ChrisM10
Level 1 (10 points)

Q: Group Message with mixed users

Hello!

 

I'm wondering if it is possible to send out a group text/message from Messages to a group that contains iMessage and non-iMessage users (people who would be texted through my connected iPhone from Messages)?

 

I've tried to do this and can not from my Macbook.  I can do it from my iPhone 6, however.

 

Macbook 12" (El Capitan) and ipnone 6 iOS 9.

 

Thanks!

Chris

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Oct 8, 2015 7:30 AM

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ChrisM10

Q: Group Message with mixed users

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  • by braden85,

    braden85 braden85 Oct 8, 2015 12:03 PM in response to ChrisM10
    Community Specialists
    Oct 8, 2015 12:03 PM in response to ChrisM10

    Hi ChrisM10,

     

    I see you have some questions about using Messages in El Capitan. In order to send SMS messages from your computer (as would be necessary for sending a message to a grouping of mixed iMessage and non-iMessage recipients), you will want to connect your phone and computer using Continuity:

    SMS

    With Continuity, all the SMS and MMS text messages you send and receive on your iPhone also appear on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch. Even if the person you’re communicating with doesn’t have an iPhone. And regardless of what phone they have, you can reply from whichever device is closest to you, including your iPad or Mac. You can also initiate a  conversation by clicking a phone number in Safari, Contacts, or Calendar.

    To use Continuity for SMS and MMS with your iPhone and your Mac, iPad or iPod touch

    Your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch need to use iOS 8.1, and your Mac needs to use OS X Yosemite.

    1. Sign in to iMessage on your iPhone, your other iOS devices, and your Mac using the same Apple ID.
    2. On your iPhone: Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > You Can Be Reached By, and add a check to both your phone number and email address. Then, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding, and enable the device(s) you would like to forward messages to.
    3. Your Mac, iPad, or iPod touch will display a code. Enter this code on your iPhone to verify the SMS feature.

     

    Use Continuity to connect your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac - Apple Support

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204681

     

    Thanks for coming to the Apple Support Communities!

  • by ChrisM10,

    ChrisM10 ChrisM10 Oct 11, 2015 8:00 AM in response to braden85
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 11, 2015 8:00 AM in response to braden85

    Braden,

     

    Thanks so much for getting back to me.  I've been using Continuity for some time for iMessage and non-iMessage contacts.  I'm running into trouble with group texts (messages, whatever they're called).  I'm on a soccer team and I'm trying to text all the guys on the team at once, which I've been able to do from my iPhone for years.  I want to do this from my Macbook through Messages.  I can text the guys individually and as a group if they are all iMessage (iPhone) users.  The problem arises when I try to send out a message to the whole team from my Macbook and I'm guessing it's because there are iMessage and non-iMessage users.  The message turns green as soon as a add a non-iMessage user to the list and when I send the message the progress bar (green) goes about halfway across the top before stopping and the red exclamation point comes up.  Is there a setting somewhere that I'm missing or a way around this?

     

    Thanks so much!

    Chris

  • by braden85,

    braden85 braden85 Oct 21, 2015 6:30 AM in response to ChrisM10
    Community Specialists
    Oct 21, 2015 6:30 AM in response to ChrisM10

    Hey again ChrisM10,

     

    Sorry to ask this again, but are you absolutely sure you have Text Message Forwarding activated on your iPhone? Are you able to successfully send an SMS message to a single recipient from your MacBook?

  • by 1rishjayhawk,

    1rishjayhawk 1rishjayhawk Jul 18, 2016 3:05 PM in response to ChrisM10
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 18, 2016 3:05 PM in response to ChrisM10

    I am having a similar problem.  Until recently, I have had no problem sending messages to groups from my iPhone, iPad, or MacBook Air.  However, my MacBook is now refusing to send SMS messages and only sends to iMessage people.  I have tried turning Continuity off and back on via my phone, but this did not clear up the problem.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jul 19, 2016 10:12 AM in response to 1rishjayhawk
    Level 9 (70,161 points)
    iTunes
    Jul 19, 2016 10:12 AM in response to 1rishjayhawk

    If the below doesn't fix your problem , you might want to start your own post since this one is from last year. A new post would be much more visible. You can link to this one.

     

    Messages – Fix Syncing Between Mac and IOS (2)

     

    Handoff Continuity Troubleshooting

     

    Handoff Continuity Troubleshooting (2)

     

    iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac using Continuity - Connect

     

    SMS Relay - Set up and use –Yosemite/ iOS 8

     

    SMS Relay - Set up and use –Yosemite/ iOS 8  (2)

     

    Text messages forwarding