iMessages not syncing consistently between devices

Humm,

• WHEN:

I send text message "TEST123" with

timestamp "12:28" from my iPhone to a

non-iMessage person

(iMessages needs to be working so that the SMS does)

So...

In the Reply that was previous to that one I was asking you to prove that iMessages work for syncs in a proper manner.

This reply above was to pinpoint of the Apple ID or iPhone Number was not not logged in properly in the first place.

For instance, on the iPhone > Settings > Messages > Send and Receive the iPhone number is normally ticked and greyed out.

i.e. the number is always On and cannot be deselected whilst the iMessages part is On for the app as a whole.

However there are times when this can get unticked (even though the User has nothing to do with it) and this requires that the Messages App is turned Off then restarted to allow the number to reconnect to the iMessages servers.

After a long period the Number will "de-register" from the iMessages server.

In between time there is a period where, if linked to an Apple ID it will sync these iMessages ( if someone sends to your Apple ID the iPhone will see the "sync" version so to speak" - whereas if sent to your iPhone Number the Mac would display the "iPhone Sync copy" - in this case the iPhone also sees the "sync" via the Apple ID link).

My iPhone is set to "Send From" the iPhone Number and the Mac to the Apple ID.

This way if I type the iPhone Number into the New Messages "To" spot the Mac will send from the Apple ID to the iPhone ID.

The "To"spot name as Drop Down should confirm this.

You may also see the Time Stamp/ID messages in the centre of the Chat confirm this as well.

AS the Mac cannot tell you if the iMessages Account is actually logged in or not apart from when it does not sent an iMessages or does not recognise a Contact - then you need to test.

So...

If the iPhone cannot send from the iPhone Number to the Apple ID and the Mac display it then the chances are the Mac is not fully logged in and if iMessages are not working the link that make the iPhone and Mac do SMS also will not work.

If "Sending From" works in either direction to the opposing ID or iPhone Number then the issue is more likely to be with the Text Forwarding settings on the iPhone themselves.

Reset the Mac one (turn it Off then On again and put in the new Code Number)

I hope I have been clearer.

9:02 pm Monday; January 2, 2017

You're welcome.

7:33 pm Friday; January 27, 2017

Read this previous community thread on iMessages.

My iMessages won't sync

Hi,

Until recently I seemed to have this issue.

Items sent from my iPhone to my wife just don't show up on the days they were sent.

Things seemed to have improved after I swapped to sending to her Apple ID.

Ones to her iPhone since have synced across devices without issue (but I do only have one example so far).

The Reset suggested by Mobile Blues seems to be a good idea.

A How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support might help.

As I have experienced, changing the addressed person's alternatives might also help.

9:14 pm Tuesday; May 17, 2016

Messages – Fix Syncing Between Mac and IOS

Messages – Fix Syncing Between Mac and IOS (2)

Hi,

If you are using one ID to get things sent to but there is an Alternative such as an iPhone Number then try getting to person to re-address the iMessage to that alternative.

I had a similar issue with some part of an iPhone to iPhone conversation not syncing properly to my Mac. (it was using Number to Number as ID)

When I did something on my Mac and chose Apple ID to Apple ID it seemed to clear up the sync issue.

There is an issue with AIM and Jabber (GoogleTalk) logins not handling Pics-in-chats In-line and they have to be zipped first.

I have yet to prove this has "Crossed Over" to the iMessages account but you could also try that.

9:05 pm Friday; May 27, 2016

None of the suggestions are working for me. I seem to get all messages to my iPhone 5S (running 10.0.2) but it's hit or miss to my computer (MacBook Pro running El Capitan 10.11.6). It is not related to pictures. After following the instructions to sign out then back in on both devices, none of the missing messages showed up. Just after I did this, a friend sent me two texts in a row. The second one showed up on my computer but not the first.

I love this extremely useful tool but if I can't see the messages (or even the people who messaged me) it's not so useful.

There is a difference between iMessage and SMS Text Messages. iMessage is sent and received via Apple iMessage service and the recipients and the senders must be using iMessage themselves or a message service that is compatible with Apple iMessage service. SMS Text messages are sent and received via your cell phone service provider. On your iPhone if you send a text message it will default to iMessage first if you have that option selected in your settings. However, if the recipient does not have or use iMessage the message will change to SMS Text message and be sent via your phone carrier. Either way it will be sent or received. On your Mac it will only send via iMessage and will not use your cell phone carriers network. My guess is the ones on your iPhone that are working are being sent via SMS Text messages not iMessage.

Read this Apple Knowledge Base article....

Use Messages with your Mac - Apple Support

Yes, for sure. Unfortunately, it doesn't explain what's going on here. Both iMessages and regular SMS text messages (with and without pictures) show up on my Messages app on my laptop. The missing messages are also mixed. Every message (of all types) goes to my iPhone no problem. It's just syncing with my computer that is the issue.

Hi,

I would do it in a very specific way.

On the Mac use the Sign Out button for the iMessages account.

Also uncheck the "Enable this Account" box.

On the iPhone > Settings > Messages > Send and Receive.

First disable the Apple ID option.

Then also Sign Out of the Apple ID.

If using Text Forwarding also turn that Off.

Now turn the App Off (slide the green indicator at the very top to white)

Wait a few minutes.

While you are waiting go back to the Mac and Sign in the Apple ID again.

IF an Alternative like the iPhone Number is listed deselect it.

Check the Contacts App on the Mac and the iPhone are using the same Service (such as iCloud)

Now turn On the App on the iPhone and wait for the number to Verify.
This can take some time on occasions.

Once it has Verified you will have an iPhone that only can use the iPhone Number and a Mac that can only use the Apple ID.

On the iPhone type in manually your Apple ID so you can send an iMessage to the Mac.

Reply from the mac.

Dismiss the conversation on the Mac and start a New Message and specifically enter the iPhone number to call.

(In Sierra you cannot enter your own Name and see the info from the Contacts App to select these iMessages options - it presumes you will not want to "Call yourself".)

If both tests work then add the Apple ID to the iPhone.

Accept the Pop ups on the Mac about what the iPhone is using.

Re-enable the iPhone Alternative if listed.

Enable "Send as SMS" on the iPhone.

Check the iPhone is connected by the WiFi setting to your LAN

Set Text Forwarding in the Messages settings so you get the New Code Number to appear on the Mac.

Enter it back on the iPhone.

Doing things this way sets up Messages on both devices the way the features were added though Mountain Lion through to Yosemite and iOS 5 through iOS 8.

9:11 pm Thursday; October 13, 2016

me too!

total bummer, I started having problems on 10/28

Massage between iPad and iPhone works flawlessly but Mac (Sierra on board) seems to receive messages with huge lag (if it ever receives it) and when it happens messages are in bad order.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Turn off MAC

2. Turn off iPad

3. Send text to anybody

4. Turn on iPad, look at messages. They are updated instantly with good order

5. Turn on Mac, look at messages. It take eternity to synch and order is bad.

Example:

• Test1,
• Test2, (yes I forgot test3)
• Turned OFF iPad Test4,
• Turned OFF Mac Test5,
• Test6,
• Tunrned ON Mac
• Test7,
• Turned ON iPad Test8

Final effect:

iPad:

iPhone

Mac:

Hi,

On the Mac version Sign Out of the iMessages ID.

Shut the app down

Restart the app and log back in the iMessages account.

Has this changed things ?

9:24 pm Wednesday; December 7, 2016