IOS 12 combining text messages

First of all Apple is responsible whether they supported it or not, it was something that obviously a lot of people were doing and I can guarantee they knew it. Don't you think it odd that this little "upgrade" was left off the list of things changing with IOS 12? I have had my ID for years and added my daughter before Family Sharing was even an option. Before Family Sharing was an option, if we as a family wanted the same app or song we would have to purchase two copies. That is why we had one ID. Secondly, do not call people stupid when you do not know the circumstances. Resorting to saying things like that only shows your ignorance in having to resort to name calling for lack of an intelligent or helpful response.

Family sharing was not always an option. When I got my first iPhone and added my family, Family Sharing was not an option. So we used one account. Family sharing did not come out until IOS 8 in 2014. I have had an iPhone for much longer than 4 years. Since we had never had a problem with it we did not change. Now the damage has been done and we need a fix. Apple knew this was going to be an issue they had to have known or else they would have added this update to the release notes and they conveniently left that little nugget out. So fix it ASAP. Have iMessage look at not only the Apple ID but also the phone number. I guarantee you there are more people out there that used one Apple ID for their family instead of people who had multiple numbers and wanted to combine their chats which is why they said they were doing it. I call BS. If you wanted to stop people from sharing Apple IDs then just communicate that instead of screwing up our phones. I won't let my family upgrade to the new IOS since mine is the only one effected by this mess.

None of this is relevant. You are NOT talking to Apple. Go whine somewhere else. Your ranting here is not accomplishing anything.

They did not do this in an effort to get people to stop sharing IDs. They made the changes they did based on the assumption that people are smart enough to follow directions to begin with. Since you, apparently, were not, you will have to deal with the fallout of your decision.

Well said! I’m in the exact same boat as you, but we did get our daughter her own Apple ID a year or so ago. It’s been the biggest headache. Now, I can’t be sure if my text messages are going to her or my husband. It’s enough to make me want to switch to a Google phone (after over a decade with an iPhone).

Obviously I upgrade as needed or wouldn't have this issue. My issue is that had I known this was going to be a problem (ie they told anyone what they were doing) we could have fixed it prior to having a problem. They come out with a list of things on the upgrade, this was left off. Had users known this they would have had the opportunity to correct the situation before it happened. From what I understand now the only way to fix it is to delete everything and basically start all over again from scratch. That should not be our only option.

Honestly I don't have any problem setting up the new IDs I just want it to fix what happened without losing my messages or data. And from what I read on here there isn't a way to do it without losing those messages.

And just and FYI, the staff at the Apple store helped me to set up my last purchase using the shared ID. So they can't follow instructions either.

anypats wrote:

Apple employees don’t know everything about their own products. One was quoted in a major publication that wireless charging isn’t good for a phone because it uses its own battery to charge itself.

Oh, my stars!

Okay, I have resurrected a "layperson's" explanation of of the 3 laws of Thermodynamics, courtesy of the Batelle Memorial Institute.

First Law: You can't win

Second Law: You can't break even

Third Law: You can't quit the game

Dou8le wrote:

The actual stupidity here is that Apple enabled text combining via Apple ID's to force users into registering for more accounts to benefit themselves.

How does registering for more accounts benefit Apple? Accounts are free, and Apple must give away 5 GB of iCloud storage for each account. This is one of the more bizarre conspiracy theories I have seen.

There is already a unique identifier among the phones...its called a phone number.

iCloud accounts are not limited to iPhones. What is the unique identifier for an iPad Touch? An iPad? A Mac? A Windows computer with the iCloud for Windows installed? For accessing iCloud through a web browser? All of these can generate and participate in messages. For all of these the only unique identifier is the iCloud ID.

bullying your customers into making a change is the wrong direction, and since the death of steve jobs, that has been their path...

I don't know where you were, but it was Steve Jobs who originally thought of iCloud IDs and Family Sharing.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

Dou8le wrote:

The actual stupidity here is that Apple enabled text combining via Apple ID's to force users into registering for more accounts to benefit themselves.

How does registering for more accounts benefit Apple? Accounts are free, and Apple must give away 5 GB of iCloud storage for each account. This is one of the more bizarre conspiracy theories I have seen.

But, conspiracy theories are just so much more fun than logic.

Millscdm wrote:

Thanks for the parenting advice..... not sure how it’s relevant 🏼♀

You wanted a way to control your teenagers' messaging. There is not currently a technological solution so, Philly offered, based on his experience successfully raising children, an alternate solution.

Actually, I asked for no such thing. I commented on the response that said that family share offered restrictions to point out that they only offered such restrictions if the Apple ID is held by a person under the age of 13. There are many technological methods for placing restrictions on over 13 year old children..... but family share is not one of them. FYI.... the method used in our home is “you ask before you buy”.

Millscdm wrote:

FYI.... the method used in our home is “you ask before you buy”.

We're trying our best to help you but you're not explaining your situation very well. Previously, you stated "I have 3 teens, but I cannot restrict their purchases."

Millscdm wrote:

Actually, I asked for no such thing. I commented on the response that said that family share offered restrictions to point out that they only offered such restrictions if the Apple ID is held by a person under the age of 13. There are many technological methods for placing restrictions on over 13 year old children..... but family share is not one of them. FYI.... the method used in our home is “you ask before you buy”.

Sorry, it was purchases you wanted to restrict, not messages. But, it really doesn't change the meaning of my post.

Millscdm wrote:

The problem with that is that at 13 they are not considered a child by Apple.... I have 3 teens, but I cannot restrict their purchases.

wrong. You can restrict purchases of anyone on your Family share account under 18.