onetruevu

Q: Can't reply to some group texts in iMessage on Macbook

Hey guys, I have a weird problem that I've noticed going on for a bit, just never bugged me enough until today to reach out for help.

In certain group messages (everyone has an iPhone in the group), the iMessage app on my Macbook Pro won't let me respond, like there's no bar to type in. Not really sure how to fix the problem because it only happens in some group messages.

 

Thanks for the help!

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013), OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Jun 7, 2016 5:34 PM

Close

Q: Can't reply to some group texts in iMessage on Macbook

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by JayB.,

    JayB. JayB. Jun 8, 2016 12:43 PM in response to onetruevu
    Community Specialists
    Jun 8, 2016 12:43 PM in response to onetruevu

    Hi onetruevu,

     

     

    Glad you reached out to Apple Discussions. Seems like you are having an issue with sending group messages to a specific group from your MBP's message app? Since it is occurring in a specific group, there may be an issue with an individual contact. If you’re sending a group message via iMessage, everyone in the group must have a phone number or have an email address registered with iMessage. If you have an iPhone with iOS 8, you can send a message as an SMS to group members who have a phone number, even those who aren’t registered with iMessage. 

    I would also try updating your OS X to the latest version using your App store as well as setting up SMS forwarding on your Mac. SMS forwarding allows you to send and receive text messages from a mobile number to your Message app on the Mac! Check out the link below for details about Group messages.

     

    Messages (El Capitan): Send a group message

     

    Doing the steps above should allow you to successfully send your group message. 

     

     

    Have a great one!

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Jun 8, 2016 1:34 PM in response to JayB.
    Level 9 (72,994 points)
    Applications
    Jun 8, 2016 1:34 PM in response to JayB.

    hi,

     

    This was fine up to here

     

    Glad you reached out to Apple Discussions. Seems like you are having an issue with sending group messages to a specific group from your MBP's message app? Since it is occurring in a specific group, there may be an issue with an individual contact.

     

     

    if the issue might be a Contact lest sort that out rather than suggesting  an  update.

     

    @onetruevu

    Hi,

    Try sending a iMessages to each person in the Group separately. (i.e Enter their Contact Details used in the group in to the "To" spot when starting a New Message)

    This should show, by turning the Contact red, which ones are "not Registered with iMessages"

     

    This can be caused by them deliberately signing out on the device most likely to receive the iMessages

    On an iPhone in Settings > Messages > Send and Receive the iPhone number can be come unticked (not Active) when it should not be, (it is greyed out so the suer Cannot do this but it has happened to me twice).

    If this has happened Sign Out of the Apple ID and then Shut the app down before restarting it.

    Wait for the Number to Verify before adding back the Apple ID and restarting Text Forwarding if it is being used.

     

    This:-

     

    If you have an iPhone with iOS 8, you can send a message as an SMS to group members who have a phone number, even those who aren’t registered with iMessage.

    might apply if in fact one Contact has moved to a non iPhone  but moved the number to the new phone.

    If that is the case they may need to do this https://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage

     

    The Community Specialists are supposed to wait 24 hours before picking up on Posts that have no replies.

    I read all iMessages/Messages items in Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite, EL Capitan as well as reading everything in the iChat community.

    99% of the time I manage to do that each day.

    If I have not replied it is usually because Linc Davis or Eric Root have started something that I don't feel I can add to.

     

    I would not bother with Updating.

    It rarely solves anything that is really to do with the Home Folder. (your stuff as opposed to the OS).

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:34 pm      Wednesday; June 8, 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 daley,

    daley daley Aug 12, 2016 5:16 PM in response to onetruevu
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 12, 2016 5:16 PM in response to onetruevu

    I just searched all over the web for an answer to this, and couldn't find an easy fix.  But I just figured out a solution! Turn off your iMessage, sent a regular text to anyone, and then turn it back on.  I think the problem will be fixed, and you'll be able to message the group again. 

  • by bilthuisjm,

    bilthuisjm bilthuisjm Aug 23, 2016 7:53 AM in response to daley
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 23, 2016 7:53 AM in response to daley

    This fixed the problem for me