Mac OS X 11.6 (El Capitan) messages app won't authenticate my apple ID

Question

Mac OS X 11.6 (El Capitan) messages app won't authenticate my apple ID

I have OS X El Capitan on an old Mac Pro desktop (2009). When I open the messages app to send a message, I get an authentication error after a moment. The message is "An error occurred during authentication." I have double checked that I am logged into my Apple ID account (icloud/itunes) and that is correct. Very frustrating. I even tried logging into my iCloud account using a secondary email address (the one that uses the iCloud.com domain) and it looks like it is logging in and shows me some account options and then abruptly switched to the attached error message.

I tried the troubleshooting suggestions in the Apple support article until it got to the Wifi analysis because I think that the wifi is fine. Works for all my other devices (messages work there too).

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

Current Pro Desktops

Posted on Jul 13, 2019 4:44 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Eric Root

Level 10

685,245 points

Jul 13, 2019 6:56 PM in response to avatarsound11

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.

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Answer 2

Jul 13, 2019 10:08 PM in response to Eric Root

Eric,

Thanks for the ideas. I think my Apple ID is okay because I can use it to message perfectly on my new MacBook Pro. I think it may be the old Mac Pro OS. Still, I will try having another person attempt to message on the old Mac as you suggested.

I may also try a new User account on the thing to see if it is something to do with my user account.

Thanks! This community is the best.

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

685,245 points

Jul 14, 2019 8:53 AM in response to avatarsound11

You are welcome. Good luck.

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Mac OS X 11.6 (El Capitan) messages app won't authenticate my apple ID

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