epsilon311

Q: I can't send iMessages from my Mac?

Recently I have not been able to send or receive any imessages from my Mac.  I can send/receive them from my iPad mini.

When I try to send a message their name turns red and it says that "insert email/phone" is not registered with iMessage.

Like I said, this problem is recent, and I have been able to send them before, so I am not sure what it could be.  I have tried

logging out of iCloud on my Mac, and Logging out of iMessages as well.  It hasn't helped yet.

MacBook, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), Late 2008, 8GB RAM

Posted on Jan 29, 2014 2:24 PM

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Q: I can't send iMessages from my Mac?

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  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Jan 30, 2014 12:06 PM in response to epsilon311
    Level 9 (73,279 points)
    Applications
    Jan 30, 2014 12:06 PM in response to epsilon311

    Hi,

     

    The iMessages account in Messages is actually nothing to do with iCloud.

     

    That's not to say the same Apple ID is in use or that the iCloud Sync for Contacts uses the same ID.

     

    The two services use different servers and you can uses a different ID in iMessages  whilst using another to sync your Contacts apps details.

     

    Did you just untick the "Enable this Account" box or did you use the Sign Out button ?

    Use th Sign Out button

    Then Shutdown or Restart the Mac and relaunch Messages.

    Re-add the Apple ID (you may obly have to confirm the password.

    This completely refreshes the Login.

     

    Side note.

    I noticed my wife was showing up red a couple of days back.

    When I checked her iPhone the setting for iMessages had been turned Off.

    i.e. it was the other end.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:06 pm      Thursday; January 30, 2014

     

      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

  • by epsilon311,

    epsilon311 epsilon311 Jan 31, 2014 4:13 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (2 points)
    Jan 31, 2014 4:13 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Thanks for your response,

     

    I did use the log out of iMessages button, but I didn't try restarting as well, however, that didn't help.

    I did notice a bit of a peculiarity.  I have been able to get a message off to myself, right when my computer boots, and if messages is the first thing I open.

     

    In short I seem to be able to beat it before it determines that the name is not registered, but I haven't been able to get that to work with any of my other contacts.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),Helpful

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Feb 1, 2014 11:30 AM in response to epsilon311
    Level 9 (73,279 points)
    Applications
    Feb 1, 2014 11:30 AM in response to epsilon311

    Hi,

     

    Open a Finder window.

    Use the Go Menu whilst holding down the ALT key.

    Select the Library that appears in the Menu.

    Navigate to the Preferences folder.

    In here find the com.apple.ids.service.com.apple.madrid.plist and drag it to the Trash.

    Restart the app.

     

    This .plist holds all the Apple IDs and iPhone numbers and alternative emails you have linked to the account.

    On restarting the app you may have to re-enter the Apple ID.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:30 pm      Saturday; February 1, 2014

     

      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

  • by builder31,

    builder31 builder31 May 15, 2014 7:19 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 15, 2014 7:19 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    I had the same issue between my mac mini (imessages dont send, although it was updating imessages from my ipad) and my ipad.  I removed the file as you posted and this fixed the problem.  However, there now is no com.apple.ids.service.com.apple.madrid.plist file in that folder.  I assumed a new one would be created.  I was not asked for my appleID and I WAS able to send imessages from the mac mini.  So i think my problem is solved, but that file is missing.  Is that a potential issue?

     

    thanks

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 15, 2014 12:20 PM in response to builder31
    Level 9 (73,279 points)
    Applications
    May 15, 2014 12:20 PM in response to builder31

    Hi,

     

    The current place on my computer for this file is ~/Library/Preferences

    However it is referenced by an Alias in ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.ichat/Data/Library/Preferences

     

    This is the Sandboxing in action as it were.

    The App Writes to the .plists via this second route.  (it probably Reads the file this way as well)

    Mavericks added the Containers/app reference/Data folders to "protect" by separation the individual actions of the apps.

     

    I would expect the file to be recreated when the App was restarted.

     

    You could go to the Containers location and Right click the Alias and ask it to show you the Original in the Finder.

    In the Finder use the Video Menu > Show Path Bar so you know where the file is.

