how do i log out of messages?

Open the preferences in Messages and under account tab, select the iCloud account and uncheck the Enable box or sign out of the iCloud login.

Hi Glen,

In System Preferences > iCloud or Internet Accounts > iCloud there is no option to enable the ID for the Messages app.

i.e. the Apple ID in Messages does not have to be an iCloud one.

You can untick the "Enable this Account" Box for the iMessages account. (Messages > Preferences > Accounts)

You can also use the Sign Out button.

8:30 pm Sunday; December 29, 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

Hi,

In my second pic, does it say anything in the info about the account that it is "iCloud" ?

You register an Apple ID for the iMessages service.

The Servers are completely different for iCloud and iMessages.

Yes the Apple ID in use may well be linked to iCloud.

You may also use iCloud to sync the contacts across several devices but that is as close as it gets.

Irrespective if you are using the System Preferences or not the pics still show that it has no Messages or iMessages options for turning the account in the Messages app Off.

i.e. it further proves that iCloud has nothing to do with it.

(it also the same with FaceTime - it is separate from iCloud and iMessages on different servers)

8:55 pm Sunday; December 29, 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

HI,

This is the bit you are not getting.

Messaging and FaceTime use your iCloud Login (Apple ID) to log in.

It doers not have to be an iCloud linked Apple ID.

It only has to be an Apple ID.

It can be an iCloud linked one if you have no other but some people do have older Apple IDs that they did not use with MobileMe or .Mac before that and have not converted to Linking them to iCloud.

To say that it is "iCloud" is misinformation and that is what I am trying to make sure is understood.

I have little interest in whether you used the words correctly.

I am trying to make sure the way you use the words does not give people the wrong answer.

I agree with you that the Original Poster was talking about an iMessages account.

It is akin to telling people to put the wrong fuel in their cars.

Generically they take fuel.

However putting petrol in a diesel car is an expensive mistake.

The fact that some use electricity (and you know someone will manage to get the plug in the tank) just adds to the danger.

7:13 pm Monday; December 30, 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

What are you talking about Ralph. I didn't mention anything about opening system preferences. I said Messages preferences. The iCloud account selection is in the sidebar. I assumed he was using iCloud for messaging.

I didn't make any reference to your second picture. I only pointed out to you that I said nothing about system preferences. You misread my post. I'm not attacking anything you said.

I'm not getting into a pis***** contest with you on the use or misuse do words. I used iCloud to reference the service that uses an Apple ID to log into. Messaging and FaceTime use your iCloud Login (Apple ID) to log in. Doesn't matter what server they are on. I do understand that they are all separate services and apps. I just assumed he was referring to using iMessages.

You are absolutely correct about me using the term "iCloud account". I was wrong. I should have said the iMessage account. Also, the term iCloud login should have been Apple ID login. Although it is the same as an iCloud login.

Seriously: I appreciate you pointing that out in case some may have gotten the wrong idea.

The only thing that made me respond to you is because you failed to read my post correctly and implied that I was telling people to open System Preferences, etc. to sign out or disable Messages. You were totally wrong on the 1st half of your original post to me and I suggest you actually read my response to the OP fully from the begining. I'm pretty sure that even though I gave a confusing account name, most would understand to select the iMessaging account in Messages and disable it.

But I encourage you to correct anything I post that is wrong or confusing. We all make mistakes.

For the rest:

Every Apple ID is or can be linked to an iCloud account. Just because you may have never logged in iCloud with a particular Apple ID doesn't mean you can't. I understand that you do not have to use the actual iCloud services or log into iCloud services to use Messages or Facetime.

My wife's Apple ID was never used for any .Mac or .Me. There was no conversion process for her to start using it in iCloud. The only thing was she had to create an Apple email address when she first logged into iCloud. She only had a non Apple address before associated with her ID and every iCloud account needs an Apple Email address assigned to it.. So I would assume (from what you are saying) that she could have used that same Apple ID to log into iMessage even if she never logged into iCloud at all. But I don't know that for sure. So I will assume for now that you know what you are talking about on that point.

The only so called iCloud conversions were for older .Mac or .Me addresses. I did have a .me address and I did convert that to iCloud. If you didn't convert those older addresses to iCloud by the deadline, then you would loose them. The conversion never said anything about converting older Apple IDs or you would lose the ability to use it for iCloud in the future.

Happy New Year to you Ralph