I have at least TWO threads for the same group chat. Why? Can I merge them?

Question

I have at least TWO threads for the same group chat. Why? Can I merge them?

I have iCloud messages turned on. I use messages from multiple devices, including iPad, phone, MacBook, iMac. Everything is always kept up to date. In Messages on all devices, I have one named group conversation in particular which for some reason has two distinct threads. The names are the same and the members are the same and in the same order. Is there a way to merge these? As it stands now, when I share anything from another application to this group chat, I have no idea which it will post to. I just shared 4 pictures from Photos on my MacBook and two posted to one thread and two posted to the other. I tried to look up this issue in Discussions and only see that this was an issue for people back in 2014.

Help!

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 17, 2019 12:04 AM

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Answer 1

Teddy_B

Community Specialist

Dec 20, 2019 7:09 AM in response to Linda Swenberg

Linda,

You can temporarily disable Messages in iCloud and and create your backup, then delete the message threads and start a new one. If all is well, then you are good to go. If not and the same thing happens, you can always restore the backup so you have your old messages back. This article will provide you with steps to disable message in iCloud:

Keep all your messages in iCloud - Apple Support

Regards.

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Answer 2

Dec 19, 2019 3:12 PM in response to ryane77

Everyone is using iMessage. I do use Messages in the cloud, so I guess I’m out of luck. The multiple groups show up on all my devices including my Macs on Catalina.

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Answer 3

ryane77

Community Specialist

Dec 19, 2019 2:59 PM in response to Linda Swenberg

Hello Linda Swenberg,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

I understand from your post that you have two threads that have the same contacts in them and would like to merge the conversations. Conversations cannot be merged. If you are not using Messages in iCloud, you could create a backup of your iPhone and then delete the two conversations. Create a new group chat and see if it splits the conversation. Sometimes group conversations are split if the other contacts are not using iMessage.

This article explains it in more detail:

Send a group message on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

This article will provide you with the steps to backup your iPhone:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Best Regards.

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I have at least TWO threads for the same group chat. Why? Can I merge them?

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