Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Can't add/delete imessage accounts in messages for Mountain Lion

I have been trying to find an answer to this problem. I downloaded the mountain lion upgrade and typed one of my apple IDs into the messages account page. Later in the day I realized that the apple ID I use on my phone for imessages was a different one.


I went to change the account in messages and I cannot find a way to do it. It will not let me delete the other apple ID and it will not let me add another imessage account.


Am I missing something? I didn't realize I was making a permanent decision when I logged into the imessage account on my macbook air.

MacBook Air (13-INCH, MID 2011), OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Jul 27, 2012 10:27 AM

Reply
30 replies

Jul 31, 2012 6:52 AM in response to Bonelaw

I found a solution that worked for me from another forum post. It is a bit deceiving of a way to logout.


Go into Messages> click the "Messages" drop-down> Preferences>


Then select you imessage account. Click the button "Account Details..." near the right hand of the box.


Even though it seems like you should enter a password at this point, look at the bottom right box, "Sign Out"


Easy once you realize you can sign out from the sign in screen. Hope this helps!

Jul 31, 2012 1:46 PM in response to blakkas

As blakkas says



User uploaded file
Uploaded with Skitch!
Then
User uploaded file
Uploaded with Skitch!

The Pane will then empty and allow you to type in another Apple ID.



User uploaded file
9:46 PM Tuesday; July 31, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"


 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Jul 31, 2012 1:48 PM in response to Bonelaw

Hi,


I did think blakkas' post said exactly that

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4146167?answerId=19107284022#19107284022



User uploaded file
9:48 PM Tuesday; July 31, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"


 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Aug 1, 2012 2:19 PM in response to baz-bolly

Hi,


It apparently cannot be deleted from the Messages App as an error of some sort has created this situation.


It can be deleted by deleting the correct .plist


In the Finder use the GO Menu

In here, hold down the ALT key to see the Library

Select it and open the Preferences

Find com.apple.imserviced.imessage.plist

Drag it to the Trash and restart Messages.





User uploaded file
10:19 PM Wednesday; August 1, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"


 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Aug 2, 2012 12:40 PM in response to baz-bolly

No problem.



User uploaded file
8:40 PM Thursday; August 2, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"


 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Lion 10.7.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Nov 10, 2012 9:09 AM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Ralph,


My iMessage account is logged in and enabled, but it does not show up in the Message window. I thought that deleting and then re-adding the account might work, but the "-" is Greyed out. As I have been keeping up with Mountain Lion updates, there is no longer a log out box on the Apple ID details pop-up as shown above.


I deleted com.apple.imservice.iMessage.plist but still cannot delete the non-working iMessage account.


Any ideas?


My iMessage is working on my MB Air, iPhone 5 and iPad2, but the issue is on my iMac. All Macs are on latest version of ML.

Nov 10, 2012 11:56 AM in response to dale sheets

Hi,


Since this thread started OS X 10.8.2 has been released.


In the iMessage Account pane in the Preferences some things have changed.

The Account Details button is now called Details and the Sign Out Button in on the main pane.

User uploaded file


Your iPhone Number now gets added to the Receiving IDs (if you allowed it at the iOS 6/OS X 10.8.2 update)


Also you can also state which ID or iPhone Number to "Send" the message from.


The "-" button at the bottom of the List will not work to delete the iMessages Account (Only Sign Out and removing it from Details (which allows a new or re-added name) does that.)


As a default window the Messages window shows you nothing in it's normal view (other than any Logged in Accounts (AIM, Jabber, Yahoo) that have separate Buddy lists.)

User uploaded file

The icon in the top Left pane creates a "New Message" and it then dispalys a blue icon top right

This Blue iCon gives access to Contacts (the Former Address Book) or Buddies

User uploaded file


The "Groups" item you can see are the ones you may have set up in the Contacts app.

Useful for setting up a group of iMessage people.


The Messages Menu > Accounts will tell you if the iMessages Account is Enabled (Other than the box on the Account pane).

User uploaded file



As you are saying that Apple ID is logged in for iMessages on other computers are you actually getting any sort of alert/error message ?



User uploaded file
7:56 PM Saturday; November 10, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"


 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Dec 12, 2013 11:41 AM in response to Scott 77

Hi,


User uploaded file

Note the Path Bar across the bottom.

Are you looking in the right Library.

Your ~/Library (in it's short form) is hidden.

Use the Finder > Go Menu and hold the ALT key down to see the Library option appear in the Menu.





User uploaded file
7:41 pm Thursday; December 12, 2013


 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Dec 13, 2013 12:44 PM in response to Scott 77

Hi,


In the pic with all the coloured text over it there is the Sign Out and Details Buttons.


If you use the Details Button first it lists your Apple ID and wants you to Add the Password.

This then enables you to view the Account info and also Manage the Apple ID account at Apple with another button click.


If you use the Sign Out Button the Apple ID is signed Out.

The Screen Changes but still list the Apple ID.

(If you do this recheck the Send From choice and the Receive At "Aliases" that have become active.)


I am saying that using the Sign Out button needs to be cleared of details about the Apple ID you want to remove.





User uploaded file
8:44 pm Friday; December 13, 2013


 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Can't add/delete imessage accounts in messages for Mountain Lion

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.