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imessages don't work on mac

So, i used to be able to use messages on my mac but it stopped working a while ago and i haven't been able to use it. i have tried so many things and I realised today that it is because i only use my phone number for my imessages on my phone and not my apple id. I then tried to add my apple id but it didn't work and said - "an error occurred during activation". This is what also happened on my mac. My time zones are correct, my devices are up to date and i have no idea what to do. Please help! Thanks

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.14

Posted on Jun 26, 2019 4:34 PM

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Posted on Jun 26, 2019 5:22 PM

Messages - If you can‘t sign in to your iMessage account or FaceTime on your Mac


Message activation error


Have someone else attempt to sign in using their Apple ID. If they can successfully sign in and use Messages/FaceTime, it may be your Apple ID. Someone I know had this happen and I was able to sign in using my Apple ID. After a call to Apple Support and then being elevated to a tier 2 support person, it turned out it was a problem with their Apple ID. It took the software engineers 3-4 days to fix the problem. When calling Apple, make sure you tell them it is an Apple ID problem so you don't get charged.


You can also try signing in on another device/computer. There have been a couple of posts where people's device/computer was blocked. You will need to contact Apple for that problem also.


There is a contact link.


Apple ID Support


Apple ID Support (2) 


Apple Support by e-mail or chat         


Apple Support using Twitter


Or fill out and submit this form.

1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Jun 26, 2019 5:22 PM in response to rhiannon2303

Messages - If you can‘t sign in to your iMessage account or FaceTime on your Mac


Message activation error


Have someone else attempt to sign in using their Apple ID. If they can successfully sign in and use Messages/FaceTime, it may be your Apple ID. Someone I know had this happen and I was able to sign in using my Apple ID. After a call to Apple Support and then being elevated to a tier 2 support person, it turned out it was a problem with their Apple ID. It took the software engineers 3-4 days to fix the problem. When calling Apple, make sure you tell them it is an Apple ID problem so you don't get charged.


You can also try signing in on another device/computer. There have been a couple of posts where people's device/computer was blocked. You will need to contact Apple for that problem also.


There is a contact link.


Apple ID Support


Apple ID Support (2) 


Apple Support by e-mail or chat         


Apple Support using Twitter


Or fill out and submit this form.

imessages don't work on mac

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