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Messages is not syncing across my devices

I mostly use my iPhone and iPad for Messages. I just opened my iMac and found that Messages is not syncing, and I have a ton of old messages on the mac that were long ago deleted on the iPhone and/or iPad.


iMac 21.5", OS Ventura 13.1

iPad 6th gen, OS 16.6.1

iPhone OS 16.3.1

iPhone 13 mini, iOS 16

Posted on Feb 16, 2023 6:50 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 19, 2023 4:06 PM

Thanks again! Interesting findings; Messages in iCloud is enabled on my iPad and iPhone. However, there's no mention of Messages when I open the iCloud settings on my iMac?! But Messages is enabled for iCloud in its settings—please refer to to the attached screen caps for more info.


[Image Edited by Moderator to Remove Personal Information]

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 19, 2023 4:06 PM in response to ColleenD1

Thanks again! Interesting findings; Messages in iCloud is enabled on my iPad and iPhone. However, there's no mention of Messages when I open the iCloud settings on my iMac?! But Messages is enabled for iCloud in its settings—please refer to to the attached screen caps for more info.


[Image Edited by Moderator to Remove Personal Information]

Feb 18, 2023 4:25 PM in response to missmick1

Hi missmick1,


Thanks for contacting Apple Support Communities!


We understand that your Messages app isn't syncing from your iPhone to your iMac, correct?


Are you signed in on all devices with the same Apple ID?


Are all devices connected to either a cellular or Wi-Fi network?


On your iPhone, do you have your Mac enabled in Text Message Forwarding? You can go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding to check.


You can learn more about setting up Text Message Forwarding here: Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support

  1. "Make sure that you're signed in to iMessage with the same Apple ID on each device:
    • iPhone or iPad: Check the Apple ID shown in Settings > Messages > Send & Receive.
    • Mac: Open the Messages app, choose Messages > Settings (or Preferences), then click iMessage. Check the Apple ID shown.
  1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding.
  2. If you don't see Text Message Forwarding, go to Settings > Messages. Turn off iMessage, then turn it back on. Tap Send & Receive, tap Use Your Apple ID for iMessage, then sign in with the same Apple ID used on your other devices.
  3. Choose which devices can send and receive text messages from your iPhone:

The Text Message Forwarding settting on iPhone


4. If you choose a device that isn't using two-factor authentication for your Apple ID, a verification code appears on each of your other devices: enter that code on your iPhone.

As long as your iPhone is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network, new SMS/MMS texts can be sent and received on the devices that you added."


We look forward to your reply.


Cheers!


Feb 19, 2023 1:01 PM in response to missmick1

Hi missmick1,


Thanks for the update. Do you notice if this issue is isolated to iMessages, SMS text messages, or both? Depending on your answer, our steps to help may change.


In the meantime, let's check another setting on your devices. We're curious to know if you have Messages in iCloud enabled on all your devices. This can help keep your messages updated across devices this way: Keep your messages up to date with iCloud - Apple Support


If you're interested in seeing that up, this resource can walk you setups on through both your iOS devices and your Mac. Set up iCloud for Messages on all your devices - Apple Support


Set up iCloud for Messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
1. On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
2. Do one of the following:
* iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or later: Tap Show All, tap Messages, then turn on Sync this [device].
The Messages screen in iCloud settings. Sync this iPhone is turned on.
* iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or earlier: Turn on Messages.
Any messages currently stored in iCloud are now accessible on your device, and any new messages you receive on your device will be stored in iCloud.
3. To make sure you can see your messages on all your devices, also check the following:
* iMessage account: On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Make sure that you’re signed in to iMessage with the same Apple ID. You can choose which email addresses and phone numbers you want to send and receive messages from on each device.
* Text message forwarding: If you want to receive SMS and MMS messages on all your devices, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding on your iPhone. Turn on text message forwarding for each device. For more information, see the Apple Support article How to forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your iPad, iPod touch or Mac.
4. To see messages stored in iCloud, open the Messages app.

For more information on how to use Messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, see any of the following:
* iPhone User Guide: Send and receive messages on iPhone and Collaborate on projects with Messages on iPhone
* iPad User Guide: Send and receive messages on iPad and Collaborate on projects with Messages on iPad
* iPod touch User Guide (iOS 15 or earlier): Send and receive text messages on iPod touch

Set up iCloud for Messages on your Mac
1. In the Messages app on your Mac, do one of the following:
* macOS Ventura: Choose Messages > Settings, click iMessage, then select Enable Messages in iCloud.
* macOS 12 or earlier: Choose Messages > Preferences, click iMessage, then select Enable Messages in iCloud.
2. Select which email addresses and phone numbers you want to send and receive messages from on your Mac.
Any messages currently stored in iCloud are now accessible on your Mac, and any new messages you receive on your Mac will be stored in iCloud.
Note: If you want to see SMS and MMS messages on your Mac, see the Apple Support article How to forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your iPad, iPod touch or Mac.
3. To see Messages stored in iCloud, open the Messages app.
Note: If you want to turn off Messages in iCloud on your Mac, deselect Enable Messages in iCloud. You can choose to disable Messages in iCloud for all your devices, or just your Mac.
For more information on how to use Messages on your Mac, see the Send a message on Mac.

Hope that helps.

Take care!

Messages is not syncing across my devices

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