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Level 1

15 points

iMessages fail to send

I know there are a ton of problems with iMessages, but I thought I'd put this one in as Googling the console error gets me nothing.

If I dont send a message for a while. The first message that I send always fails. Re-trying to send the message will work and I'll be fine again until I leave messages alone for a while and then it starts over. Also, when in this mode, I receive no messages either. It seems I have to 'wake it up' and re-establish a connection all the time to send or recive. I've reported it to Apple, but wondered if anyone here could help.....?

I get the following errors in my console.

22/09/2012 21:40:26.407 Messages[340]: [Warning] Updating typing guid on IMMessage from xxxxxxxxxx to xxxxxxxxxxxx

22/09/2012 21:40:48.071 imagent[296]: [Warning] FTMessageDelivery failed! Error (APSErrorDomain:2): Server rejected message as invalid (null)

22/09/2012 21:40:48.249 imagent[296]: [Warning] FTMessageDelivery failed! Error (APSErrorDomain:2): Server rejected message as invalid (null)

22/09/2012 21:40:50.988 Messages[340]: [Warning] -[ChatTranscriptViewController _increaseResourceLoadCountForURL:] url called for url: ichat-resource://coreui/exclamation-pressed with nil _loadingIdentifiers

I've replaced the IDs with xxxxxxxxx for privacy.

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion, New 2011 model

Posted on Sep 22, 2012 1:49 PM

38 replies

Mar 1, 2013 2:39 PM in response to Rob Wheatley

Hi,

What I was hoping for was Boxes or Compact to work and Balloons not to.

It would then indicate a Reinstall (it used to be you could do iChat separately) as you can't drill down to the Balloons Plugin item on it's own.

What Font are you listing in Messages Menu > Preferences > Messages ?

I would try toggling it to something else.

Is there anything new in the Console listings ?

It is late where I am and it will be the usual while before I get back.

10:39 PM Friday; March 1, 2013

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

Mar 3, 2013 11:34 AM in response to Rob Wheatley

Hi Rob,

Myself and a chap called Nabil went through and systematically tested every part of our setup to see if we could isolate the issue (we changed the router, wired/wireless network, restarting into recovery mode, etc.) and we could not fix the issue.

However, I'm able to report that - having taken my laptop to work for the past month - every message goes through first time when I use the work internet (which is not Virgin Media), even after having not sent anything all morning.

My suspicion is that Virgin are running some traffic-control software which is interrupting the iMessage packets. Nabil noticed that it uses the FaceTime protocol so perhaps they are restricting this in an attempt to regulate everyones speed. Another interesting observation is that Nabil and I are both on the 30mb package, are you? It could be limited to this service, hence why the problem is not more widely acknowledged.

In an attempt to test this further, I started using a VPN at home in order to tunnel the messages past whatever Virgin are doing on their servers. Having done this for several weeks now, I can again report that the messages go through first time, every time so I believe that this confirms the problem.

What we can do about it, on the other hand, is a different issue entirely 🙂

Kind regards,

Joe

Mar 3, 2013 12:03 PM in response to BigJoeCool

HI,

It would be useful to know which "FaceTime" protocol you think iMessages in particular is using.

Apple have this Doc http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4245

Mostly it is talking about either of the iOS versions and mentions OS X 10.6 as you can install a version of FaceTime on there. (it should list OS X 10.7 and OS X 10.8 for the same reasons).

The 5223 ports seems to be the name register port where it checks that your Apple ID and iPhone number are "registered"

Port 443 seems to be the Login port.

The Ports between 16384 and 16403 will be to do with Video in FaceTime (they are the original Ports iChat used up to and including iChat 3)

As iMessages is Text only and FaceTime is Video only I would not expect the same protocols to be used.

As the Messages App can Video to Buddies (not Contacts) as it could with iChat I expect FaceTime's and Messages' Video and Audio Protocols to be similar.

8:03 PM Sunday; March 3, 2013

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

Rob Wheatley Author

Level 1

15 points

Mar 3, 2013 12:20 PM in response to BigJoeCool

Hi Joe,

I've had my suspicions that it's a network issue for a while. Facetime is extremely flaky on my network too. Not so much the call once it has been established, just the 'dialling' part. (My facetime doesn't tell me anyone is calling, but they hear the 'rigning tone' - or I dial out and I'm told it's ringing the other end, but it isn't - things like that). This is true for both iOS and Mac OS versions of facetime for me.

What are you VPNing out to? Have you just set something up yourself or are you using a service?

Have you tried contacting Virgin or going on their forums to see if anyone else has the problem? It may not be something they are doing deliberately and it's just a consequence of how they manage their network. My friend is on BT and has the same problem.

Rob.

