A couple of users have stated that they are unable to send and /or receive text messages and iMessages on Mac. In this article, I’ll explain exactly how you can troubleshoot this issue.
Users have reported that when they attempt to send a message, they see a little red exclamation mark symbol next to my message, and they cannot resent it.
Using the Messages app on the
Mac,
you can easily send and/or receive SMS text messages (normal text messages) and iMessages (Apple’s messaging service).
Cannot send or receive messages on Mac? Fix
If you cannot send or receive messages on your Mac, here is how you can fix it:
1. Restart your Mac
To restart your Mac, click the Apple menu and select Restart.
2. Sign out and then sign back in
Simply launch Messages, then select Messages and Preferences from the Menu bar. The click Sign out. Then open the Messages app and sign in with your Apple ID.
3. Re-enable the iMessage in the message preferences
Launch the Messages preferences window and select the Accounts tab (Messages > Preferences), select iMessage (left list), Ensure that the checkbox “Enable this account” is checked, if not checked, check the box.
4. Ensure that your Mac is connected to the Internet.
Try to load a page on Safari to check your Internet connection. If you do not have an Internet connection, Consider trying some basic Wi-Fi troubleshooting tips such as restarting your Mac, Router, Wi-Fi spot and much more.
5. Check the date and time settings
You may not be able to send or receive messages on Mac because of your date and time settings. Here is how to fix this. Click Apple menu > System Preferences > and then Date & Time; select the Time Zone tab and the “Set date and time automatically” checkbox, if it is already selected, unselect and wait about 20 seconds and then reselect again. You may need to type in the admin password if the checkbox is dimmed.
6. Check your messages setting
On your Mac, Messages > Preferences > Accounts > iMessages Account; and on your iOS or iPadOS device > Settings > Messages > Send and Receive the account should be same.
7. Lock and unlock the Keychain on your Mac
If you still cannot send or receive messages on Mac, there could be a Keychain problem. Here is how you can fix this problem:
- Open Keychain Access (Launchpad > Keychain Access) then click File and Lock Keychain “Login” and then head over to File > Unlock Keychain “Login”, if asked, type in your admin password. This will rebuild your Keychain Access which may fix the problem when Mac cannot send messages.
8. Force quit Messages app and then reopen it
To force quit Messages app on your Mac, simply follow these steps: Choose Force Quit from the Apple menu () in the upper-left corner of your screen.And then select Messages and click Force Quit. The re-open the Messages app.
9. Contact Apple support
If you still cannot send or receive messages on your Mac, please
contact Apple support.