Read and Unread iMessages Not Syncing with Devices

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Level 1

8 points

Read and Unread iMessages Not Syncing with Devices

Everything is current with the latest iOS & OS (iPhone 12 Pro, Watch 6, iPad, Macbook Pro Monteray 12.3.1 etc...) Every device reads a different "unread message count" (red dot number) in iMessage. How do I resolve this automatically?

• If I go to Messages > Preferences > @ iMessage > Uncheck "Enable Messages in iCloud" ... I tried "disable on this device" and it does nothing.

• If I choose "disable on ALL devices" will I lose messages on one or more of my devices?

I don't know how to get all my devices to sync and correctly display the same read vs. unread count... (without MANUALLY tapping each.) Sadly Apple has not created a "sort by unread" or "mark all as read" option with messages app yet...

Anyone else have this issue or better yet, had this issue but has a resolution?

MacBook Pro

Posted on May 11, 2022 9:33 AM

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Answer 1

UTBadger

Community Specialist

May 12, 2022 10:38 AM in response to Stingo81

Hey Stingo81,

We'd be happy to help out. Sounds like you're noticing different read and unread message counts on your devices.

Disabling Messages in iCloud would actually have the opposite effect of what you're wanting so we wouldn't recommend disabling this as this will ensure your Messages app is not in sync across your devices.

Disabling this feature on your devices won't delete your messages, but will prevent them from syncing with iCloud so you'd want to backup instead to ensure they're stored safely moving forward.

Also, it's not unexpected for messages read on your iPhone for instance to still be shown as unread on your Apple Watch. If you'd like to provide feedback, you can do so here: Product Feedback - Apple

As for more info on Messages in iCloud, which is the best way to keep things in sync, check out: Use Messages in iCloud - Apple Support

Take care!

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Answer 2

Stingo81 Author

Level 1

8 points

May 12, 2022 7:08 PM in response to UTBadger

Messages in iCloud are ENABLED on ALL my devices. All my devices show different unread message count. The link you shared just tells me where to turn disable/enable "cloud messages" on my MacBook & iPhone.

It does not tell me how what to do to get them ALL synchronized (as ALL devices are currently out-of-sync)

What should I do to get them ALL to be synchronized (step-by-step) when starting with the point that ALL devices have iCloud Messages ENABLED ALREADY.

Thank you!

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Answer 3

Jaym_8

Community Specialist

May 12, 2022 7:23 PM in response to Stingo81

Hello Stingo81,

Thanks for sharing those additional details. So if you already have the Messages in iCloud option enabled on all your devices but it is not working properly, you'd want to contact Apple for assistance: Get Support

Cheers!

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Read and Unread iMessages Not Syncing with Devices

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