Several users have reported that they are unable to send and /or receive text messages and iMessages on Mac. This article explains how you can troubleshoot this issue.
See also: iMessage Won’t Send Pictures
Users report that when they attempt to send a message, they see a little red exclamation mark symbol next to my message, and they cannot resent it.
Using the Messages app on the Mac, you can easily send and/or receive SMS text messages (normal text messages) and iMessages (Apple’s messaging service).
If you are having this issue as well (not sending or not receiving), here is how you can fix it:
1- Force quit Messages app and then reopen it. To do this, choose Force Quit from the Apple menu () in the upper-left corner of your screen.And then select Messages and click Force Quit. The re-open the Messages app.
2- Restart your Mac. Simply click the Apple menu and select Restart.
3- Sign out and then sign back in. Open Messages, then select Messages and Preferences from the Menu bar. The click Sign out. Then open the Messages app and sign in with your Apple ID.
4- Open the Messages preferences window and select the Accounts tab (Messages > Preferences), select iMessage (left list), make sure that the checkbox “Enable this account” is checked, if not checked, check the box.
5- Make sure that your Mac is connected to the Internet. Try to load a web site to check your Internet connection. If you do not have an Internet connection, you may try some basic troubleshooting tips like restarting your Mac, Router, Wi-Fi spot etc.
6- Your problem may be because of your date and time settings. Lets resolve this. Click Apple menu > System Preferences > and then Date & Time; select the Time Zone tab and the “Set date and time automatically” checkbox, if it is already selected, unselect and wait a few seconds and reselect again. You may need to enter the admin password if the checkbox is dimmed.
7- On your Mac, Messages > Preferences > Accounts > iMessages Account; and on your iOS device, iPhone or iPad > Settings > Messages > Send and Receive the account should be same.
8- The issue may be because of Keychain problem. Here is how you can resolve this issue:
- Launch Keychain Access (Launchpad > Keychain Access) then click File and Lock Keychain “Login” and then again go to File > Unlock Keychain “Login”, enter your admin password when you are asked. This will rebuild your Keychain Access which may fix this problem.
If you are still having this problem, please contact Apple support.
See also: Change Mac Screenshot Locations
My Keychain certicate for T-mobile expired. Nothing has worked so do you think this is the cause?
No steps solved the issue for me, but I found the cause and I thought it might be useful to include it in this guide as well.
Looks like text message forwarding was disabled on my iPhone.
On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding and make sure your Mac is an enabled device in this list.
Restarting the Messages app on your Mac might be required for this fix to work.
Dude you helped me so much thanks!
Thank you!! Same issue for me. All the other suggestions failed.
thanks! that worked.
YES! Thanks so much – this fix totally worked!! Appreciate your assistance.
You’re the best Thanks! Huge help been trying to solve this for weeks.
How do you add Mac to the list if it’s not there?
Perfect! Simple! Thank you, thank you!
Catalin,
Perfect, thanks!
You’re a GENIUS! That was an easy fix. None of the solutions above worked for me either, until I scrolled down and saw your post! Awesome! Thanks so much! Happy New Year!
Amazing, this was it
Genius!
Fabulous – thank you! I did the other twice to no avail… wish I’d read down to your comment earlier! Many thanks 🙂
Thank you thank you!!!
I think this was my issue as well.
This worked for me too! Just got a new MacBook Air and couldn’t get messages to sync. Perfect and simple solution. Thank you!
Does Start New conversations from have to be the same as on the iPhone?
THANKS OG IT WORKS THANKS TO THE 7TH STEP THAAAAAAAANKS BROOOOOOOOO AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH
THANK YOU SO MUCH !! WORKED LIKE A CHARM – every step was so clear, really appreciate the screen shots – thank you thank you.
Nr. 6 solved my problems! It was very annoying, thank you!
6- Your problem may be because of your date and time settings. Lets resolve this. Click Apple menu > System Preferences > and then Date & Time; select the Time Zone tab and the “Set date and time automatically” checkbox, if it is already selected, unselect and wait a few seconds and reselect again. You may need to enter the admin password if the checkbox is dimmed.
Tim. You’re the man. The keychain process worked. This was driving me nuts. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much for posting! The keychain reset #8 fixed my issue. You are wonderful.
Thank you! The keychain reset worked.
Thank you Tim! I’ve been looking to fix this for ages and the forwarding worked. Check out Tim’s solution above. thx!