Setting Up Imessage On Mac

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Messages User Guide

Imessage

How to set up iMessage on Mac. Open the Messages app from your app menu bar (also called the dock). If it isn't already there, you can find it in the Applications folder in Finder. How to set up iMessage on Mac Launch Messages from your desktop, dock, or Applications folder. By default, the Messages app will use your Apple ID to log you in. In case that doesn't happen, enter your Apple ID email address and password.

Use iMessage to send unlimited messages to friends who use iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.

If you have an iPhone with iOS 8.1 or later, you can also send SMS messages to any mobile phone from your Mac. See Set up iPhone to get SMS texts on Mac.

Set up iMessage

  1. In the Messages app on your Mac, enter your Apple ID and password, then click Sign In.

    • Make sure to sign in using the same Apple ID on every device. See the Apple Support article Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch.

    • If you forgot your Apple ID or password, or if you need to create an Apple ID, go to the Apple ID account website.

  2. Choose Messages > Preferences, click iMessage, then select any of the following options:

    • Store your messages in iCloud: Select “Enable Messages in iCloud.” See Use Messages in iCloud.

    • You can be reached for messages at: Select the email addresses or phone numbers that other people can use to send you messages.

      See the Apple Support article Add or remove your phone number in Messages or FaceTime.

    • Send read receipts: If you select this, people who send you messages see when you’ve read them.

      You can also send read receipts for a conversation only.

    • Start new conversations from: Choose the email address or phone number that you want to use for starting new conversations.

      This option is only available if you have more than one email address or phone number listed under “You can be reached for messages at.”

You can also set up name and photo sharing and notifications.

Stop using iMessage

If you don’t want to see messages on your Mac, you can just sign out.

  1. In the Messages app on your Mac, choose Messages > Preferences, click iMessage, then select Settings.

  2. Select Sign Out, then confirm that you want to sign out. When you sign out of iMessage, you no longer receive messages.

Note: To stop receiving messages sent to your phone number, deselect the phone number under “You can be reached for messages at.” See the Apple Support article Add or remove your phone number in Messages or FaceTime.

See alsoSend messages on MacChange iMessage preferences in Messages on MacApple Support article: Use Messages with your MacApple Support article: If you can’t sign in to your iMessage account or FaceTime on your Mac

Set up your phone number

On your iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings > Messages and make sure that iMessage is on. You might need to wait a moment for it to activate.
  2. Tap Send & Receive. If you see “Use your Apple ID for iMessage,” tap it and sign in with the same Apple ID that you use on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch.
  3. In the 'You can receive iMessages' section, make sure that your phone number and Apple ID are selected.
  4. Go to Settings > FaceTime and make sure that your phone number and Apple ID are selected in the 'You can be reached by FaceTime at' section.

On your other devices, you can now turn on the phone number that you just set up:

If you use this feature and share your Apple ID with someone, you can't prevent them from seeing your conversations. Instead of using the same Apple ID as someone else, set up Family Sharing.

Remove your phone number

If you don't want calls or messages for your iPhone on your iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, you can remove your phone number. There are two ways to do this:

  • On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Select your Apple ID at the bottom of the screen and tap Sign Out. Then go to Settings > FaceTime, select your Apple ID and tap Sign Out.
  • If the phone number that you want to remove belongs to an iPhone that you can't access, change your Apple ID password. This removes all phone numbers from your iPad, iPod touch, and Mac. Calls or messages for the removed numbers won't appear on those devices anymore.

If you have questions, contact Apple Support.

Turn your phone number on or off for your Mac

After you set up your phone number, you can turn it on or off for Messages and FaceTime on your Mac.

  1. Open Messages or FaceTime. If asked, sign in with the Apple ID that you're using with Messages and FaceTime on your iPhone.
  2. For Messages, choose Messages > Preferences, then click iMessage. For FaceTime, choose FaceTime > Preferences, then click Settings.
  3. Turn your phone number on or off:
    • To turn on your phone number, select it and your Apple ID in the list. If you don't see your phone number, get help with your settings or contact Apple Support. If you see a number that isn't yours, change your Apple ID password.
    • To turn off your phone number, deselect it in the list.
  4. If you want recipients to see your phone number and not your Apple ID, select your phone number from the “Start new conversations from” or ”Start new calls from” pop-up menu.

Learn how to make messages that you send and receive on your iPhone appear on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch.

Turn your phone number on or off for your iPad or iPod touch

After you set up your phone number, you can turn it on or off for Messages and FaceTime on your iPad or iPod touch.

  1. For Messages, go to Settings > Messages and make sure that iMessage is on. If asked, sign in with the Apple ID you're using with Messages and FaceTime on your iPhone. Then tap Send & Receive.
  2. For FaceTime, go to Settings > FaceTime. If asked, sign in with the Apple ID that you're using with Messages and FaceTime on your iPhone.
  3. Turn your phone number on or off:
    • To turn on your phone number, select it and your Apple ID in the “You can be reached” section. If you don't see your phone number, get help with your settings or contact Apple Support. If you see a number that isn't yours, change your Apple ID password.
    • To turn off your phone number, uncheck it.

Learn how to make messages that you send and receive on your iPhone also appear on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch.

If you can't see or select your number in Messages or FaceTime

  1. Make sure that you're using the latest software for your Mac or iOS device.
  2. Make sure that you correctly followed the iPhone steps to set up your phone number. You should be using the same Apple ID on all of your devices.
  3. In the “You can be reached” section of Messages and FaceTime settings, make sure that there are checkmarks beside your phone number and Apple ID:

Setting Up Imessage On Mac

If your phone number is unchecked and you can't select it, or you have some other issue, follow these steps:

  1. On your Mac:
    • In Messages, choose Messages > Preferences, then click iMessage. Click Sign Out.
    • In FaceTime, choose FaceTime > Preferences, then click Sign Out.
  2. On your iPhone, iPad, and iPod:
    • Go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Tap your Apple ID, then tap Sign Out.
    • Go to Settings > FaceTime. Tap your Apple ID, then tap Sign Out.
  3. On your iPhone:
    • Go back to Settings > Messages and make sure that iMessage is turned on.
    • Tap Send & Receive, then choose “Use your Apple ID for iMessage” and sign in with your Apple ID.
  4. Using the same Apple ID, sign back in to Messages and FaceTime on your other devices.

Imessage On Mac Computer

If you still need help, change your Apple ID password and repeat the setup steps. If that doesn't work, contact Apple Support.