sergiohorta

Q: iMessage not working from OS X

Hi,

Since i've made the 10.11.5 update, i can't send messages in iMessage. I'm able to receive them, to send thru SMS but on the iMessage ones, i get the exclamation mark.
Already tried to make logout and login, to use another email to send, but nothing works.
Does anyone have this same problem?
Thanks!

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch,Early 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on May 24, 2016 4:56 AM

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Q: iMessage not working from OS X

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  • by vanJorny,

    vanJorny vanJorny May 26, 2016 2:32 PM in response to vanJorny
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 26, 2016 2:32 PM in response to vanJorny

    By the way:

     

    [–]****_it_jeremy 1 point 20 days ago

     

    And as an update to my own update, last night, it inexplicably started to fully work once again. For the first time in months, I was able to activate SMS forwarding, and my MBP is finally able to send and receive messages, calls, and FaceTime chats. Moral of the story: if you get your logic board replaced, expect to wait up to half a year before you can use iMessage again.

     

    Is this true???

  • by sergiohorta,

    sergiohorta sergiohorta May 26, 2016 2:35 PM in response to sergiohorta
    Level 1 (6 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 26, 2016 2:35 PM in response to sergiohorta

    I simply didn't contact anyone, did nothing at my computer and today it started working... The only thing i did was create this post!

  • by rusky_26,

    rusky_26 rusky_26 May 26, 2016 3:47 PM in response to sergiohorta
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 26, 2016 3:47 PM in response to sergiohorta

    Was on the phone again with escalated support for 2 hours again last night. End result... we re-installed OS X. 10.11.5 full latest version installed from fresh download. Now FaceTime works again, however iMessage still doesn't work. They are now checking backend/server. The saga continues.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 27, 2016 11:27 AM in response to vanJorny
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    May 27, 2016 11:27 AM in response to vanJorny

    Hi,

     

    Many people comment that they log out of iCloud because they use the same ID in iMessages and and iCloud.

     

    I was saying that in fact there is no correlation other than the fact the ID is the same.

    There are several other Apple Services that are not linked to iCloud and therefore have no control/sync mechanism within the System Preferences> iCloud pane.


    So in this pane there is nothing to activate for iTunes, App Store, FaceTime or Messages, Developer (if you use it), Game Center, iBooks and so on.

    iCloud.png

     

    You will see the ID on the left ends in @me.com

     

    In the pic of the iMessages Accounts you will see this previous used pic show the account ends with a t - as in .net

    Alternatives.png

    An Apple Issued email ID can also be used as an AIM valid Screen Name

    Internet_Accounts.png

    This is the same iCloud ID as such an Account in System Preferences > Internet Accounts (and Not iCloud).

     

     

    I see you have also posted you are now working and that is good to hear.

    Thanks for letting us know.

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:27 pm      Friday; May 27, 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 Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 27, 2016 11:32 AM in response to sergiohorta
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    May 27, 2016 11:32 AM in response to sergiohorta

    Hi,

     

    Now that is interesting.

    It suggests someone is "watching" the Discussion Boards.

     

    More likely is that that Engineers have a better handle on this and have globally reset the iMessages Servers.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:32 pm      Friday; May 27, 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 vanJorny,

    vanJorny vanJorny May 27, 2016 11:40 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 27, 2016 11:40 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    I just cited another forum post ...

     

    "

     

    [–]****_it_jeremy 1 point 20 days ago

     

    And as an update to my own update, last night, it inexplicably started to fully work once again. For the first time in months, I was able to activate SMS forwarding, and my MBP is finally able to send and receive messages, calls, and FaceTime chats. Moral of the story: if you get your logic board replaced, expect to wait up to half a year before you can use iMessage again.

     

    "

     

    And wanted to know if this is a common problem with the logic board?

     

    Still not running.

     

    Have checked my iMessaages accounts panel, no telephone number or sth else. Just "inactive"


    Thanks

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 27, 2016 11:41 AM in response to rusky_26
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    May 27, 2016 11:41 AM in response to rusky_26

    Hi,

     

    The iMessages and FaceTime logins are devices specific as they also use the Serial Number of the device to verify it is "you".

     

    It is supposed to be a security feature so that it f your ID and password happen to have been stolen the servers will still not let the the attempt to login.

     

    Not having the Serial Number on the Logic/Mother board is one cause (normally after a repair)

    Migrating the Whole Mac User Account from one computer to another takes the "wrong" info across to the new computer.

     

    Separate from that is a small group of people who randomly get blocked and the iMessages server has to be reset for the use of your Apple ID for your specific Mac.

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:41 pm      Friday; May 27, 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 vanJorny,

    vanJorny vanJorny May 27, 2016 11:43 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 27, 2016 11:43 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    I see.

     

    How to reset the ID?

    Can you do this?

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 27, 2016 12:05 PM in response to vanJorny
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    May 27, 2016 12:05 PM in response to vanJorny

    Hi,

     

    The answer is a sort of yes and no.

