When you see iMessage Not Syncing on Mac, it may be frustrating as it stops you from viewing your messages across Apple devices. Don’t worry, in most cases, the problem is easy to fix. I’m going to show you a few efficient and easy-to-implement solutions.
Before you attempt to deal with the problem, you must be thinking about what’s causing the iMessages not to sync on a computer or other devices.
To execute an appropriate solution, you must understand the actual reason behind the cause.
What Causes iMessages Sync Issues
Apple synchronizes messages from iPhone to Mac or vice versa only when both devices use the same Apple ID. You may also be not able to sync messages along with other iCloud data when the internet is slow or unstable.
In simple terms, when you face iMessages sync issues on Mac, the following reasons might be responsible:
- Both the devices are logged in from different Apple ID
- The iMessage server is down
- Unsuitable and inappropriate iMessages settings
- Outdated Mac operating system
So, before you troubleshoot iMessages-related problems on Mac, make sure that the app is working properly and that no server downtime errors exist. So, let’s learn the ways to fix it.
Check Apple ID & iMessage Address
To fix iMessage syncing issues, first, ensure that the Mac uses the same iMessages address and the Apple ID as you use it on another device. The process of setting up iMessage on your Mac is easy; make sure you follow all the steps carefully.
Also, you would need to check the iMessage server status by navigating to the Apple System Status web page in a web browser. Next, check the indicator displayed next to Apple ID and iMessage.
Apple ID and the iMessage app work in collaboration to enable seamless synchronization across devices. If you see a green light, it indicates that both services are working properly. In addition, the yellow and red lights indicate that the services are temporarily unavailable.
Set Up Date & Time Settings on Mac
Apple may not appropriately sync messages when the date and time settings are behind or don’t match your current location. Connect the internet on your Mac and make sure that the date and time settings are accurate.
To tweak date and time settings, open System Preferences and then tap Date & Time. In the Date & Time window, click on the Date & Time tab and click on the lock icon available in the bottom corner. Type in your Mac password credentials or unlock the Date & Time Preferences page using your Touch ID.
Next, select the Set date and time automatically. Next, tap on the Time Zone tab and tick mark the checkbox available Set the time zone automatically using the current location.
Sync Messages Manually
macOS allows users to sync messages manually from iCloud devices to Mac. So, if you are still wondering why iMessage is not syncing on Mac automatically, you can try this method. To update conversations manually, connect to WiFi on your Mac and follow the steps given below.
To do this, open the Messages app, click on Messages in the menu bar and tap Preferences. Next, click on the iMessages tab and tap on the Sync Now button. Wait for the sync to initiate. The time it takes depends upon your internet speed and the number of messages that need to be synchronized.
Enable Text Message Forwarding
If you see difficulty in iMessages sync on Mac, make sure that the Text Message Forwarding option is enabled on your iPhone. To do this, go to the Settings app on your iPhone and click on Messages. Next, select Text Message Forwarding and toggle the switch next to your Mac to turn on the feature.
However, as stated earlier, make sure that both devices are running over the same Apple ID. Also that your internet connection is stable, and the WiFi is running properly on both iPhone and Mac devices.
If you can’t see your Mac computer on your iPhone’s Text Message Forwarding page, link the computer to the Apple ID running on your iPhone and then retry.
Reboot Your Mac and iPhone
Shutting down the Mac and turning it on can fix many technical and functional glitches or troubleshoot synchronization problems. Before you reboot your Mac, make sure to close all the active apps so that you don’t lose any unsaved data.
To reboot your Mac:
- Click on the Apple logo displayed on the Menu bar and tap on the Restart option from the menu.
- Reset your iPhone by turning it off.
- Wait for a few seconds and turn it on again.
- Check if the messages are syncing properly on your Mac.
So, the above-mentioned workaround methods can help you fix iMessages synchronization issues on Mac; make sure you follow the steps correctly. If you are not able to resolve iMessages sync issues on Mac, contact Apple Support for assistance.
