How to Troubleshoot iMessage Not Working on MacBook Air/Pro [Step-by-Step Guide]

iMessage is Apple's comprehensive messaging service, available across all its platforms and devices. It is Apple's top-notch and secure free service offered to users, facilitating excellent communication experiences.

Often, iMessage fails to work even on the Mac! Are you wondering why iMessage is not working on Mac? There could be common issues; for instance, a picture might fail to load after iMessage has been idle for a long time on a Mac in sleep mode.

If you encounter the issue where iMessage is not working on your Mac, don't worry. We'll present 7 tried-and-true methods to resolve this problem:

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iMessage can be found within the Messages app on your Mac. To locate it, navigate to "Messages > Preferences" and select "iMessage." Enable iMessage by going to "Settings > Toggle" within Messages in iCloud.

Without further ado, let's explore the reasons behind iMessage not working on Mac and the possible solutions.

Why Isn't iMessage Working on My Mac?

There could be numerous reasons behind iMessage not working on your Mac. Initially, there might be an issue with Apple's iMessage server, or possibly a glitch within the Messages app itself. Alternatively, your settings might require some tweaking. Another possible reason is that you might need to update your Mac if your iMessage is not functioning properly.

Go to "Settings > [Mac] System Preferences > Software Update" to check if your macOS has been updated. You'll receive a notification if the macOS has been updated. Before addressing specific issues, let's explore the solutions to fix iMessage not working on your Mac.

How to Troubleshoot iMessage Not Functioning on Mac

Since iMessage on your Mac is not functioning properly, you should consider the following 7 methods to resolve the iMessage not working issue:

Method 1: Ensure iMessage is Properly Activated

Before troubleshooting, make sure you have properly enabled iMessage on your Mac. Follow these steps:

Step 1. On your MacBook Pro/Air, launch "Messages." If it's not already in the Dock, you can find it within the Applications list, specifically in the Finder.

Step 2. Using your Apple ID, you need to sign in to Messages. Here, it's crucial to complete the two-factor authentication process.

Step 3. You can now access your messages. At this point, you'll notice the contact numbers displayed instead of the contact names.

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Method 2: Reset iMessage and Restart Your MacBook

You might restart your system daily, and such a reboot can help fix numerous issues. However, don't overlook resolving problems with iMessage. In this scenario, you need to turn off iMessage, restart your device, and then turn iMessage back on again! Here are the steps to reset iMessage on your Mac: 1. Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of the screen and select "System Preferences" from the dropdown menu. 2. From the list of preferences, choose "Messages." 3. In the Messages window, click on the "Preferences" button located in the top right corner. 4. Under the "Accounts" tab, you'll see your Apple ID. Next to it, uncheck the box for "Enable this account" to disable iMessage. 5. Close the Preferences window and then quit the Messages app by clicking on "Messages" in the top menu bar and selecting "Quit Messages." 6. Now, restart your Mac. 7. After your Mac has restarted, open the Messages app again. 8. Go to "Preferences" as before, and under the "Accounts" tab, check the box next to your Apple ID to re-enable iMessage. 9. Finally, click "Sign In" (or "Allow" if prompted) to authenticate and reconnect to iMessage using your Apple ID. By following these steps, you should successfully reset iMessage on your Mac, potentially resolving any issues you were experiencing.

Step 1. Launch the Messages application and select "Messages > Settings" from its menu bar.

Step 2. Open the iMessage tab and deselect "Enable Messages in iCloud" under your Apple ID.

Step 3. Restart your MacBook Pro/Air by selecting "Restart" from the Apple menu in the top-left corner. After the restart, you'll need to re-enable the iMessage setting.

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Method 3: Restart the Message App using Activity Monitor

This approach assists you in troubleshooting any unresponsive apps on your Mac. If an application is set to run in the background, clicking on the app icon in the Mac Dock might not open the Messages app. In this case, you need to use the Activity Monitor to completely close the Messages app. To restart the Messages app using the Mac Task Manager, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press "Command + Space" keys, and search for Activity Monitor.

Step 2. Press the "Return" key to start the app.

Step 3. Locate and select the Messages app from the list. macOS will completely close the Messages app when you click the "X" in the top corner of the window.

Once that's done, reopen the messaging app; everything should be working normally now.

