Not all of my text messages are showing up on my MacBook Air

Question

Level 1

15 points

Not all of my text messages are showing up on my MacBook Air

I just got a MacBook Air yesterday (2/16/2026). As I have been playing with it, I noticed that not all of my text messages show up on the Mac, some of the messages that do show, show just a phone number, not how the contact is saved in my phone (iPhone 13 Pro Max-I know I should upgrade but I still love this phone). Also, on my phone I have 6 pinned conversations but only four of those show on the Mac. I can not find certain text threads with certain people even by searching. THE MAIN reason I went with a Mac (first time Mac user) instead of a Windows like I have always used, was because it was supposed to sync all messages/contacts. I am pretty frustrated especially since I did do a chat with Apple Support & I tried her fix & then was told to update both phone & Mac, which I did. But did not work. Does anyone have anything to try that Apple Support may not have me do? Pretty upset I spent this much on a laptop that is not doing the one thing that I most wanted it to do. Please help as I am starting to regret this purchase already.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Messages not showing on MacBook

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 26.3

Posted on Feb 17, 2026 6:09 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 10

83,374 points

Feb 19, 2026 8:44 AM in response to cchoops273

We are not Apple so do not know what their support told you. However, for Messages from non-Apple devices to show on your new compuer, you must manually assign that ability FROM YOUR PHONE:

On you phone:

— Open Settings

— Do "Apps" and find Messages. Tap that.

— Scroll down to find this section:

Add your new Mac to the list. This Apple article has more information:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/102545

Remember, all your devices must be on the same Apple Account for this to work.

Reply

Answer 2

cchoops273 Author

Level 1

15 points

Feb 19, 2026 9:05 AM in response to Allan Jones

As I mentioned in my original post, I’m using an iPhone 13 Pro Max. I did try those suggestions since that’s also what Apple Support recommended. I updated both my phone and my MacBook, but unfortunately that didn’t resolve the issue. Both devices are signed into the same Apple ID, as I only have one account.

I was eventually able to figure it out—it turned out to be a setting in a different area that I didn’t realize existed. This is my first time using a Mac, and it wasn’t in any of the settings that were suggested to me by Apple Chat, which is why I reached out here. I was hoping to gather additional ideas to try or a setting that I was completely overlooking, from someone who has been using Macs for a while. Thankfully, I was able to find it on my own as it was a setting that I had not known where to find it. Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Reply

Answer 3

Allan Jones

Level 10

83,374 points

Feb 19, 2026 9:09 AM in response to cchoops273

Great outcome! Thanks for the follow-up.

it turned out to be a setting in a different area that I didn’t realize existed.

Can you post what the setting was, and whether it was on the Mac or the phone? That can help future users who come here looking for help.

Reply

Not all of my text messages are showing up on my MacBook Air

Similar questions