Can receive but not send messages

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Level 1

6 points

Can receive but not send messages

As of my boot up this morning, the Messages app on my MacBook Pro will not send any messages, I get a "Not Delivered" next to the text with an "!" . I click on the "!" and I then get a Try Again pop up window but it goes nowhere when I click on the Try Again button. However, I receive every text from outside, as well receive as every text that I send from all of my other devices on every text thread.

I have: signed out and then back in to Messages multiple times; rebooted the MacBook; rebooted in Safe Mode; checked that I start new conversations consistently from my cell # on the MacBook & iPhone.

My MacBook was running High Sierra this morning. Since I had planned to upgrade to Mojave anyway today, I decided to go ahead in the hope that it would fix it. I've now upgraded and yet I have the same issue in Mojave, so it's not OS related.

I have a 2016 13" MacBook Pro / 8Gb.

MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID, null

Posted on Nov 19, 2018 6:36 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ralph-Johns-UK

Level 9

76,795 points

Nov 20, 2018 12:09 PM in response to tcanavan852

HI

Test.

On the Mac version restrict the Receive At list (Messages > Preferences > Accounts > iMessage account) to just the Apple ID. This will make the Start Form drop down disappear as well.

On the iPhone in Settings > Messages > Send and Receive restrict the active IDs to just the iPhone's Own Number (in fact this one can't be turned Off).

This sets the Mac to be only able to send as the Apple ID and the iPhone to only receive as the iPhone Number.

It does not turn Off the link if created but effectively suspends it in appearance.

Back on the Mac start a New Message

Manually enter the iPhone Number including Country Code (in fact if you stick in your name it will not call up the My Card so you can select the number as you are not expected to call yourself).

Now send an iMessage.

If the iPhone doe snot receive it or you get a repeat of the Not Delivered Alert then your Apple ID is not logged in - in the Messages App.

The Issue is Device specific as it uses the Device's Serial Number and App Specific as the Apple iMessages Servers are standalone from all the others. (Ergo another Mac might login to your Apple ID in iMessages and the apps on all computers like iTunes or iCloud itself will work).

IF this is the case you will need this Users Tip When the iMessages account will not Login

It explains more about the Serial Number and how to check.

The Longest part is the long and slow phone call to Apple Support and climbing up the Responders until someone can look at the server info.

Restoring the OS does not work as it is you Apple ID that is blocked by the Apple iMessages servers.

It is therefore and Apple ID issue and free to fix.

8:09 pm Tuesday; November 20, 2018

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Sierra)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 MacBookPro 15" 2016 (High Sierra 10.13.x)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 iPhone 6 iOS 11.x and an iPad (2)

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Answer 2

Nov 21, 2018 11:05 AM in response to tcanavan852

Hi,

You're welcome.

Glad that we were able to help.

7:05 pm Wednesday; November 21, 2018

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Sierra)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 MacBookPro 15" 2016 (High Sierra 10.13.x)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 iPhone 6 iOS 11.x and an iPad (2)

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Answer 3

Nov 21, 2018 10:02 AM in response to tcanavan852

Did you also try this one from later in that same discussion?: cabrownfromottawa Apr 16, 2018 4:05 PM in response

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Answer 4

Nov 20, 2018 1:25 PM in response to tcanavan852

Hi,

The issue with linking the Apple ID and the iPhone Number is that you do see all the iMessages sent to you as they are "Synced" (or Displayed on All Devices) by the link. So if the Mac is not logged in with the Apple ID then the iPhone Number that is also Active will then show the iMessages as a "Sync".

If it was working an you invoked the iCloud syncing on the Mac version in Mojave then again you are likely to see the App Sync all the messages.

The issue can be created if you Migrate one Mac User to another computer and include the Keychain in this.

As mentioned the serial Number is used as part of the verification process that it is your Mac that is logging in.

With the Keychain holding this item and then on another computer the Serial Number is not correct and the issue appears.

IF this might be the case open the Keychain Access app in Applications > Utilities.

In the iCloud Keychain (for Mojave and the Login keychain for earlier versions) find the item that reads IDS: YourAppleID-AuthToken Obviously that will look more like IDS: SomeUserName@someServerName.com-AuthToken than the way I have written it.

If this is a Migrated Keychain then delete the item.

Restart Messages.

If you cannot get the Single Apple ID to send to the iPhone then you will probably have to phone Apple Support.

9:25 pm Tuesday; November 20, 2018

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Sierra)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 MacBookPro 15" 2016 (High Sierra 10.13.x)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 iPhone 6 iOS 11.x and an iPad (2)

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Answer 5

tcanavan852 Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 20, 2018 6:06 AM in response to BDAqua

Thank you BDQua. This did not solve the problem. All of my devices appear to. be in sync as far as receiving all messages. The issue is that I can compose a text on my MacBook Pro but it will not send. I get a "Not Delivered" message. I can then send the same message from another device and it will then appear on the MacBook.

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Answer 6

tcanavan852 Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 20, 2018 1:15 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hi Ralph,

Thank you for your advice. I tried your suggestion. My iPhone did not receive the msg from my Mac and my Mac showed the Not Delivered alert. I tried resetting NVRAM & Safe Boot as well.

However, you suggest that my Apple ID on Messages on my Mac may not be logging in. I have had the problem that you describe with messages on my other computer where it can neither send nor receive messages. However, this problem is different; it RECEIVES every message perfectly! If it could not log in with my Apple ID, how could it be receiving all the messages? (BTW- my serial # displays OK). It seems that I am connected fine to the server, but only in one direction).

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Answer 7

tcanavan852 Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 20, 2018 6:41 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Thanks Ralph. Starting to lose you now due to my limited knowledge. This isn't any migration. I just booted up the other day and Messages decided not to work after working perfectly. I did find the Login Keychain as you'd described. It doesn't match my AppleID though, which ends in ".Mac"; this is "iCloud". Not sure if it makes a difference and I didn't delete it, but it's there.

Pending any other ideas from you or anyone, I guess I'll call support tomorrow and cross my fingers.

I appreciate your help!

Tom

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Answer 8

Nov 20, 2018 11:27 PM in response to tcanavan852

Hi,

Not sure if I have understood what you are saying.

At various times, in earlier versions of Messages I have used other Apple IDs, meaning that in the Keychain I have several IDS items referring to iMessages.

My actual ID is an old email that is not from Apple. It has been linked to iCloud and I received an @me.com email at the time and later an iCloud one as well.

For Mail the @me and @icloud.com ones are linked.

For iMessages the Apple ID you have should be iCloud valid. This might explain what you are seeing, but it does sound more like the fact you have an iCould ID as well and you have tried it in the iMessages login.

To be clear I have two IDS items in the keychain only one of which refers to the ID I use everyday. You may have the same.

toot uncommon’s Login lock and unlock originally posted by Midonz is a good idea as well.

Ralph

(From my iPad)

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