Messages is designed to sync throughout all of your units logged into to the identical iCloud account. iMessages sync by default; SMS/MMS and RCS messages sync should you’ve enabled entry to them out of your iPhone. (Go to Settings > Messages [iOS 17 and earlier] or Settings > Apps > Messages [iOS 18] and underneath Textual content Message Forwarding, resolve which units obtain these.)
When you’ve got Messages in iCloud enabled, syncing and backup happen partly by means of iCloud, creating an archive that’s restored to units should you arrange a brand new laptop, cellphone, or pill.
Nevertheless, readers recurrently report–and I not too long ago noticed myself–that Messages in macOS can lose the figurative and literal thread: you both wait a very long time or by no means see some or all messages obtained on different units. This seems to occur sometimes on iPhones and iPads (or at the least you aren’t emailing us about it). Right here’s what you are able to do to set off the syncing.
Is iMessage not working? Discover out if iMessage is down and how one can repair iMessage issues on iPhone and iPad in our separate article.
Restart
Typically,  > Restart is all you’ll want to get syncing began again up once more.
Use Sync Now
With Messages in iCloud enabled, you may go to Messages > Settings > iMessage and click on Sync Now.
Disable and re-enable Messages in iCloud
When you’ve got Messages in iCloud enabled, additionally go to Messages > Settings > iMessage and uncheck Allow Messages in iCloud. You’ll obtain a immediate that alerts you to what occurs subsequent: Messages downloads all message information to your Mac after which stops syncing. You possibly can decide to click on Disable This Machine, and that turns off Messages in iCloud for this Mac. When you’re having seemingly broader issues, click on Disable All to show it off on all iCloud-linked units.
To re-enable Messages in iCloud, simply test the Allow Messages in iCloud field in macOS. In iOS and iPadOS, go to Settings > Account Identify > iCloud > Messages and allow “Use on this iPhone” or “Use on this iPad.”
Disabling and re-enabling Messages in iCloud would possibly kick your Mac or iCloud servers in the best solution to get syncing restarted.
Apple
Signal out of Messages
Messages (and FaceTime) each have a separate iCloud choice to signal out and again in. Go to Messages > Settings > iMessage, click on Signal Out, and make sure. Now, signal again in.
Once I not too long ago arrange a brand new Mac utilizing Migration Assistant, the whole lot labored after restarting, however my whole Messages historical past was lacking. Signing out and again into Messages began the lengthy obtain course of.
Signal out of iCloud
Signing out of iCloud in your Mac generally is a dangerous thought besides in excessive circumstances, because it tries to make native copies of information and, should you signal again in, can take a very long time to resync and produce duplicate entries, amongst different points. But when not one of the above steps work, it’s worthwhile.
Begin by ensuring you have got a full native backup of all of your recordsdata. In case you are syncing your Images Library with iCloud and are utilizing optimized downloads (in Images > Settings > iCloud), you’ll be prompted to obtain all photos and movies earlier than signing out. Ensure you have sufficient storage if you wish to have an area copy earlier than continuing.
Subsequent, go to System Settings > Account Identify and click on Signal Out. macOS requires affirmation. Your entire iCloud-synced or -linked apps will ask you about how one can cope with regionally saved information and information solely saved in iCloud. Work by means of all of these questions. Now, signal again in.
This Mac 911 article is in response to a query submitted by a Macworld reader.
Ask Mac 911
We’ve compiled a listing of the questions we get requested most steadily, together with solutions and hyperlinks to columns: learn our tremendous FAQ to see in case your query is roofed. If not, we’re all the time on the lookout for new issues to resolve! Electronic mail yours to mac911@macworld.com, together with display captures as applicable and whether or not you need your full identify used. Not each query shall be answered; we don’t reply to emails, and we can not present direct troubleshooting recommendation.
