User profile for user: lorie0488
lorie0488 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Mac Messages sending to email, not cell number

Hello,


I just updated my High Sierra software on 02.01.18 to version 10.13.3 on my MacBook pro (mid 2012) and I've had nothing but problems with my messages app!!


Since the update, my messages are now coming in the correct order but I have one contact that when I message him, it goes to his work email, not to his cell number anymore. Let me clarify, it's actually very random and MOST of the time, my messages go to his email, but a few times it does go to his cell. Why???


I do not have any problems with my messages while using my iPhone, this is strictly a mac issue. In his contact card, there are multiple emails and several numbers, between business and personal contacts. I am unable to deviate from his work email. I cannot change the message "to" to his cell, or even to another email. It's like this particular email is locked in, and I can't change it.


Why is this happening??? I'm so frustrated because his messages to me are 100% of the time from his cell and when I reply, I don't know if it's to his email (which it probably is) or to his cell (which is where it should be going). I'm replying and he's not getting the message.


Any ideas? I've logged out of iCloud and logged back in; checked and unchecked all the boxes; restarted my computer; essentially I've done all the things you usually do when you have a problem.


Thank you bunches in advance!!

MacBook Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.3)

Posted on Feb 2, 2018 5:55 PM

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User profile for user: rose_10
rose_10
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Feb 4, 2018 1:38 PM

Hi lorie0488,

Thanks for reaching out in Apple Support Communities. I understand that you're having trouble with a specific contact when using Messages on your Mac where the messages you send aren't always being sent to the contact's phone number. I know it's important to rely on Messages and I'd like to help. First I'd recommend that you try to start a new conversation in Messages for this contact to see if you're able to select their phone number. If not, you may want to remove the conversation with them entirely and start fresh.

Delete a conversation: Select a conversation, then choose File > Delete Conversation. Or, if you have a trackpad or a Magic Mouse, you can also swipe left with two fingers on the conversation in the sidebar, then click Delete.

If you continue to have trouble you may also want to remove this person from your Contacts and re-add them, at first using only their phone number. Once you've established a conversation with them on their phone number, add the email addresses back to the contact and test again.

Delete a contact: Select a contact, then press the Delete key.

If you select a contact who belongs to a group, click Delete in the message that appears.

Delete contacts or groups

  1. Click the Add button User uploaded file near the bottom of the window, then choose New Contact (or use the Touch Bar).

  2. Click Info, then add contact information.

    Click the gray text next to a field label to enter information. You don’t need to fill in every field—empty fields don’t appear in the contact card.

    • Add a picture: Click Picture, then add a picture.

    • Add a company: Click the Company checkbox. You can enter a company contact person in the First and Last name fields below the Company name field.

    • Include a phone number extension: Enter the phone number, a semicolon (;), then the extension number.

    • Change the ringtone or text tone: Click the tone pop-up menu, then choose the sound you want to hear when the contact calls you on your Mac or sends you a text message.

    • Add a field: Click the Add button User uploaded file, then choose a field. For example, add Profile to include a contact’s Twitter, Yelp, or other social media user name.

    • Change a field’s label: Click the label, then choose a different one. For example, to enter a work email instead of home email, click the label Home, then choose Work. To create your own label, choose Custom.

    • Remove a field: Delete the information in the field, or click the Remove button User uploaded file.

    Note: If you use an Exchange account, those contact cards can include only three email addresses, and there are limits on the number of phone numbers, names, messaging addresses, and street addresses.

  3. Click Done.

Add contacts

Let me know what you find.


Best Regards.
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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: rose_10
rose_10
User level: Community Specialist

Feb 4, 2018 1:38 PM in response to lorie0488

Hi lorie0488,

Thanks for reaching out in Apple Support Communities. I understand that you're having trouble with a specific contact when using Messages on your Mac where the messages you send aren't always being sent to the contact's phone number. I know it's important to rely on Messages and I'd like to help. First I'd recommend that you try to start a new conversation in Messages for this contact to see if you're able to select their phone number. If not, you may want to remove the conversation with them entirely and start fresh.

Delete a conversation: Select a conversation, then choose File > Delete Conversation. Or, if you have a trackpad or a Magic Mouse, you can also swipe left with two fingers on the conversation in the sidebar, then click Delete.

If you continue to have trouble you may also want to remove this person from your Contacts and re-add them, at first using only their phone number. Once you've established a conversation with them on their phone number, add the email addresses back to the contact and test again.

Delete a contact: Select a contact, then press the Delete key.

If you select a contact who belongs to a group, click Delete in the message that appears.

Delete contacts or groups

  1. Click the Add button User uploaded file near the bottom of the window, then choose New Contact (or use the Touch Bar).

  2. Click Info, then add contact information.

    Click the gray text next to a field label to enter information. You don’t need to fill in every field—empty fields don’t appear in the contact card.

    • Add a picture: Click Picture, then add a picture.

    • Add a company: Click the Company checkbox. You can enter a company contact person in the First and Last name fields below the Company name field.

    • Include a phone number extension: Enter the phone number, a semicolon (;), then the extension number.

    • Change the ringtone or text tone: Click the tone pop-up menu, then choose the sound you want to hear when the contact calls you on your Mac or sends you a text message.

    • Add a field: Click the Add button User uploaded file, then choose a field. For example, add Profile to include a contact’s Twitter, Yelp, or other social media user name.

    • Change a field’s label: Click the label, then choose a different one. For example, to enter a work email instead of home email, click the label Home, then choose Work. To create your own label, choose Custom.

    • Remove a field: Delete the information in the field, or click the Remove button User uploaded file.

    Note: If you use an Exchange account, those contact cards can include only three email addresses, and there are limits on the number of phone numbers, names, messaging addresses, and street addresses.

  3. Click Done.

Add contacts

Let me know what you find.


Best Regards.
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User profile for user: lorie0488
lorie0488 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Feb 12, 2018 6:40 AM in response to rose_10

Hi Sarah_s1,


Thank you for your response!


I think I solved my problem. I re-synced my phone after linking some contacts and have had no further issues. I never needed to do that before so the business/personal contacts are now one... which I guess is no big deal, though still not sure why it all had to change.


Deleting the conversation was not an option for me so I researched a bit further and think it's all good now.


Thank you for your help and take care.

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Mac Messages sending to email, not cell number

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