iMessage on Mac doesn't work with Google after upgrade to Sierra?

Hi,

How I got there.

It used to be that GoogleTalk had it's own server (talk.google.com) which was separate from the Mail Server (gmail.com)

However in Sierra you could Add the Google option in Messages "First" which would create a Google account in System Preferences > Internet Accounts and then once that was done you could activate the Mail Option.

Somehow Google coped with this.

In High Sierra, being aware of the "Messages First" scenario I used the Add Jabber account in the Messages Menu.

This did not show in the Google account in Internet accounts nor did it show in the Messages App > Preferences Account and you could not see the Buddy List.

I removed the com.apple.iChat.Jabber.plist from ~/Library/Preferences

I removed the Google account from Internet accounts.

I then re-added the Google account and activated only Mail (It does not have a Messages option)

I then Added a New Other Account (Scroll the right hand pane's scroll bar)

Choose to add a Messages Account.

I then chose Jabber (All you can do in High Sierra).

I left the settings at NO SSL, Automatically Find Server and Port.

You then have to check the Messages > Preferences > Accounts to see if the account appears there.

IN the Server Setting you will find it is using port 5222 (non SSL port for Jabber) and the Server is gmail.com.

NOTES I have never used Google's 2 Step verification and at the Google Site I have the Security Settings set to Allow Less Secure app which is supposed to allow SSL rather than Google's 2 Step Verification.

In fact now I find it will not allow SSL either.

The Accounts does show it is using TLS instead.

It did take several goes on removing the Google Account I created in Messages in the first place before I got this to work.

8:31 pm Thursday; January 25, 2018

Hi,

That sounds like your User Account is not storing (Writing) the info to the places it should.

Try this first

Resolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder - Apple Support

7:42 pm Friday; January 26, 2018

Hi,

I don't think you are missing anything.

A long time ago there was concern about the Security of SSL connections.

Around the same time Goggle seemed to bring out their Oauth Tokens that seem to be part of their Two Step Verification.

I set the Allow Less Secure apps at that point

GoogleTalk in Messages was still using the Old server (talk.google.com) whilst Mail was using the gmail server.

The reason I mention this is Mail was still being allowed to connect using SSL before I even set the Allow Less secure Apps setting.

AS I said earlier my Messages > Preferences > Accounts > Google > Server Setting tab is set to no SSL, Automatically find Port and Server and that shows port 5222 and the server gmail.com shows.

TO be clear this is what I set in Internet accounts

That is NOT however quite how it looks in Messages:-

If the account is logged out then the options are fully dark so that you can change them.

If it is Logged in then you can Untick the "Enable this account" box in the account info tab.

I don't remember any Pop up that might have to be agreed to to allow the Login from another app appearing from Google.

I would consider Restarting the computer as well at this point.

8:20 pm Friday; January 26, 2018

I tried this scenario and still isn't working. It does let me set up the messages account in Internet Accounts, but then when I check on Messages, the account isn't there. In System Prefs it have a button in the lower right that says Configure in Messages which doesn't do anything. It just makes the noise when you press a button but it doesn't work.

Restarted between all steps just in case and still nothing. Tried using SSL on one attempt. Nothing. It's so frustrating!

The account is visible in System Preferences still, just not visible in Messages. Any other ideas?

Somehow got the jabber account to show up in Messages now. But it won't connect... just tries and then stops trying.

I have it set for the server as gmail.com and the Port to 5223 and turned off the automatically find server and port.

When I choose "use default settings", it starts as port 5223 but if I try to login, it flips to 5222.

I got a message from Google about a blocked sign-in attempt and then it directed me to my gmail settings to Allow less secure apps: I turned it ON

But still can't connect. Is there a secret combination I'm missing here?

I'm having the same issue. Anybody have a solution yet? Really frustrating!

Hi,

The System Preferences > Internet accounts > Google no longer has a Messages option.

Google Accounts need to be added under Other > Messages account.

It seems like it will show more choices but there is Only Jabber (Google use a Jabber server)

I have set mine to use SSL and Find Server and Port automatically.

As a consequence of using SSL I have enabled "Allow less Secure apps" on the Google Accounts > Security page.

IF...

You remembered that Sierra wanted you to Add the Google Account in Messages "First" before enabling Mail in System Preferences > Internet Account and used the option in the Messages Menu to Create a Jabber account you will need to delete the com.apple.iChat.Jabber.plist from ~/Library/Preferences (Drag it to the Trash and then add the account in Internet accounts).

I had done this and it took several goes making sure Messages was Quit and deleting the .plist

At one point I even deleted the Google Account from Internet Accounts before deleting the .plist to make sure any links were finally broken.

9:59 pm Wednesday; January 10, 2018