User profile for user: AppleAndAdvil
AppleAndAdvil Author
User level: Level 1
41 points

iMessage Sync Issues Post Sonoma 14.0 Update

I'm reaching out to address a technical issue I've encountered since updating to Sonoma 14.0, specifically related to iMessage functionality on the desktop.


iMessage Issue Description:

Post the Sonoma 14.0 update, I've observed a consistent problem with iMessage on my desktop. While messages are received on my iPhone or iPad, they are not syncing or appearing on my Mac. This has led to missed communications and a disjointed messaging experience.


Steps Taken:

  1. Ensured that all devices are logged into the same Apple ID.
  2. Checked iMessage settings on all devices to ensure they are correctly configured.
  3. Restarted all devices multiple times.
  4. Verified that the issue persists even when all devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  5. Tried accessing via multiple browsers.
  6. Cleared browser cache and tried private/incognito browsing modes.
  7. Reset my router to ensure it wasn't a connectivity issue.
  8. Used a VPN to see if the issue was location-specific.
  9. Logged out and restarted iMessage, then logged back in.
  10. Tried connecting to different Wi-Fi networks to rule out any specific network-related issues.


Engagement with Senior Advisors:

I've spent numerous hours liaising with Apple's senior advisors, hoping for a resolution. Despite the extensive troubleshooting and following all their recommended steps, the final suggestion was to run my device in safe mode and send in logs for further analysis. Regrettably, after providing the requested logs, I've yet to receive any feedback or resolution from Apple. This lack of follow-up, especially after investing so much time and effort, has been particularly disheartening.


Community Observations:

Upon researching, I've found that this isn't an isolated incident. Many users on Apple forums and community discussions have reported similar challenges with iMessage syncing post the Sonoma 14.0 update.


Beta Testers' Feedback:

What's more concerning is that some beta testers had highlighted these iMessage syncing issues during the testing phase of the Sonoma 14.0 update. This suggests a potential oversight in addressing known concerns before the public release.

I'm keen to understand if there are any known solutions or workarounds for this issue. Additionally, if there are any diagnostic steps or logs that I can provide to assist in resolving this, please let me know.

Thank you for your assistance and looking forward to a resolution.

Best regards,

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Oct 5, 2023 9:20 AM

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User profile for user: NobbyDog
NobbyDog
User level: Level 1
16 points

Posted on Apr 8, 2024 7:12 AM

*A Solution At Last!*

After a few weeks of nothing changing, even with the latest update to Sonoma, I was at my wits end. Even worse was that the synching issue had now hit my iCloud Drive and I was unable to access any of my files or anything within numbers and pages. Preview wouldn't work and then one by one my other programs such as Mail started to falter too. My iMac had become unusable. So I called Apple Support and spent from Friday to Sunday trying to get a solution. I even erased my HD and re installed Sonoma and a back up from my Time Machine and this still didn't solve the problem. However..........

I was finally put through to a senior Apple advisor. We created a new User Account on the iMac and transferred over all my important files and then added my Apple ID iCloud account and everything started to reappear and work correctly. iMessages appeared in Sync with my iOS devices and I could access iCloud Drive! There appeared to have been some kind of corruption within my original user account and it was only getting worse. Creating a new user account has completely changed everything back to a new working efficient iMac, in Sync with my iPad and iPhone. Just also to confirm that all those entries that have said just open up iCloud settings and hit the sync button etc etc that didn't work or show up for me, now do so and I can hit the SYNC button and it Sync almost straight away. SO..........

I would suggest you create a new USER profile and open yourself up in that and add your Apple ID / iCloud account to it, as you would your original user profile and test it and see that everything loads up and starts synching. If it does then copy across your important files and folders in Finder from your old user profile to the new one. Once you have completed all this just check again all is working fine. I was then advised to not delete the old user profile for a couple of weeks until I was happy I had everything I needed from the old profile before deleting it and getting rid of what ever was causing the corruption. We still didn't get to the bottom of what has caused all this in the first case but I now have a working, efficient and fast iMac, back fit for purpose. I hope this helps all those who like me, were starting to doubt my own sanity! Good luck !!


