iconorama
Level 1 (5 points)
Desktops

Q: iMessage will not (re)connect on iMac

Hello,

Last week before I went on a 5 day business trip I was able to use iMessage on my iMac. (I usually use it on my iPad, but the messages do show on my iMac)

Since turning my computer on yesterday, I cannot get iMessage to start up on my computer, which runs on Mavericks.

 

I followed the directions, went to my Apple-ID, which strangely doesn't list my Mac as one of my devices. iCloud does however and can find it and my iMac is listed under the Systemeinstellungen. (System controls).

 

When I try to log in to iMessage on my iMac it tells me I need a specific password or must create one for my iD, but this keeps sending me in circles. I cannot find a way to do this. Any tips? Thanks.

 

–Kim

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Feb 16, 2016 1:49 AM

by Eric Root,Apple recommended
Eric Root Eric Root
Level 9 (73,966 points)
iTunes
A:

Do you have 2 step verification enabled on your Apple ID?

 

Apple ID - Two Step Verifications FAQ

 

Two-step authentication for iMessage and FaceTime

Posted on Feb 16, 2016 9:40 AM

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Q: iMessage will not (re)connect on iMac

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  • by iconorama,

    iconorama iconorama Feb 16, 2016 9:39 AM in response to iconorama
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 16, 2016 9:39 AM in response to iconorama

    My iMac also seems to have forgotten that I have a timer called 'Howler'. It just told me that it was bought with a different device and I had to log in with my apple id to activate it.

     

    Could the problem have something to do with my having upgraded my iCloud from the free 5GB to the monthly payment of 2,99€? I haven't ever had these problems before. (I upgraded while I was travelling)

  • by Eric Root,Apple recommended

    Eric Root Eric Root Feb 16, 2016 9:40 AM in response to iconorama
    Level 9 (73,966 points)
    iTunes
    Feb 16, 2016 9:40 AM in response to iconorama

    Do you have 2 step verification enabled on your Apple ID?

     

    Apple ID - Two Step Verifications FAQ

     

    Two-step authentication for iMessage and FaceTime

  • by iconorama,

    iconorama iconorama Feb 16, 2016 10:27 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 16, 2016 10:27 AM in response to Eric Root

    Yes, I do. I have had it for a while, but this is the first time that the iMac requires it for my iMessages sent on the Mac. (And why doesn't my iMac show under my devices?)

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),Apple recommended

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Feb 16, 2016 12:55 PM in response to iconorama
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    Feb 16, 2016 12:55 PM in response to iconorama

    Hi,

     

    It does seem that if Messages is open and stays open when you set up 2 Step Verification it can stay in this state until the app is Quit.

    This means it could be quite some time before you get asked to set up a Specific Password.

     

    If the iMac is not logged in to some services that it will not appear in the list.
    So if the iMessages account is the only thing on that Mac that would be logged in with that ID then the Mac will not appear in the list (I.e. iTunes or Mail is not set up to use it as you use the iPad as the main device).

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:55 pm      Tuesday; February 16, 2016

     

    ​  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 iconorama,

    iconorama iconorama Feb 17, 2016 12:01 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 17, 2016 12:01 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Hi Ralph,

    I am a bit confused at your answer.

    I use the same eMail for iTunes and for iMessage. When I open up iTunes on my iMac and check "Geräte verwalten" (administer devices?) it just lists my iPad, not my iMac. This is rather annoying.

     

    Also I have had the double-level password since 2014 (according to my account). Should I just remove the iMessage part and re-add it?

     

    Maybe I should rephrase the question: How do I get my iMac listed when there are no options for adding it?

    Thanks.

    —Kim

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),Apple recommended

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Feb 17, 2016 11:47 AM in response to iconorama
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    Feb 17, 2016 11:47 AM in response to iconorama

    Hi,

     

    When I checked the Apple ID site a little while ago and looked at the devices it did tell why some might appear in the list.

    Check your Apple ID device list to see where you're signed in - Apple Support

    It seems that some can be listed if they use a linked email in one app that is not used elsewhere.

     

    For Instance I have my Original Apple ID which is based on a  Dial-Up service I once had.

    When iCloud came out I linked it to iCloud and got an @me.com email as well and later an @iCloud.com one as well.

     

    For some things I can use them independently.

    I tend to use the @me.com one for iCloud on the iPhone, Mac and iPad.

    I use the original Apple ID in the iMessages Account on the same devices.

     

    I could add another iPhone to the set up and use just the Original ID and not worry about linking it to iCloud.

    This iPhone would then appear in the list of devices even though only one app was using the ID.

     

    Whilst my set up of using different parts of the Apple ID/iCloud ID I could also see that you might have only set up Messages on your Mac.

    I am  trying to find out if my two older computers that don't have software to do iCloud will show up if I restart up iTunes.

     

    I am stuck at the moment I as cannot remember one of the answers to one of my Security questions.

     

    If you have had two Step Verification since 2014 has the Mac and it's version of Messages been logged in all that time ?
    I don't use it myself but my understanding is that if an app is logged in at the time it is set up the Precess of needing an separate Password for that app does not happen until it needs to log in again.

     

    I notice that there are not ways of deleting an ID either.

    The way to add a device is to use an ID that is linked to the iCloud ID on a device and it should appear.

    Currently as I said above I am trying to check in my MacBook Pro will get added now I have Logged in via iTunes

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:47 pm      Wednesday; February 17, 2016

     

    ​  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 Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Feb 19, 2016 12:44 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    Feb 19, 2016 12:44 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Hi,

     

    I managed to get accepted back on the Apple ID site and I changed the Questions.

     

    My MacBook Pro ver 1,1 has not been added since I restarted iTunes on it with the Apple ID password so it does seem the list can be incomplete for several reasons.

    I would guess that there is an OS X factor in there somewhere.

     

    I would try resetting the Applications Specific Password for Messages

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:44 pm      Friday; February 19, 2016

     

    ​  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