My iphone is combining i-messages to unrelated contacts

Since I've updated my Iphone 7 to IOS12, it has started combining I-messages to unrelated people that have separate contact cards in my contact list. It is definitely NOT sent as a group chat. Rather embarrassing actually. How to fix? Thanks.

iPad Air Wi-Fi, Cellular, iOS 11.1.1

Posted on Sep 28, 2018 1:55 PM

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6 replies

Oct 3, 2018 5:01 PM in response to bison716

This is an issue quite a few of us have been having. I'm going to go out on a ledge and assume that these two people are family members and they share an Apple ID or have shared an Apple ID previously. Even though you have them in your phone separately, Apple combines them on the server side and assumes they are the same person.


Unfortunately there is no fix for this issue. The people whose messages are combining need to create separate Apple ID's and utilize Family Sharing. Sadly, people are reporting that this still does not fix the issue and will not unmerge threads once they are merged.

Sep 30, 2018 11:12 AM in response to bison716

Hi bison716,

Thanks for posting in Apple Support Communities. From your post, I see that your iMessages may be sending to unintended contacts.

Does this happen with any contacts you use, or does it seem to happen with a select few?

You mentioned the message doesn't appear to be sent as a group chat; to clarify, what exactly does it look like when it sends?

Have you checked your Contacts app to see if there might be any information common between these contacts? For example, an email address entered for an incorrect contact? You can use the steps here to Manage and delete contacts on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch .

I hope this helps.

Take care.

Sep 30, 2018 11:31 AM in response to jeremy_v

Thanks for getting back to me Jeremy. So far, I've only seen this with 2 specific contacts. What happens is, that when I text one, all the information is shared on both existing contact strings. They are definitely not being sent as a group message. I re-checked both contact cards and could not find any common information. I then deleted both people out of my contact list and set them up again. They both have unique cell phone numbers and unique email addresses. Same deal still. Any I-messages to either one shows up under both names. Any other ideas to try? Thanks ..... Rick

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My iphone is combining i-messages to unrelated contacts

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