iOS12 merging iMessage conversations

Hi there,

I have an iPhone 7+ and ever since upgrading have had the same issue! I can no longer message my parents, aunties and uncles and sister, as each family shares an iCloud account and Apple ID - I have no idea what to do!

This is so silly as if I was in an emergency, how would i let them know?

That is not a 'simple' solution.

I get where Apple is coming from with them not wanting individuals sharing a single apple ID or iCloud account, however Apple should be listening to their customers first, not ignoring what their customers are saying about the update.

First of all, Apple invites you to share an iCloud account so long as done with family sharing where everyone has their own Apple ID.

Second, this is not a solution. I have done this for my family and the issue persists. It also creates safety/security problems for families outside of the messaging error that is less than ideal.

MisterCrook wrote:

First of all, Apple invites you to share an iCloud account so long as done with family sharing where everyone has their own Apple ID.

False. You obviously don't understand how Family Sharing works. You may want to read up on it a bit.

I don't need to read up on it, I actually use it. I am the family organizer. I invited each of my family members to join the family group, which they did. When I added each member, Apple asked if I wanted to share my iCloud storage with them and I selected yes. This would mean that we are sharing a single iCloud plan. I pay for it, they use it.

Now maybe your understanding of iCloud is different than mine which would explain the miscommunication. However, if what you're saying is true, then there is a much more serious glitch whereby iOS 12 is telling users that they can share iCloud storage when they actually can't. I would be curious to know this.

Regardless, setting up multiple Apple IDs does not solve the iMessage merging on it's own. There's clearly some latent code that somehow still identifies a contact as being under a previous Apple ID.

iCloud is storage, it is nothing but storage. When you share iCloud storage, you are sharing an iCloud account. I think what you are referring to is an Apple ID which in most cases is connected to a single iCloud storage account. However, in the case of Family Sharing, multiple Apple IDs are connected to a single storage account.

From Apple...

"Family Sharing makes it easy for you and up to five family members to share iTunes, Apple Books, and App Store purchases, an Apple Music family plan, and an iCloud storage plan. Your family can also share a photo album and a family calendar, and even help locate each other’s missing devices."

That will only happen if multiple people are using the same iCloud account. The solution is simple. Tell them not to do that. Sharing iCloud accounts has NEVER been supported.

There Is nothing wrong with a family sharing an iCloud account, especially when there are little kids. That is not the solution to this problem

Sharing iCloud storage is not the same as sharing an iCloud account. Please go back and read the information on family sharing.