Mac OS · macOS

How To Fix iMessage Not Working on Mac OS

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Answer

First, you should ensure that iMessage is enabled in your Message preferences. Open up your Messages application. From here, click on Messages in your taskbar and then click on Preferences. In the iMessage tab, you can verify if the correct Apple ID is signed in. If this is not the case, sign out of the current account and log back into the correct Apple ID account. Next, you should see one or multiple email accounts or phone numbers. These are the accounts that are reachable using iMessage and your Apple ID. Make sure that the correct account is selected before closing your preferences.

Access Messages Preferences

First, you should ensure that iMessage is enabled in your Message preferences. Open up your Messages application. From here, click on Messages in your taskbar and then click on Preferences.

Messages > Preferences
Messages > Preferences

iMessage Preferences

In the iMessage tab, you can verify if the correct Apple ID is signed in. If this is not the case, sign out of the current account and log back into the correct Apple ID account. Next, you should see one or multiple email accounts or phone numbers. These are the accounts that are reachable using iMessage and your Apple ID. Make sure that the correct account is selected before closing your preferences.

Messages > Preferences > iMessage
Messages > Preferences > iMessage

Test Network Connection

In case the problem persists, then you should make sure that you are using a reliable network connection and that you’re running the latest macOS version. To test your network connection, open up your favorite browser and go to speedtest.net or fast.com. Both sites have a great and quick tool to test your average upload and download speed and server latency.

speedtest.netfast.com
www.speedtest.net
www.speedtest.net

Update Mac OS

In case your network connection seems to be okay, then navigate to your System Preferences. Here, click on Software Update. Make sure to download the latest update. Installing the latest version will require you to restart your Mac. This can, in many cases, also help fix iMessage issues.

System Settings > Software Update
System Settings > Software Update

Disable VPN Connection

In some cases, using a VPN service can cause issues with your Apple ID and, consequently, with your iMessage and FaceTime applications on your devices. It’s suggested to disable your VPN to see if this fixes your problem.

Enable iMessage Notification with Focus Mode

Lastly, you should ensure you’re not currently using a focus mode, which would otherwise disable some notifications, such as iMessage notifications on your Mac. Click on the Control Centre icon in your taskbar to disable any Focus Mode that could be active.

Control Center > Focus
Control Center > Focus

Apply Focus Preferences

In your Focus Preferences, you can also see which notifications are allowed when using a focus mode, in case you wish to still use focus modes while getting iMessage notifications.

System Settings > Notifications & Focus
System Settings > Notifications & Focus

Video walkthrough

If it does not work

  • What could be causing iMessage to not work on my Mac?. There could be a number of reasons why iMessage is not working on your Mac, such as network connection issues, outdated software, or incorrect settings. It's best to troubleshoot and eliminate the possible causes one by one.
  • Can I fix iMessage not working on my Mac by myself?. Yes, you can! The steps involved in fixing iMessage on your Mac are relatively simple and straightforward. With the help of this article, you'll be able to diagnose and fix the issue on your own.
  • What happens if I still can't get iMessage to work on my Mac after trying the steps in this article?. If the steps outlined in this article don't work for you, it may be a more complex issue that requires professional assistance. In that case, it's best to reach out to Apple Support or a certified Mac technician.