Can't reply to some group texts in iMessage on Macbook

I am having this problem on my IMac. I can't respond to a group message, however, I can respond to the same message from my laptop, so it can't be an issue with one of the recipients. It has to be my iMac. It's very frustrating because I have to keep getting up and going to another computer to respond to group messages. Any ideas on how to resolve this issue? I am using El Capitan 10.11.6 and have the most recent updates.

Thanks!

Hey, Ralph, I know you've had some good suggestions on Message app problems. I have been included in a 12-person group text, along with many other iPhone users. I can receive the messages sent by others, but can't reply to the group. Other iPhone users have no problem. My Apple ID account includes an iPhone 6s (iOS 10.3.3), a Macbook Pro (El Capitan 10.11.6) and a 2009 Mac Pro running Sierra.

I looked at every number in the group text, and at some point in the past few months, I have had individual text conversations with each of them. I found one suspect number and removed it from the group, sent another message and got the same error (not delivered). On my iPhone, iMessage is enabled, and I have these three different devices enabled for text message forwarding. "Send as SMS" is also enabled. Do you have any thoughts on why I am th only iPhone user in this group having this problem? Many thanks.

So those people using Mac Only and therefore Apple ID only cannot be in your groups ?

Seems a bit iOS centric to me.

7:26 pm Monday; May 29, 2017

HI,

Going to rephrase this.

iMessage works with iPhone Numbers and Apple IDs

The iPhone could be using either as could the Mac and any iPad or iPod Touch that are in the loop.

Therefore a group may by iPhone Number and Apple ID (Emails).

9:26 pm Sunday; July 30, 2017

Hi,

The chances are that the Mac concerned is not fully logged in using the Apple ID to the iMessages server and is seeing iMessages because it is linked to an iPhone Number.

That is to say that initially your add an ID and the app Logs in with that ID to the iMessages servers.

You can then link an iPhone to the set up by adding that same ID to the iPhone.

Then you see iMessages send to the iPhone Number and the Apple ID.

You can go as far as deselecting either on the Mac and see "Sync" versions as the two IDs are linked.

The test is to deselect the iPhone number on the Mac and the Apple ID on the iPhone (not Sign Out just deselect in Send and Receive)

Then manually start a new Messages to a manually entered iPhone Number on your Mac including Country Code (it presumes you will never call yourself and does not show you the My Card).

This will mean that the Mac can only send from the Apple ID and the iPhone will only "See" items addresses to the iPhone Number.

If the iMessage does not appear on the iPhone the Mac is not logged in.

The test the other way round (have the Mac list only the iPhone Number as receiver) is only partial as the iPhone Number can never be deselected on the iPhone.

If the Mac version does not appear to be signed in then actually use the Sign Out button close down the App and then restart the computer.

After that try to log the Apple ID in again in the iMessages Account.

It can be that the Mac may not be able to log back in as the Servers have blocked the use of the Apple ID for iMessages Only for that Mac.

The App uses the Serial Number to verify that it is "you" logging on. A Full Migration of the Keychain can cause the same problem.

The "Fix" is a long call to Apple Support When the iMessages account will not Login

8:21 pm Friday; August 11, 2017

I found this to be caused by having a group member addressed by email instead of phone number. It is an annoying "feature" of iMessage to allow members to be added by email. It serves little purpose and often messes things up. If I wanted to send someone an email, I'd use the mail app.

The fix is easy (unless the group is really large). Just start a new message to the same people, but insure that you are choosing their iPhone numbers, not their email addresses.

It's not working for me and super frustrating.

I've asked to be invited back into the group iMessage even though I never left. And last time I cleaned up and deleted old

Messages it asked if I wanted to stop sharing my

Location and I replied "no". And this is all on my phone I keep getting no box to reply and it's resolved itself once without my having any idea.

I found a workaround that seems to "fix" the immediate issue. With the Messages app running and selected, I went to Messages--> Preferences-->Accounts and selected iMessage. I just unchecked the checkbox next to Enable this account it and then rechecked it and that "fixed" the problem. Another reply said you have to send a SMS text first then re-enable iMessage, but I didn't find that necessary. Hope this helps.

Hi,

I would double check the settings.

You seem to be listing several devices listing the Apple ID but none of them seem to be getting the SMS forwarded to them.

