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    Apr 23, 2016 11:39 AM in response to David Schwab

    Humm,

     

    That does sound inconsistent.

     

    If the Serial Number is missing then any Mac User account or any Apple ID tried in Messages for iMessages will fail.

    An exception can be if the Mac User Account is migrated from another computer and therefore the Keychain will have the Serial Number (As part of the Auth Token) will mean that Mac User Account will not work.

    I am not sure how the Serial Number might be stored so that it effects any ID entered for iMessages for that Mac User Account.

     

    Another Mac User Account will read the Serial Number for itself.

     

    You could try deleting the IDS: yourAppelID-Auth Token from the Keychain.

    I would only do this if the Mac User Account has been Migrated.

    In Applications/Utilities open the Keychain Access app.

    Select Login top left and Passwords lower left  then look for the IDS item.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:39 pm      Saturday; April 23, 2016

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     iPhone and an iPad (2)
  • by David Schwab,

    David Schwab David Schwab Apr 23, 2016 4:26 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (118 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 23, 2016 4:26 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Keep in mind that this worked fine last year before the computer was put into storage. Nothing changed with my Apple ID since then. Other Apple ID related things work fine, iCloud Keychain, App Store, iTunes, Photos, etc.

     

    A probable symptom that something is amiss is the fact that my iMac shows up 4 times on my iPhone.

     

    I will hear back from them this week.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Apr 24, 2016 1:23 PM in response to David Schwab
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    Apr 24, 2016 1:23 PM in response to David Schwab

    Hi,

     

    If...

    The Same Mac is Upgraded then the OS can make the computer look like a "new" one.

    The same Mac User ID being migrated can also cause this.

    The Mac dropping off the iMessages server through inaction may also cause this.

     

    The name in the System Preferences > Sharing pane may always be the same.

    The first Account on the Mac is normally given Admin Status and is also the one that forms the name of the computer unless you change it.

    Hence the 3 computers I have turned On at any one time list which machine they are as well

    Screen Shot 2016-04-24 at 21.11.53.png

    That said the same Mac can appear when the Text Forwarding is not working properly.

    Presumably IP addresses on your LAN also make up part of the info about the Mac in question.

    It's more about how the iPhone "Sees" the Mac than whether it is actually a different machine.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:22 pm      Sunday; April 24, 2016

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     iPhone and an iPad (2)
  • by David Schwab,

    David Schwab David Schwab Apr 24, 2016 1:49 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (118 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2016 1:49 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Nothing had changed on this machine since it was put in storage. Messages worked fine last year. When I got it back, and set it up, and before I installed El Capitan, Messages was already broken. It was running Yosemite. The only difference was a new iPhone.

     

    The multiple names appearing in Text Massages Forwarding is the result of signing out of my Apple ID and back in again. Each time it added a new entry. Why? Who knows. Originally it was only in the list once. The machine's name in the sharing setting hasn't changed. It shows up in Find My Mac, etc.

     

    The only change was it was powered down for a year, and when started up again it wouldn't sync with iMessage, except for a couple of random messages.

     

    I've been using Macs since 1993, and I'm stumped on this one! The guy at Apple was too, but they are looking into it.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Apr 24, 2016 2:19 PM in response to David Schwab
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    Apr 24, 2016 2:19 PM in response to David Schwab

    Hi,

     

    I believe the extended power down has effectively cause your ID to be dropped at the iMessages server.

    This is based on your ID + password and the Serial Number of your Mac to be fully logged in.

     

    This means that your device is specifically logged in to iMessages independent of any other device using your Apple ID on any other device  (And also it's use in any other app)

     

    The Text Forwarding is difficult to pin down exactly as the Listing for the Computers or devices using the Forwarding relies on just showing you the one Name.

     

    We know from iTunes and App Store Logins that Logins over several Computers or one computer using different Boot versions can cause you to reach the 5 computer limit quite quickly.

    My list (It don't even have the iPhone 4s any more)

    Screen Shot 2016-04-24 at 22.12.01.png

     

    For Text Forwarding to hook up properly several things need to be in place.

    One iMessages needs to work on both iPhone and Mac

    The iPhone and Mac need to be using the same Apple ID  (changing the password and or the ID can make the name of the computer show again)

    The Mac and the iPhone need to be on the Same LAN. The Mac can be Ethernetted but the iPhone can only do it via WiFi.

     

    The only way I know to clear the list on the iPhone of the device it thinks it has been connected to or tied to connect is to turn that function Off and then reset it.

     

     

    I think you have a combo of things going on of which the first is the iMessages login of the Mac to sort out.

     

    It is late where I am and it will be a while before I am back

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    10:19 pm      Sunday; April 24, 2016

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     iPhone and an iPad (2)