Why is iMessage combining two contacts into one thread. I can only text back the last one that messaged me. This started with iOS 12

appleforumuserguy wrote:

Philly_Phan wrote:

Each person receiving a new Apple ID should thoroughly cleanse her/his iOS device(s) as follows:

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

If I setup a new ID for my wife, is it necessary to wipe the device as if I were going to sell it? I don't really want her to lose all the apps she has downloaded or have to take the time to download them all again since our home internet is slow. I assume I cannot restore from a backup that was backed up under the old (my) Apple ID when she is logged in to her new ID? After setting up the new ID, I will setup the family sharing feature for future use and other reasons.

There is no way to determine if it's "necessary" in any individual instance but sharing an Apple ID does propagate issues throughout the phone and this is a sure way to completely eliminate all effects of ID sharing. If you're lucky, it's not necessary in your case. Yes, you're correct about the backup.

darthbenji wrote:

So if I set up family sharing does that fix the issue? My daughter has always had her own ID that she uses to sign into iMessage and FaceTime. Her device is signed into iTunes and the App Store with my ID. Will using family sharing solve this or is it too late?

It's not that simple. At a minimum, she will have to redownload the music and apps (at no charge). There is a slight possibility that other issues remain. The only way to be SURE is to completely wipe the iPhone and start all over again. I wouldn't do that unless absolutely necessary.

If Apple, indeed, does not read these forums, it would probably be best if everyone filled out the feedback form to Apple with this issue. It may be the only way that they will hear about this madness. The link is below. Click away and let them know what's going on! I know this issue has been featured in some articles but it would be nice if the media really did pick up on this.

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

ios12isverybad wrote:

It just seems that if two contacts had any relationship/links at any point in the past, they are linked forever.

Yes, it can be very ugly. You really should start with this. It's a PIA but it's an extensive iPhone clearing.

https://appleid.apple.com/faq/#!&page=faq

Specifically:

Can I share an Apple ID with someone else?

Your Apple ID should not be shared with anyone else. It provides access to personal information including contacts, photos, device backups, and more. Sharing your Apple ID with someone else means you are giving them access to all your personal content and may lead to confusion over who actually owns the account. To share iTunes & App Store purchases, photos, a calendar, and more with someone else, try Family Sharing, iCloud Photo Sharing, or other easy-to-use sharing features.

Once you make the mistake of sharing an ID, many other things happen under the hood. The best way out of this situation is to start all over again.

First, do this for you, your wife AND all children.

Then ensure that absolutely NO TWO INDIVIDUALS shares an Apple ID.

Finally, each person should redownload the desired apps, music, movies, etc.

If you don't like this solution, please don't whine about it. Use your phone in whatever manner you wish. It's not really my concern.

You could also just help a few people to get to 150 points, and you can then report to the Hosts directly. All it takes is for 15 people who post original requests for help to say you solved their problem, or 30 to say you helped them.

See: Learn, share, and get awards in Apple Support Communities

nathaliefromwhitehorse wrote:

We have created separate Apple ID and still having this issue. Any idea why?

Yes. When you shared an Apple ID, some "under the hood" items were adversely affected. You need to do this for all affected phones. Then, redownload all music, movies, apps, etc.

Whtlghtnn wrote:

...worse case I have them set up a separate iCloud login for my wife without losing a single thing!

Worst case? That's the only way.

Be forewarned that the issue may have permeated "under the hood" and additional PIA activity may be necessary.

No matter what some other post said, it is NOT OK to share an Apple ID, and Apple has been clear about that for years.

See: https://appleid.apple.com/faq/#!&page=faq

Specifically:

Can I share an Apple ID with someone else?

Your Apple ID should not be shared with anyone else. It provides access to personal information including contacts, photos, device backups, and more. Sharing your Apple ID with someone else means you are giving them access to all your personal content and may lead to confusion over who actually owns the account. To share iTunes & App Store purchases, photos, a calendar, and more with someone else, try Family Sharing, iCloud Photo Sharing, or other easy-to-use sharing features.

PattiinCA wrote:

They do share an Apple ID, but according to another post on this thread, Apple says that is okay.

I have no clue what you are talking about but Apple has NEVER made such a statement. An Apple ID can (and should) be shared among DEVICES but ABSOLUTELY NOT among HUMANS. My ID is shared with my iPhone, my logon on an iMac and my logon on an MBP. It is not shared with any human. My wife does the same thing with her ID.

PattiinCA wrote:

When is Apple going to fix this “bug.?”

Never because it's not a "bug." It's a problem that YOU caused and YOU must correct it. Further, some issues may have permeated "under the hood" and there are several steps involved for correction.

1. Eliminate all Apple ID sharing among humans.

2. For all those devices involved, do the following: What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

3. Reload all your apps, music, movies, etc.

barbara159 wrote:

The thing is ... once we noticed the problem, the two others who shared my AppleId ... created their own. Still happening. And only on MY phone, not theirs.

Once the mistake has been made, simply eliminating the sharing will not fix the problem. There are issues "under the hood" and further action is necessary for all affected phones:

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Then reload all apps, music, movies, etc. You will not be charged.

Did you see this? Seems like this might be what everyone was clamoring for. Maybe I’m reading it wrong.

About iOS 12 Updates - Apple Support

Resolves an issue that caused messages to be merged into one thread when two users were signed in with the same Apple ID on multiple iPhones

No, we were not wrong. If you were not sharing Apple IDs this would never have been a problem in the first place.

See: https://appleid.apple.com/faq/#!&page=faq and look at the 4th question and answer.

JM10JM10JM wrote:

That is incorrect. I refer you to the current Apple Support Community Use Agreement which spells out the terms of use in the link at the bottom of this very page. In section 1, item 13, you will see the email which I just referred to. It's not helpful to give advice on topics with which you are unfamiliar. Response to that email address have been, in fact, very helpful.

Read the whole paragraph that you referenced (emphasis added). Just the fact that the hosts removed the email address from your post is pretty good evidence that it is not the appropriate place for your issue.

For questions or problems regarding your Apple Support Communities account, please post a question in the Using Apple Support Communities site, or email communityaccounts@apple.com