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iMessage NOT syncing across iPhone and MacBook Air

For some reason my iMessage just started not syncing to my MacBook Air. I can 'send' iMessages but not receive on my MacBook Air.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 19, 2021 8:57 AM

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5 replies
Question marked as Helpful

Apr 1, 2021 10:28 AM in response to ToddAfrica

I think I may have solved it.


iPhone>Setting>Messages>Switch OFF iMessage>Switch back on>Select Send & Receive Addresses

Mac>Message Preferrences>iMessage Tab> Sign Out/Sign In>Select where you can be reached at


After this I am able to initiate new Texts on iPhone and it syncs with Mac. Older messages have not synced. Crossing my fingers this continues to work.

Question marked as Helpful

Jan 21, 2021 5:49 AM in response to SnickZ.

Thank you, SnickZ, for taking the time to respond. Unfortunately, even following your suggestions, most importantly that both devices are signed into the same Apple ID, the two devices still do not appear to sync.


In short, iMessage seems to be working perfectly fine on my iPhone. I can send and receive messages from this device.


My challenge is that the messages SENT from and RECEIVED by my iPhone do not show up on my Messages app on my MacBook Air.


However, I CAN SEND messages from the Messages app on my MacBook Air and these show up on my iPhone but CANNOT RECEIVE messages/responses.


Does that bring any clarity?


Grateful for any help...

Question marked as Helpful

Jan 21, 2021 5:15 AM in response to ToddAfrica

Hi there, ToddAfrica.


It appears that messages on your iPhone aren't appearing on your MacBook Air. You're able to send iMessages, but you can't send SMS/MMS messages from your Mac, and we're glad to provide assistance.


How to forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your iPad, iPod touch or Mac - Apple Support -- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. On your Mac, open Messages and choose Messages > Preferences > iMessages. Make sure that both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID. Then, on your iPhone, go back one screen and check Text Message Forwarding to make sure your Mac has been selected. If it is, deselect your Mac and restart your iPhone. Once it's back to the Home screen, turn Text Message Forwarding back on for your Mac and test the issue.


Feel free to get back to us with any questions or problems you may have.


All the best.

Question marked as Helpful

Mar 24, 2021 4:03 PM in response to ToddAfrica

This is the fault of the latest update. I updated a few days ago (I’m always late to the party) and immediately after this update I couldn’t send texts with my iPad. After several days of resending, power cycling, going from one device to another, the issue persists. I got messages to/from one recipient to populate to both devices, but still not effortlessly and consistently like it was before the update.


One of the reasons I pay thousands more for Apple devices is ease of use, consistency, and admitting to and fixing what they know are their problems immediately, if not sooner.


Apple, take note and fix this problem! I shouldn’t have to change settings that weren’t broken before you fixed them!

118 replies
Question marked as Helpful

Jan 21, 2021 5:15 AM in response to ToddAfrica

Hi there, ToddAfrica.


It appears that messages on your iPhone aren't appearing on your MacBook Air. You're able to send iMessages, but you can't send SMS/MMS messages from your Mac, and we're glad to provide assistance.


How to forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your iPad, iPod touch or Mac - Apple Support -- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. On your Mac, open Messages and choose Messages > Preferences > iMessages. Make sure that both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID. Then, on your iPhone, go back one screen and check Text Message Forwarding to make sure your Mac has been selected. If it is, deselect your Mac and restart your iPhone. Once it's back to the Home screen, turn Text Message Forwarding back on for your Mac and test the issue.


Feel free to get back to us with any questions or problems you may have.


All the best.

Question marked as Helpful

Jan 21, 2021 5:49 AM in response to SnickZ.

Thank you, SnickZ, for taking the time to respond. Unfortunately, even following your suggestions, most importantly that both devices are signed into the same Apple ID, the two devices still do not appear to sync.


In short, iMessage seems to be working perfectly fine on my iPhone. I can send and receive messages from this device.


My challenge is that the messages SENT from and RECEIVED by my iPhone do not show up on my Messages app on my MacBook Air.


However, I CAN SEND messages from the Messages app on my MacBook Air and these show up on my iPhone but CANNOT RECEIVE messages/responses.


Does that bring any clarity?


Grateful for any help...

Question marked as Helpful

Mar 24, 2021 4:03 PM in response to ToddAfrica

This is the fault of the latest update. I updated a few days ago (I’m always late to the party) and immediately after this update I couldn’t send texts with my iPad. After several days of resending, power cycling, going from one device to another, the issue persists. I got messages to/from one recipient to populate to both devices, but still not effortlessly and consistently like it was before the update.


One of the reasons I pay thousands more for Apple devices is ease of use, consistency, and admitting to and fixing what they know are their problems immediately, if not sooner.


Apple, take note and fix this problem! I shouldn’t have to change settings that weren’t broken before you fixed them!

Question marked as Helpful

Apr 1, 2021 10:28 AM in response to ToddAfrica

I think I may have solved it.


iPhone>Setting>Messages>Switch OFF iMessage>Switch back on>Select Send & Receive Addresses

Mac>Message Preferrences>iMessage Tab> Sign Out/Sign In>Select where you can be reached at


After this I am able to initiate new Texts on iPhone and it syncs with Mac. Older messages have not synced. Crossing my fingers this continues to work.

iMessage NOT syncing across iPhone and MacBook Air

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