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Fone4
Level 1 (5 points)

Q: Lost iPhone! Can I still use Mac Messaging?

Is it possible to continue using Mac Messaging after losing my linked iPhone? Is Mac Messaging a standalone app that doesn't need a cell\mobile connection to work?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1), Mid-2014 2.5Ghz i7 16GB 512GB SSD

Posted on Dec 21, 2014 11:36 AM

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Fone4

Q: Lost iPhone! Can I still use Mac Messaging?

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  • by fpDoug,Helpful

    fpDoug fpDoug Dec 21, 2014 11:51 AM in response to Fone4
    Level 1 (80 points)
    Dec 21, 2014 11:51 AM in response to Fone4

    I don't have an iPhone, and I have been able to use iMessage to send messages to a couple people (who do have iPhones).  I gave it my Yahoo! email address/Apple ID in the Accounts setup pane, and then I entered the recipient's phone number at the top of the message window.

  • by Fone4,

    Fone4 Fone4 Dec 21, 2014 12:02 PM in response to fpDoug
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 21, 2014 12:02 PM in response to fpDoug

    Thanks, I'll give this a try.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Dec 21, 2014 12:47 PM in response to Fone4
    Level 9 (72,999 points)
    Applications
    Dec 21, 2014 12:47 PM in response to Fone4

    Hi,

     

    Once you have linked your iPhone Number to your Mac version of Messages then your Mac can send as if it were the iPhone (Start Conversation From drop down in the Preferences > Accounts > iMessage account).

     

    Even if the iPhone is lost in a way that mean the battery goes flat you will still be able to do this.

    Whilst this will, after a period, remove the iPhone itself form the iMessages servers the number will still be active as the Mac Sync option.

    Removing it permanently from the Mac  means deleting a .plist (which stores the Apple ID and any other identification methods you linked to it).

     

    Removing it from the iMessages system in total is a bit more involved, particularly if you don't have access to the iPhone any more.

     

    The main issue is when your iPhone is stolen or someone finds it and discovers they can access it and keeps it.

    Your Apple ID is still linked to your iPhone Number and the person may be reading your iMessages and SMS ones.

     

    This may help. Find My iPhone Activation Lock: Removing a device from a previous owner’s account - Apple Support

    Also Change the password to the Apple ID.

     

    And If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is lost or stolen - Apple Support

     

     

     

     

     

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    8:47 pm      Sunday; December 21, 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