     

    At the OS X 10.8.2 update Messages was updated to version 7.0.1 and this was the start of needing the Serial Number to be present.

    It is in System Info (or Profiler on earlier OS versions)

    Serial_Number.png

     

    On Older OS versions the About this Mac pane looked like this

    Serial_Number.png

    That line show the OS X version at first. The first Click show the Build number of the OS then it shows th Serial Number.

    Yosemite and El Capitan's About this Mac has it up front in the Overview tab

    Serail_Number.png

    So.

    In the case of repairs to the Logic/Mother board in can be forgotten and be somewhat common.

    Buying a refurbished Mac can also have this issue where you might not be aware of the Repair history to make it saleable.

     

    Back in Version 7.0.1  you would know you had the issue because you got this.

    Apple_ID_7_0_1.png

    At that time Apple Support Level 2 people would get right on it and Reset the server (once you had sorted the Serial Number).

     

    Since then it does not show this Error Alert message and there is no Customer Code number to look up.

     

    Of course people still have their Logic Boards replaced.

    Judging by Posts both Apple service people and other that do repairs forget to put the Serial Number back.

    Also from some posts it seems that attempts to put the Serial umber back is not always done correctly and the Mac then does not appear as a proper device in check lists.

    https://www.apple.com/uk/support/applecare/purchase/

     

    On the other hand if you compare the number of Macs sold to the number who report here the reporting number is, technically, small.

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:05 pm      Friday; May 27, 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 Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 27, 2016 12:59 PM in response to vanJorny
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    May 27, 2016 12:59 PM in response to vanJorny

    Hi,

     

    Only Apple Support can do that (And it can be a long and protracted process).


    Phone Apple Support (same as Apple Care).

    Level 1 Responders are Script led and you have to try and get past this.

    Explain you have and Apple ID issue (free to Fix).

     

    They will try to run the Script to see if it is Hardware or Software.

    You will probably have to cut them off and ask to speak to someone higher.

     

    Level 2s can still vary about what they know about this.

    They are still going to want to run tests an data gathering (Apple Know there is an issue and are trying to find the cause)

    They will try to get you to repeat things you have tried

    Serial Number

    NVRAM reset.

    Safe Boot.

    Trying same ID in a another Mac User Account.

     

    Unfortunately they now want to Update if you are not on the latest OS or Upgrade if you have not reach El Capitan (at time of writing)  or Reinstall.

    This will not work.  (Resist - it's not futile)

    The issue is that the iMessages server has taken a dislike to your Mac's use of the Apple ID used for iMessages.

    i.e. because of the Serial Number it is Device Specific.

     

    Ask them to Look at the server info.

    Back at OS X 10.8.2 they used to be able to this relatively easily.

     

    Insist they reset the server.

    At this point they may involve the engineers.

    Be polite but insist.  Apple should have enough data gathered by now and more is not going to help them really  (it's been 3 OS Version and various updates for goodness sake).

     

    You are likely to be told (judging form what people post when they do come back to say) that it will take "24 hours" but maybe working overnight.

     

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:58 pm      Friday; May 27, 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 vanJorny,

    vanJorny vanJorny May 27, 2016 3:59 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 27, 2016 3:59 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    I will try that tomorrow.

     

    You're a Apple-genius.

     

    You know a lot about that stuff, do you get paid for all your tricks and knowledge?

     

    Thanks again!

    Cornelius

  • by vanJorny,

    vanJorny vanJorny May 28, 2016 1:22 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 28, 2016 1:22 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Just phoned to the support team and my ID is in escalation mode now.

    In about 5 days it should work again, or they will get in touch with me.

     

    Fingers crossed!

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 28, 2016 12:44 PM in response to vanJorny
    Level 9 (73,166 points)
    Applications
    May 28, 2016 12:44 PM in response to vanJorny

    Hi,

     

    In fourteen years of posting year (with questions first) I have received a black t shirt with the white logo on the front and Apple Discussion on the back (then they changed the name to Apple Support Communities.

    More recently I received a leather and magnetic luggage tag.  The box was almost as good.  I don't think I will use this one as I think it would go missing as a collectors item.

     

    During the same time I have acquired a lot of info about iChat and the way it works.

    Like some I have suffered with the change to Messages.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:44 pm      Saturday; May 28, 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 vanJorny,

    vanJorny vanJorny Jun 2, 2016 1:12 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 2, 2016 1:12 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    So after their limit of one week in escalation mode my Facetime and iMessage is still not working.

     

    Whatever might cause the problem it brings me doubts about expensive Apple products... just not as perfect.

     

    I will call the support one last time.

     

    THANKS to you Ralph and have a nice weekend!

     

    Cornelius

  • by rusky_26,

    rusky_26 rusky_26 Jun 2, 2016 2:07 AM in response to vanJorny
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 2, 2016 2:07 AM in response to vanJorny

    Yeah mine has also been escalated again. We even installed a clean OS X on an external hard drive, booted the Mac off that, created a new user account and still exactly the same problem. iMessage just won't work. Waiting to hear back on what's next but really pointing to a server side issue.

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