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:20 pm      Thursday; May 15, 2014

     

      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 builder31,

    builder31 builder31 May 15, 2014 5:08 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 15, 2014 5:08 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Hi and thanks again,

     

    I can't find the file using the tips above, even with spotlight.  I had copied the file to an external drive and i copied it back to a folder on the mac.  Then spotlight immediately found that file using 'madrid.plist' as a search term.  But no other file was found.  I closed and restarted imessage several times.

     

    imessages seems to work so not sure if there will be an issue.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 16, 2014 12:07 PM in response to builder31
    Level 9 (73,279 points)
    Applications
    May 16, 2014 12:07 PM in response to builder31

    HI,

     

    Just to be clear.

    There are three folders called "Library" on a  Mac with only the original Admin account. *see fourth Library below.

    If you open the Hard Drive to it's top level then you can read Library, System and Users (As well as Applications and anything you have put here.

     

    If you open the System one then there is a Library folder as the next step there.

    Also in Users > the name of your Account (Little House icon) then there is one in here.

    However since Lion this has been Invisible.

     

    Using the Finder > Go Menu > Go to Folder and entering ~/Library will open a window in that Library

    Screen Shot 2014-05-16 at 19.55.03.png

     

    You can also make the Folder Visible on  permanent basis  if you need to.

     

    Generally Spotlight will not display the results from the ~/Library  which is why you will not find it this way.

     

    Fourth Library.

    Since Sandboxing came into being the Containers folder has many "Library" folders that apply to each app that can be sandboxed.

    Basically all are at the same depth of Containers/Data/App Name/Library.

     

    As you say it is working I would not worry too much about it.

    I have just finished installing OS X 10.9.3 and my Users folder seems to be the next one to become Invisible.

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:07 pm      Friday; May 16, 2014

     

      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 jacbec,

    jacbec jacbec May 19, 2014 9:51 AM in response to epsilon311
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 19, 2014 9:51 AM in response to epsilon311

    Tried to send to ph # I msg with all of the time on iPhones. Contact shows in red and get msg that # not registered with iMessages. Other #'s work fine. Apple Support absolutely not help at all!

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 19, 2014 12:19 PM in response to jacbec
    Level 9 (73,279 points)
    Applications
    May 19, 2014 12:19 PM in response to jacbec

    Hi,

     

    At any one time you may get this with an iPhone if it is set to be Off such as Do not Disturb or in Airplane Mode.

    Also if it does not have wifi coverage or a suitable carrier coverage.

    It also happens if the phone has lost power.

     

    The iMessages server cannot tell why the iPhone is not accepting just that it is "not there".

    You get a standard "Not registered" error message.

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:19 pm      Monday; May 19, 2014

     

      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 RonnieScott,

    RonnieScott RonnieScott May 23, 2014 8:54 AM in response to epsilon311
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 23, 2014 8:54 AM in response to epsilon311

    Thank you for your reply. Your level of computer sophistication is greater than mine. When I'm in iCloud and click "Sign Out" it asks if I want to Keep Contacts or Delete From Mac. Which do I click? 

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 23, 2014 11:10 AM in response to RonnieScott
    Level 9 (73,279 points)
    Applications
    May 23, 2014 11:10 AM in response to RonnieScott

    Hi,

     

    I always say Keep Contacts so they are On My Mac for the future.

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:10 pm      Friday; May 23, 2014

     

      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 RonnieScott,

    RonnieScott RonnieScott May 23, 2014 11:54 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 23, 2014 11:54 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Thank you, Ralph. Apparently, the problem is on the other end. My friend may not have updated her user software.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 23, 2014 12:28 PM in response to RonnieScott
    Level 9 (73,279 points)
    Applications
    May 23, 2014 12:28 PM in response to RonnieScott

    OK.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:28 pm      Friday; May 23, 2014

     

      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 builder31,

    builder31 builder31 May 30, 2014 7:34 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 30, 2014 7:34 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Hmmm, i finally had a chance to look in these libraries as you mentioned (the ~/library locations).  That madrid.plist file is nowhere to be found.  But messaging is now working fine....

    (i wonder what else i broke )

    cheers

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