Messages and FaceTime won't open on new 13" MBP

Take it back to the vendor since it is in warranty. If you are within 14 days from date of purchase they can replace it for you, not questions asked.

If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime

Hi,

Check in the Font Book App that AppleGothic is active.

It is quote low down the list (near the bottom).

The Font is in Hard Drive name/Library/Fonts despite the fact it is needed. (most are called System Fonts in hard Drive name/System/Library/Fonts).

Some third party Font Managers can be an issue around this.

9:57 pm Tuesday; February 2, 2016

Hi,

If AppleGothic is there (it's absence is the most common cause of not being able to Access the Preferences) then Open Font Book again and use the "Restore Standard Fonts" item in the File Menu.

Messages store info in several .plists across several locations.

As the set up is new(ish) I would delete the lot.

In the Finder use the Go Menu > Go to Folder and type in ~/Library/Preferences in the dialogue box that appears (the leading ~ called a tilde, is very important.)

You need to find:-

com.apple.ichat.plist (the main one for the app)

com.apple.ichat.AIM.plist

com.apple.ichat.Jabber.plist

com.apple.ichat.Yahoo.plist

com.apple.ichat.Subnet.plist (this is for the Bonjour account but may not show if you have never enabled it)

com.apple.imagent.plist (this is a support app that provides a "listening" functions for Off line Messages of any sort once the app is set up).

Highlight then drag them to the Trash to delete them

and

com.apple.ids.service.com.apple.madrid.plist (this one hold the iMessages account info including linked ID and phone numbers)

com.apple.imessage.bag.plist (holds the current iMessages server info).

Now navigate to ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.soagent/Data/Library/Preferences

SOAgent is another Support app for the messages app (and FaceTime).

Most are Aliases in here except for some that start:-

com.apple.messageshelper.*.plist

Delete the set by Dragging them to the Trash as well.

Restart Messages

8:57 pm Thursday; February 4, 2016

Hi Tim,

I have this exact problem - did it get solved and how? Thank you in advance.

Hi,

As the Original Poster has not come back to say what worked and what did not or how they solved outside of the advice given we who were posting don't know.

I happen to remain Subscribed to any Thread I have contributed in.

As you posted on Saturday (my time) I would see if they come back by Monday as most people seem to un-subscribe themselves after a while.