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waterpunch
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Messages not working on more than one device

I have Messages working on my iMac (Yosemite), but on my Macbook Air (Yosemite) I am prompted to log in with my AppleID and then I am told "Your Apple ID "***@gmail.com" can't be used to set up iMessage at this time". What could the issue be?

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Dec 2, 2014 2:11 PM

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waterpunch

Q: Messages not working on more than one device

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  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Dec 5, 2014 1:12 PM in response to waterpunch
    Level 9 (72,999 points)
    Applications
    Dec 5, 2014 1:12 PM in response to waterpunch

    Hi,

     

    Could be anything.

    System Preferences > Date and Time as everything in Messages including Login is time stamped. (check Time Zone as well)

    System Preferences > Network > Advanced Button > DNS tab. Needs to be an external DNS server (or two) rather than the "Router IP" listed in the TCP/IP tab.

     

    In Messages > Preferences > Accounts > iMessages account Details Button - if it retains the info you put in. This needs to list the correct region/Country.

     

    In this Mac User Account is the Address Book set up correctly.

    You can have issues if:-

    1) The My Card (See Card Menu in Contacts App) is not your details.

    2) If the Contacts app is not Syncing with other Address book type lists (more linked to Messages being used on a iPhone as well).

    3) having too many sync account On.

     

    The AppleGothic.ttf font can be inactive. Check with the Font Book app (it will be low  down the list). Use the File Menu > Validate as well as checking for Duplicates and whether it is Enabled.

     

    Is the wording like these four error messages ?

    FaceTime, Game Center, Messages: Troubleshooting sign in issues - Apple Support

     

    If it looks like this:-

    Apple ID.png

    Then the only Fix is to call Apple Support.

    Make sure you point out it is an Account Issue (event though it may only effect  the Mac's use of the Apple ID with the iMessages server).

    It is a known issue but in saying that not all Level 1 people know about it and you may have to ask to speak to a Level 2 person.  (Account/ID issues are free to fix)

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:12 PM      Friday; December 5, 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