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Q: Deleting texts using iMessage does not sync all devices

I keep deleting texts on different devices (iPhone 5, New iPad and Desktop) only to find that after, they are not being deleted on all of my devices.  I have so many conversations that I want to get rid of and they don't sync. I am totally update on all software.  Is there a way to do this?  All devices have the same addresses and same default for "start messages from"

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7

Posted on Feb 21, 2013 11:19 AM

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Q: Deleting texts using iMessage does not sync all devices

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  • Helpful answers

  • by cbs20,Solvedanswer

    cbs20 cbs20 Feb 21, 2013 12:41 PM in response to podisc
    Level 4 (2,785 points)
    Feb 21, 2013 12:41 PM in response to podisc

    Your messaging is working as it was designed. Deleting messages and conversations has to be done on each individual device that is how Apple has created their iMessage service.

  • by podisc,

    podisc podisc Feb 21, 2013 1:13 PM in response to cbs20
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iCloud
    Feb 21, 2013 1:13 PM in response to cbs20

    So it seems silly that it is synced thru the Cloud doesn't it?  Messages show up in all devices so why don't they delete as well?

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),Helpful

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Feb 22, 2013 1:40 PM in response to podisc
    Level 9 (72,994 points)
    Applications
    Feb 22, 2013 1:40 PM in response to podisc

    Hi,

     

    Your Contacts can be Synced through iCloud so that the name on your iPhone matches the one in the Mac version of Messages.

     

    The iMessages server is separate from iCloud

    The Apple ID you use does not have to be your iCloud one.

     

    The iMessages are not synced via iCloud.

     

    Syncing in this case is "Display on All devices" and not some sort of "Keep actions with the iMessage across all devices".

    Mostly this enables the Mac to store Versions of Chats you don't have room for on your iPhone.

     

    You are welcome to give Feedback http://www.apple.com/feedback/ichat.html

    I link to the iChat page as Messages (Mac) is built on the iChat engine (to the extent the version numbers follow on)

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png
    9:40 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

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Mar 16, 2013 2:42 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 9 (72,994 points)
    Applications
    Mar 16, 2013 2:42 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    4thanx.gif  for the Points 1helpful.png

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png
    9:42 PM      Saturday; March 16, 2013

     

      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

  • by randynchicago,

    randynchicago randynchicago Aug 12, 2015 7:26 AM in response to cbs20
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Aug 12, 2015 7:26 AM in response to cbs20

    If all devices sync for new text messages, then why on earth can't they sync when deleted?  Its irritating to have to delete messages from iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Mac Mini.

     

    Use this form to request that Apple make deleting messages sync between devices in Messages.
    http://www.apple.com/feedback/messages.html

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Aug 12, 2015 2:19 PM in response to randynchicago
    Level 9 (72,994 points)
    Applications
    Aug 12, 2015 2:19 PM in response to randynchicago

    Hi,

     

    Basically iMessages are shoved at the devices (the actual term is Pushed).

     

    An iMessages is "copied" for each individual device that you have logged in and the "copies" are sent uniquely to each.

    There is no cross over between them.

    An iPhone can be shut down, SIM Removed  and the server will keep trying until the device is back on line again irrespective if  it has also been sent already to a Mac.

     

    They are not "Fetched" like an email is from the server.

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    10:19 p.m.      Wednesday; August 12, 2015

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 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
  • by wendoggie,

    wendoggie wendoggie Mar 3, 2016 9:58 AM in response to podisc
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 3, 2016 9:58 AM in response to podisc

    Is the issue of not being able to manage messages across all devices new? Until recently if you deleted a message off the Iphone it would also delete off the Ipad. Now it's not working. I have spent hours searching for answers. This is a flaw that needs to be corrected.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Mar 3, 2016 12:52 PM in response to wendoggie
    Level 9 (72,994 points)
    Applications
    Mar 3, 2016 12:52 PM in response to wendoggie

    Hi,

     

    In my experience each device is standalone in this regard and that the "sync" is only "Display on All devices"

     

    Effectively the iMessages servers "copy" the iMessages for as many devices as you have registered.

    iMessages are constantly pushed at the devices until they accept.

    One device may therefore accept before another.

    As each device logs in using it's Serial Number in conjunction with the iPhone Number or Apple ID and Password iMessages can only be sent/pushed to that device.

     

    That said I do find that my Mac does not always show me items that were a conversation on my iPhone when I turn it On.

    I.e it look like items are already "deleted" when in fact they have never arrived.

     

    In fact for me they are not always in order.

    Screen Shot 2016-03-03 at 20.44.46.png

    I iMessaged my wife at 7 minutes past 4 yesterday but her reply at 4.31 (just at the top and cut off) show "first".

     

    I find the system is not always as smooth as it should be with no  real clues as to why this is.

    This page does not show any light either http://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/

     

    The Push system is not like the Fetch system that the Mail app uses.

    Items are sent to individual items and are not linked to each other.

     

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:52 pm      Thursday; March 3, 2016

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 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
  • by shinjodenn,

    shinjodenn shinjodenn May 3, 2016 3:40 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 3, 2016 3:40 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    I can remember a day when message deletions on the iphone or mac were synchronized.

     

    I don't understand why this has changed and definitely do not like that it has changed.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 3, 2016 1:35 PM in response to shinjodenn
    Level 9 (72,994 points)
    Applications
    May 3, 2016 1:35 PM in response to shinjodenn

    Hi,

     

    I must admit I don't remember my version ever working like that.

    The Mavericks iMessages article Messages (Mavericks): What is iMessage? does not say.

    This also does not say one way or the other https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMessage

     

    I also used this search but it would not get past page 11 (or 40) and is not that specific about Messages and iMessages.

     

    The Messages Help option is not clear and does not even seem to mention syncing with other devices.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:35 pm      Tuesday; May 3, 2016

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     iPhone and an iPad (2)