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Method 4: Sign Out and Sign Back In to iMessage

This is another optimal solution to resolve the issue of iMessage not functioning on your Mac. On occasions, the Messages application might fail to authenticate your Apple account on the Mac. You need to sign out of your Apple account and then sign back in. To do this, follow the steps below: 1. Open the "Messages" app on your Mac. 2. Click on "Messages" in the menu bar at the top of the screen. 3. Select "Preferences" from the dropdown menu. 4. In the Preferences window, click on the "Accounts" tab. 5. Under the "Accounts" section, locate your Apple ID and click on it. 6. Click on the "Sign Out" button that appears next to your Apple ID. 7. A confirmation dialog box will appear. Click "Sign Out" again to proceed. 8. Wait for the account to be signed out completely. 9. Now, click on the "+" or "Add Account" button to sign back in. 10. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted. 11. Choose "iMessage" as the service you want to enable. 12. Click "Continue" and follow any additional prompts to complete the sign-in process. After signing back in, your iMessage should start working properly on your Mac.

Step 1. Launch the Messages application on your Mac.

Step 2. Click on the "Messages" option situated next to the Apple symbol at the top, and then open "Preferences."

Step 3. After accessing the iMessage tab, choose the "Sign Out" option situated next to the Apple ID.

Authenticate using the same Apple ID. To confirm that your Mac is retrieving new messages, restart the Messages app.

Method 5: Disabling Focus Mode on Mac

While in Focus mode on your Mac, Messages won't interrupt you with new iMessage notifications. To disable Focus mode on your Mac, follow these steps:

Step 1. Visit the notification center.

Step 2. Choose "Show Latest" or disable focus on Mac from the Control Center menu.

Method 6: Sync iMessage Manually

Once you've activated iMessage on your Mac, it's crucial to make sure everything is synchronized correctly. One common reason why iMessage might not be working on your Mac is an issue with syncing. To manually sync iMessage, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open Messages on your MacBook. You can find it in the Applications list within the Finder.

Step 2. Click on "Messages" in the menu bar.

Step 3. Choose "Preferences" to open it.

Step 4. Choose "iMessage".

Step 5. Check the box that says "Enable Messages in iCloud."

Step 6. Click the red "X" button to close the window, and your changes will be saved automatically.

Now, your messages should synchronize automatically. If they don't, try repeatedly going to "Preferences" and selecting the "Sync Now" option under the iMessage tab. If that doesn't work, log out of Messages and then log back in again.

If you're unable to locate certain messages or accidentally deleted data from iMessage, we recommend a powerful data recovery software called tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. This tool can help recover various file types in different scenarios, including undeleting iMessages on Mac.

Install the data recovery tool and recover your lost/deleted iMessage data with just a few clicks:

Step 1. Select the partition where your lost/deleted iMessages are stored.

Step 2. Click "Scan" and select the data you wish to restore.

Step 3. Click "Recover" to retrieve the data and save it to a secure location.

Method 7: Update macOS

You must verify your macOS to ensure it has the latest update if the problem persists. If your MacBook is running an unsupported version, attempting to upgrade it to the newest release can help you access the most recent iMessage features. Here are the steps to update your macOS:

Step 1. Choose "System Preferences" from the Apple menu,

Step 2. Click on "Software Update" to search for the most recent updates.

Step 3. Click "Update Now" to update macOS.

Conclusion

The solutions to the "iMessage not working on Mac" issue are outlined above; hopefully, one will prove effective for you. Contrary to popular belief, iMessage holds significant importance worldwide.

While other regions have embraced messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, iMessage remains the default choice in the United States. As a result, productivity might be hindered during iMessage outages. Fortunately, you can address this issue using the solutions outlined above.

iMessage Not Working on Mac Frequently Asked Questions

Browse through the following FAQs to better comprehend the issue of iMessage not working on Mac:

1. How do I activate iMessage on my MacBook?

Before your MacBook can function with iMessage, you need to set it up initially. This involves entering your Apple ID and password within the Mac's Messages app. Once done, tap the sign-in option. Ensure that you use the same Apple ID across all devices for seamless functionality.

2. Why can't I connect my iPhone Messages to my Mac?

"Messages > Preferences > Messages" can be located by opening the application on your Mac. Ensure that the same Apple ID is signed in on both devices.

It would be beneficial if you confirmed the Text Message Routing on your iPhone to ensure that your Mac has been enabled by navigating back to the previous screen. If it is listed, remove your Mac from the list, and then restart your iOS device.

3. Why is my iMessage suddenly not functioning?

If iMessage suddenly stops functioning, it could be due to an unreliable network connection or insufficient data. Since iMessage relies on a broadband connection, it requires access to 3G, 4G (or 5G) network, or a strong WiFi signal to operate properly.

If you don't have a WiFi or cellular connection, your iMessage won't be able to send. Try performing a quick search on Safari to check if you can access the internet.

4. Why am I not receiving text messages on my MacBook?

Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet. To check your connectivity, attempt to open a webpage in another web-based application, such as Safari. Furthermore, confirm that the date and time on your Mac are correctly set. Double-check the accuracy of the contact's email address or phone number if it has been entered.