My iMessage conversations are all out of order - help!

I found the problem. It looks like Apple isn't strictly using a server based timestamp. Instead, they rely on the computer's clock to some extent. In my case, my clock was set to automatic but it was 4 minutes ahead of the actual local time. To fix this, I re-selected time.apple.com as the time server which got my computer on the correct time. Now my messages are coming in order like they should.

Comment: This is a BUG in my opinion as a software engineer for over 30 years. Apple should NEVER use the computer's local clock in messaging. It should rely strictly on the time that the server receives the message from the client and use that to figure out the order of messages. C'mon Apple... you know better.

Ok so this worked for me. I turned off automatic time and date then turned my phone off and restarted. Then I turned automatic time and date back on. Now I’m getting my messages in order again. Hope it helps you guys to

From what I can tell, toggling the auto date and time to off and restarting the phone then turning the auto date and time back on has worked so far. I did it 5 days ago and haven’t had the problem since. Hopefully it keeps!

So basically the solution to this problem was to turn on Airplane mode and then your phone off. Power up and everything should be in sync. What the problem was for me is that I accidentally turn off the cellular data instead of Airplane mode. I was still receiving messages which was odd then noticed the the cellular data was off and when I turned it back on I’d get messages and when I responded to them and they responded back it would show up before my message. It wasn’t syncing correctly. I followed my own method by turning Airplane mode on then turning off the phone 15 second later turned it back on and turned off Airplane and everything worked. Did a test and was fine. I’m still going to change the battery early fall but I hope this method helps.

the ONLY solution they had for me was a forced update to the latest IOS...in this case to 11.0.1. I did not want to do it, as I know what pigs (memory) the upgrades always are. Of course I had to delete most apps and data just to accommodate it...I did it and the text problem is fixed and things now show up in order (though all my old texts are gone)...HOWEVER...now my iphone 6 is a DOG. very slow, takes 3 seconds to typing responses. 11.0.X ruined my phone....highly recommend you avoid it

OK it actually did work! I just had to sign out from iMessage after making the change in my time to automatic 'time.apple.com'.

Thanks!

I have this problem to and all you need to do is

1. Go to setting and go to date and time

2. Set time zone anything other than the one it’s already in

3. Swipe out the iMessage app

4. Change time zone back to automatic

Looks like it is fixed now with latest update ios 11.2.2, my iphone 6s is fine now and my imac as well.

I am having this same issue. I just called support and aside from the restarting, resetting and factory restore (which I see others have tried and it has not changed anything) I was told to try going to Settings>general>date and time and toggling the “automatic” setting to off. Keep it off for about 30 seconds and then turn it back on. The real way to test it is to obviously text someone and see if you still have the problem. On my end, that did not change anything. I am going to try it again and maybe restart my phone while the automatic setting is off then turn it back on once restarted. I was told there is another update being released soon and hopefully it will resolve this problem.

Happens in Mac OS 10.13.1 too. Even when chatting with someone on an old iPhone 4. Therefore, I think the problem is on the server end. Perhaps they're using multiple servers with clocks that aren't perfectly synchronized. The client would therefore get offset timestamps and put the messages out of order. Distributive systems are cheaper and more powerful, but they come at a cost.

Same here sporadically. I find if I turn my iPhone off & then back on, the messages are in order. Apple needs to resolve this issue.

i've been having this same issue since the update on my 7 plus. all messages are out of order and not receiving notifications for new messages. when will this get fixed?

This worked for me today

Try making sure your phone time is set to automatic, I’ve just fixed mine doing that is I had set it 5 mins fast for work reasons and now it’s okay

It's a widespread bug I believe, the slowness though is probably related to your battery. Schedule a battery replacement with Apple by calling them, my appointment is next week, I have a 6s as well.