Messages Not Working
Apple macOS
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
When iMessage stops working on Mac, messages either fail to send, show as delivered but not received, or you see 'Not Delivered' under a message. Common causes include a failed Apple ID session, your phone number not being linked to iMessage, or a poor internet connection. Signing out and back into Messages usually fixes the issue.
Affected Models
- MacBook Air
- MacBook Pro
- iMac
- Mac Mini
- Mac Studio
Common Causes
- Your Apple ID session in Messages has expired and needs to be refreshed
- Your phone number is not enabled for iMessage on your Mac
- The person you are messaging is not reachable — their device is off or they have poor signal
- iMessage servers are temporarily experiencing an outage
- A network issue or VPN is blocking Messages from connecting to Apple's servers
How to Fix It
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Sign out of Messages and back in. Open Messages, go to Messages menu > Settings > iMessage tab. Click Sign Out. Restart your Mac, then open Messages and sign in with your Apple ID.
This is the most reliable fix for iMessage errors. It refreshes your authentication with Apple's servers.
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Make sure your phone number is enabled. Go to Messages > Settings > iMessage. Under 'You can be reached for messages at,' make sure your phone number has a checkmark next to it.
If your phone number is not checked, people texting your number will not reach you on Mac.
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Check Apple's iMessage server status. Visit apple.com/support/systemstatus and look for Messages. If there is a yellow or red indicator, there is an outage on Apple's end — wait for Apple to fix it.
iMessage outages are rare but do happen, especially around major Apple events or software release days.
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Check your internet connection. iMessage requires an internet connection to work on Mac. Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi and other apps can access the internet.
Try opening Safari to confirm you have internet. If Safari works but Messages does not, disable any VPN you might be using.
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Force-quit and reopen Messages. Press Command + Option + Escape, select Messages from the Force Quit window, and click Force Quit. Then reopen Messages.
Sometimes the Messages app gets into a bad state and just needs to be restarted.
When to Call a Professional
You should never need professional help for iMessage problems. If iMessage has never worked on your Mac since you bought it, check that your Apple ID is enabled for iMessage in Messages preferences. Apple Support can help verify your account settings if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are some messages blue and some green?
Blue messages are sent via iMessage, which uses the internet and is free. Green messages are sent as standard SMS text messages through your phone carrier. On Mac, you can only send blue iMessages unless you have an iPhone nearby with SMS forwarding enabled.
iMessage works on my iPhone but not my Mac. Why?
Both devices need to be signed into the same Apple ID for iMessage to work across them. Also, go to Messages > Settings > iMessage on your Mac and make sure iMessage is turned on. Sometimes the checkbox gets unchecked after a macOS update.
Can I send SMS text messages from my Mac?
Yes — if you have an iPhone, you can enable SMS forwarding. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding and enable your Mac. This allows green SMS messages to appear in the Messages app on your Mac.