The way it can be done is Start en Messages App on the iPhone (It can do iMessages from the iPhone Number)

You can enable SMS as well (it will now do both)

Add an Apple ID to the Mac version. (It can now send from the Apple ID)

You can test to the iPhone by manually typing in the iPhone Number including Country Code.

Send an iMessage.

If it works add the Apple ID in the Send and Receive setting on the iPhone.

Accept the pop up on the Mac.

Both devices can now Send and Receive on both iPhone Number and Apple ID.

Make sure the iPhone is on the same LAN as the Mac(s) or iOS devices using the Apple ID.

Enable Text Forwarding.

This looks similar to Blue Tooth pairing but it is not and uses the LAN to link the two (at the set up stage) devices.

You should be able to Pair to one of the Macs.

That Mac will get SMS after you see the Code and enter it back on the iPhone.

Repeat where required for other Macs an iOS devices using the Apple ID

The most often missed part is making sure all devices are on the same LAN.

If you have added a range extender that routes then they should all be in the same SubNet.

If you are getting SMS but not iMessages then the Mac is not logged in to the iMessage Server properly.

IF you are getting iMessages but not SMS then either iPhone is not doing SMS or the link is not working. Re-set Text Forwarding.

Partial SMS (Receiving but not Sending) does seem a bit weird.

I would look to the Carrier service dropping out mid conversation as it the bit the iPhone And the Mac use and is also probably the least stable in some areas.

7:50 pm Sunday; December 10, 2017

Hi onetruevu,

Glad you reached out to Apple Discussions. Seems like you are having an issue with sending group messages to a specific group from your MBP's message app? Since it is occurring in a specific group, there may be an issue with an individual contact. If you’re sending a group message via iMessage, everyone in the group must have a phone number or have an email address registered with iMessage. If you have an iPhone with iOS 8, you can send a message as an SMS to group members who have a phone number, even those who aren’t registered with iMessage.

I would also tryupdating your OS X to the latest version using your App store as well as setting up SMS forwarding on your Mac. SMS forwarding allows you to send and receive text messages from a mobile number to your Message app on the Mac! Check out the link below for details about Group messages.

Messages (El Capitan): Send a group message

Doing the steps above should allow you to successfully send your group message.

Have a great one!

hi,

This was fine up to here

Glad you reached out to Apple Discussions. Seems like you are having an issue with sending group messages to a specific group from your MBP's message app? Since it is occurring in a specific group, there may be an issue with an individual contact.

if the issue might be a Contact lest sort that out rather than suggesting an update.

@onetruevu

Hi,

Try sending a iMessages to each person in the Group separately. (i.e Enter their Contact Details used in the group in to the "To" spot when starting a New Message)

This should show, by turning the Contact red, which ones are "not Registered with iMessages"

This can be caused by them deliberately signing out on the device most likely to receive the iMessages

On an iPhone in Settings > Messages > Send and Receive the iPhone number can be come unticked (not Active) when it should not be, (it is greyed out so the suer Cannot do this but it has happened to me twice).

If this has happened Sign Out of the Apple ID and then Shut the app down before restarting it.

Wait for the Number to Verify before adding back the Apple ID and restarting Text Forwarding if it is being used.

This:-

If you have an iPhone with iOS 8, you can send a message as an SMS to group members who have a phone number, even those who aren’t registered with iMessage.

might apply if in fact one Contact has moved to a non iPhone but moved the number to the new phone.

If that is the case they may need to do this https://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage

The Community Specialists are supposed to wait 24 hours before picking up on Posts that have no replies.

I read all iMessages/Messages items in Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite, EL Capitan as well as reading everything in the iChat community.

99% of the time I manage to do that each day.

If I have not replied it is usually because Linc Davis or Eric Root have started something that I don't feel I can add to.

I would not bother with Updating.

It rarely solves anything that is really to do with the Home Folder. (your stuff as opposed to the OS).

9:34 pm Wednesday; June 8, 2016

I just searched all over the web for an answer to this, and couldn't find an easy fix. But I just figured out a solution! Turn off your iMessage, sent a regular text to anyone, and then turn it back on. I think the problem will be fixed, and you'll be able to message the group again.

This fixed the problem for me

This fixed the problem for me too.

This has been plaguing me for months on my iPhone 6. This totally worked! Thank you!