(PS you can't add a new user profile account with the same name as your original one, so you have to make sure it is different even if it is one letter or number different).


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User profile for user: MissPNixon
MissPNixon
User level: Level 1
18 points

Mar 27, 2024 6:05 AM in response to AppleAndAdvil

OMG! I'm so thankful I finally found the right thread to follow on this. And to the OP, thank you for so thoroughly detailing the issue and the steps you took to troubleshoot. For months I've been googling and trying to figure out what is causing this issue.


I also have Sonoma 14.4.1 on my MacBook Pro. On my iPad Pro and iPhone 8+, all my messages sync beautifully. But on my MacBook Pro, my outgoing VOICE messages (primarily recorded from my phone) just don't show up. I've checked every setting and yes, I'm logged into all with the same Apple ID.


My best friend and I go back and forth sometimes all day with just voice messages. If I'm on my MacBook, it looks like she's talking to herself. All I see is her side of the conversation. To see and hear my own outgoing voice messages, I'm forced to use my iPhone or iPad.


There's no problem with Giphys or regular text. It only seems to be outgoing voice messages that are affected.


Since I switched to the Apple-verse years ago, the best thing about it was the continuity between all devices. The only way for me to see an outgoing voice message is if I record the message from my MacBook. Like, that's hardly ever going to happen.


From the looks of this thread, it seems all I can do is wait to see if it's addressed/corrected in a future update.


Come on already, Apple. You know something's wrong!


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User profile for user: MissPNixon
MissPNixon
User level: Level 1
18 points

Mar 27, 2024 6:44 AM in response to MissPNixon

Also, another weird thing I've noticed regarding voice messages between iPhone, iPad and MacBook Pro.


When I scroll up through OLD voice messages I've sent, I do see prior voice messages on my MacBook. However, they've turned in CAF files instead of normal voice messages. Why would that even be happening?


If I click on the message, it turns back into a normal looking voice messages that I sent. This is driving me absolutely crazy. I give up. Apple needs to address. I'm only thankful I didn't invest in a newer phone thinking that would fix it.

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User profile for user: AVillone
AVillone
User level: Level 1
37 points

Mar 31, 2024 1:39 PM in response to AppleAndAdvil

Both iMessage and FaceTime require me to sign in my MacBook Pro 2019 recently updated to Sonoma 14.4.1 using my Apple ID. Neither will accept the Apple ID. This started about a week or so ago. I usually wait when a new operating system is released for the bugs to be identified and fixed on both the MacBook and my iPhone 11, iOS 17.4.1, also recently updated. Both iMessage and Facetime are working fine on the iPhone. iMessage on the MacBook came back for 2 days without me signing on, then reverted back to not working and not accepting the Apple ID when asking me to sign in. So, the Apple ID doesn't seem to be the issue. I'm no wiz but I know enough to try the obvious searches to try to uncover the reasons - restart, sign out sign in, run utilities, re-synced, restore defaults, look for omissions or problems with startup apps, checked wi-fi connections, checked phone carrier (ATT), etc. From what I see on this site, this is a variation related to the problems reported in this thread. I'm open to suggestions, but as I said, I'm no computer wiz, but this shouldn't be so hard considering everything was fine until a week ago. And I do have a work-around with the iPhone, but that's not a solution.


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User profile for user: jtnpylot
jtnpylot
User level: Level 1
10 points

Apr 18, 2024 9:49 AM in response to NobbyDog

Same problem since installing Sonoma....what's going on with Apple? Customer support seems to be significantly cratering and becoming too much 'like the other guys'. I worked at an Apple Retail store part time for about 3 years. Left during COVID, now 78 and taking it 'easy'. One of the absolutes at our store was "EXCEED CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS" whenever possible. This type of obviously known glitch dragging on and on is simply not worthy of Apple managers, developers, engineers and sales force. Maybe too much time devoted to autonomous EV cars and playing catch up with "AI'....neglecting current operational support will do corporate damage eventually beyond repair.....i.e. Boeing and Southwest Airlines! Failure to support existing products and the Apple 'eco' system will sink the company over time!!

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iMessage Sync Issues Post Sonoma 14.0 Update

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