Messages is design to sync across all your gimmick logged into to the same iCloud account . iMessages sync by default ; SMS / MMS and RCS substance sync if you ’ve enabled access to them from your iPhone . ( Go toSettings > Messages[iOS 17 and earlier ] orSettings > Apps > Messages[iOS 18 ] and underText Message Forwarding , decide which gadget receive these . )
If you haveMessages in iCloud enabled , synchronise and backup man occur in part through iCloud , creating an archive that ’s restored to equipment if you set up a unexampled computer , phone , or tablet .
However , readers regularly account – and I latterly saw myself – that Messages in macOS can recede the figural and literal train of thought : you either wait a long meter or never see some or all messages receive on other devices . This appears to happen infrequently on iPhones and iPads ( or at least you are n’t emailing us about it ) . Here ’s what you could do to spark off the syncing .
Disabling and re-enabling Messages in iCloud might kick your Mac or iCloud servers in the right way to get syncing restarted.
Is iMessage not working ? Find out if iMessage is down andhow to fix iMessage problems on iPhone and iPadin our freestanding clause .
Restart
Sometimes , > Restartis all you need to get syncing started back up again .
UseSync Now
With Messages in iCloud enabled , you could go toMessages > options > iMessageand clickSync Now .
Disable and re-enable Messages in iCloud
If you have Messages in iCloud enabled , also visitMessages > setting > iMessageand uncheckEnable Messages in iCloud . You ’ll incur a prompting that alerts you to what befall next : Messages downloads all messagedata to your Mac and then stops synchronize . you may opt to clickDisable This machine , and that turns off Messages in iCloud for this Mac . If you ’re having ostensibly broader problem , clickDisable Allto turn it off on all iCloud - link devices .
To re - enable Messages in iCloud , just check theEnable Messages in iCloudbox in macOS . In iOS and iPadOS , go toSettings > Account Name > iCloud > Messagesand enable “ Use on this iPhone ” or “ Use on this iPad . ”
Disabling and re - enabling Messages in iCloud might complain your Mac or iCloud server in the right way to get syncing re-start .
Apple
Sign out of Messages
content ( and FaceTime ) both have a separate iCloud selection to sign out and back in . Go toMessages > preferences > iMessage , clickSign Out , and confirm . Now , sign back in .
When I recently set up up a young Mac using Migration Assistant , everything worked after restart , but my entire Messages history was missing . Signing out and back into Messages start the long download process .
Sign out of iCloud
Signing out of iCloud on your Mac can be a bad idea except in uttermost setting , as it tries to make local transcript of data point and , if you signal back in , can take a long time to resync and produce twin entry , among other issues . But if none of the above steps study , it ’s worthwhile .
Start by making sure you have a full local backup of all your files . If you are synchronize your Photos Library with iCloud and are using optimized downloads ( inPhotos > preferences > iCloud ) , you ’ll be prompted to download all picture and videos before signing out . Make certain you have enough entrepot if you want to have a local written matter before proceedings .
Next , go toSystem preferences > Account Nameand clickSign Out . macOS requires ratification . All of your iCloud - synchronise or -linked apps will ask you about how to deal with locally stored datum and datum only stored in iCloud . Work through all of those doubt . Now , sign back in .
This Mac 911 clause is in reception to a dubiousness submitted by a Macworld reader .
Ask Mac 911
We ’ve hoard a lean of the questions we get require most oftentimes , along with reply and links to columns : read our super FAQto see if your question is insure . If not , we ’re always front for new problems to solve ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com , including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used . Not every question will be answer ; we do n’t reply to electronic mail , and we can not provide unmediated troubleshooting advice .
