Messages (Sierra) can't send SMS messages

Question

Messages (Sierra) can't send SMS messages

Hello,

I am running Messages on a MacBook Pro with Sierra 10.12.3. I used to easily be able to send SMS messages from my computer. Currently, I can receive all of my SMS messages from my phone and computer, but I cannot send any from the computer. (I get the red ! and the text "your message could not be sent.") If I send a text from my phone, it does then also appear on the computer (so it is not an issue of forwarding settings not being correct).

I recently had an issue with key chains and had to change my key chain password. Any chance this is related?

Thanks,

Matt

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014), macOS Sierra (10.12.3)

Posted on Mar 28, 2017 6:47 PM

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Answer 1

May 12, 2017 12:01 PM in response to musictherapist

Hi,

There is nowhere on the Mac to actually see if Messages is logged into the iMessages account.

The only way to tell is to Sign Out and see if it will Sign In again (Quit the app in between).

Other ways involve testing with the Receive list restricted to just the Apple ID so it is not syncing over sending via the iPhone Number.

Text Forwarding is a little strange as once set up the Apple ID on both devices is used as a link and paired using the Code number that pops up. However if the Apple ID is logged on the iPhone it seems it will still send to the Mac even if the Mac is not logged into the iMessages server (the two things are really unrelated).

The iPhone Number and the Apple ID do need to be active in Send and Receive for Messages to do the SMS forwarding as the Number gets the SMS and then it sends it via WiFi on the iPhone End to the Mac (Wifi or Ethernet).

8:01 pm Friday; May 12, 2017

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Sierra)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 iPhone 6 iOS 10.x and an iPad (2)

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,215 points

Mar 29, 2017 10:15 AM in response to musictherapist

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

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Answer 3

Mar 28, 2017 7:08 PM in response to musictherapist

I've had this issue too in the past and currently it's solved but it seems to happen after I upgrade. I then have to turn it off in Settings> iCloud then reboot and turn it back on.

I don't know if it's related to KeyChain or not but I think it has to be credentials with iCloud and that is related to both.

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Answer 4

cmotx

Level 1

4 points

May 11, 2017 5:29 PM in response to musictherapist

I had a similar problem after updating to Sierra. This is what worked for me.

On my computer I opened up my Messages, then clicked on Messages at the top left corner of my computer screen, then preferences, then accounts and then for my apple ID I clicked ‘sign out’ and then signed back in.

Once I did that, I was able to send message from my computer once again and not get that red exclamation mark inside the circle thingy.

I have a MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015),MacOS Sierra (10.12.4)

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Answer 5

Mar 28, 2017 7:09 PM in response to musictherapist

I also had this issue recently and solved it by rebooting my phone.

Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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