Sort Order in Messages?

Question

Level 1

59 points

Sort Order in Messages?

Does someone know a method or workaround to correct the sort order of messages in the Messages app?

On my iOS devices, message order appears correctly—based on timestamp. In Messages for Mac (desktop), messages are sorted by some hidden criteria, then by timestamp.

Today I had a conversation that looked correct on iOS Messages:

her 2:09

me 2:11

her 2:13

me 2:15

me 2:17

her 2:56

me 2:56

me 3:00

her 4:00

her 4:14

me 4:15

But when that same conversation appears in the desktop version of Messages, they read in this order:

her 2:09

her 2:13

me 2:11

me 2:15

her 2:56

her 4:00

her 4:14

me 2:17

me 2:56

me 3:00

me 4:15

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Feb 20, 2013 10:57 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 22, 2013 1:04 PM in response to pdX

Hi,

The workaround at the moment is to restart Messages after the Sync has finished. (it normally involves the Sync process)

The Sync is not "Instant" and whilst it is playing out like a speeded up chat new iMessages are Instant and are then out of order.

It seems the Messages app cannot "sort" on the fly the time stamps that are clearly with each iMessages.

I suggest using the http://www.apple.com/feedback/ichat.html as Messages is built on the iChat engine.

There is a more generic spot other are suggesting http://www.apple.com/feedback/

9:04 PM Friday; February 22, 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

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Answer 2

pdX Author

Level 1

59 points

Feb 25, 2013 2:44 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Thanks Ralph, I read the suggestion about restarting Messages prior to writing this up, but it doesn't correct the sort order in my case, as well as others who've reported the issue. I left feedback in both locations. Thanks.

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Answer 3

Feb 26, 2013 11:59 AM in response to pdX

Hi,

Thanks for that Info.

I did think it was likely that sooner or later someone would post that their's were not being "sorted" by this method.

Thank you for leaving feedback.

I have nothing else at the moment.

7:59 PM Tuesday; February 26, 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

Reply