Rob Wheatley Author

Level 1

15 points

Mar 3, 2013 12:28 PM in response to BigJoeCool

Forgot to say. Yes, I am 'sort of' on the 30Mb package. I originally signed up to 30 and had that for quite a while, but a few months ago they doubled it to 60Mb (for the **** of it).

I do (in a round about way) know people in Virgin Media's network operations. I could see what I can find out. They maybe unaware that they have a problem. I don't think they would deliberately target iMessages/Facetime, the % of bandwidth on that vs everything else must be tiny. Even if they didn't want people to be doing video chat, then Skype would be a much bigger target to go after. My assumption is that they have some odd management going on that skuppers iMessages and they aren't even aware. I've had these problems with both facetime and imessages since day 1 and my day 1 was very early on as I was a beta tester for both.

Mar 6, 2013 1:57 PM in response to BigJoeCool

I am also on VM but on the 120mb service and my mac, ipad and iphone are connected via wi-fi and i have no end of trouble with imessages on the mac but on the ios no issues, they even ping at the same time!

Mar 23, 2013 7:55 AM in response to Rob Wheatley

I read you reply to find imessage for MAC however I am using a PC. I went from a Kindle, to Nook and now I have an IPad Mini ) Iam truley in love) I am over 61+, I have I IPhone 4 and the new IPd mini, I can only receive a few imessages on my min, however I have had a hard time latley because they will not send or the send goes half way and stops. I woulde like to get all of them on my mini. Hope you can help

Mar 23, 2013 12:30 PM in response to Janice1543

HI,

So this is an iPad Mini without a Mac or an Phone ?

This Apple Document states which ports the two iOS versions of FaceTime and Messages use.

Quote.

Enable port forwarding on the following ports to use FaceTime and iMessage on a restricted network.

Ports
FaceTime
iMessage

80 (TCP) √ √

443 (TCP) √ √

3478 through 3497 (UDP) √ -

5223 (TCP) √ √

16384 through 16387 (UDP) √ -

16393 through 16402 (UDP) √ -

This Quote talks about one method of opening ports in the router's settings (Port Forwarding).

This lists the said ports in a table and points them to one IP (computer or device)

If your router has UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) I would use that as it allows for Multiple devices which is some cases may not always get the same IP from your network.

It also allows the apps involved to tell the router which ports to open.

Are you getting any sort of message/alert when the iMessages you are trying to send are stopped ?

7:30 PM Saturday; March 23, 2013

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.3)
 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

Mar 23, 2013 12:37 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Yes, I have a Iphone 4 but I will be getting rid of it for a phone with no data plan since I have the Mini I did not need both. I can only send messages to three of my contacts the rest I get a red ! and can't send.

Mar 23, 2013 12:40 PM in response to Janice1543

Hi Janice,

I'm not sure if you're aware of this but if your iPad is the WI-FI-only version then you will only be able to send iMessages to other people who also have an iPhone or iPad themselves...

Sorry you may be aware of this but I thought I'd mention it 🙂

Mar 23, 2013 12:50 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

My Mini is WiFi and 3G

Mar 23, 2013 12:51 PM in response to Janice1543

HI,

Are these three contacts iPhone Numbers or Apple IDs ?

i.e. does there appear to be a distinction between who you can iMessages and those you can't ?

Of course the device/Contact you are sending to has to be in a position to Receive.

If they are an iPhone that is Turned Off or in Airplane mode or is not connected to the 'Net in any way you will get a Red Exclamation mark. (even if their "Absence" from linking with the iMessages server is only temporary such as a poor signal area).

7:50 PM Saturday; March 23, 2013

Message was edited by: Ralph Johns (UK)

Mar 23, 2013 12:56 PM in response to BigJoeCool

Ok maybe that answers my question! Did not know that, thanks.

Mar 23, 2013 3:19 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

WOW Thanks for all of the good information saved me a trip to the Apple Store. I know why I can only get imessages from those I know that have an Iphone now.

Thanks again

Mar 23, 2013 3:56 PM in response to Janice1543

HI,

On an iPhone that has the Connection to the Carrier service as well as WiFi on occasions can send SMS Messages to "other phones".

If you iPad Mini does have 3G and a Cell Number as well then this should be able to send SMS when the person does not have an iPhone.

Of course if you only know their Apple ID you may not know whether they are using a Mac, An iPad without 3G or have just lost contact with the iMessages server or have just got their Mac truned Off on oaccasion.

10:56 PM Saturday; March 23, 2013

iMessages fail to send

Ports	FaceTime	iMessage
80 (TCP)	√	√
443 (TCP)	√	√
3478 through 3497 (UDP)	√	-
5223 (TCP)	√	√
16384 through 16387 (UDP)	√	-
16393 through 16402 (UDP)	√	-