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Messaging from Mac Mini

I just bought a Mac Mini and I can't message certain people. Seems to be people that have Android phones instead of iPhones.


Mac mini, 13.2

Posted on Feb 12, 2023 11:16 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 12, 2023 11:29 AM

For texting from the Mac to work with non-Apple devices, one has to set up the "text forwarding" just right. Most of the settings are actually on your iPhone, in fact. (If you don't have an iPhone, you can't message from the Mac to non-Apple devices unless you find and install third party tools.)


Here is a checklist/guide:


iMessage checklist


iPhone and Mac both logged in to same Apple ID. Try logging off and logging on if necessary.


iPhone Settings => Messages shows iMessage as "on" (sometimes toggling this off and then on fixes some things)


iPhone Settings => Messages shows Send & Receive showing both phone number and email (Apple ID)


iPhone Settings => Messages shows Text Message Forwarding and your Mac is listed and shown as "on" there.


iPhone Settings => Messages shows Send as SMS "on" and MMS Messaging and Group Messaging both "on"


On the Mac: Messages => Preferences shows same and correct Apple ID and "You can be reached for messages at" indicates both phone number and Apple ID (email), and "start new conversations from" indicates the phone number.


* Don't see the Text Message Forwarding setting on your iPhone? Go to Settings > Messages, turn off iMessage, turn it back on, tap Send & Receive, tap Use Your Apple ID for iMessage, then sign in with the same Apple ID used on your other devices.


Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 12, 2023 11:29 AM in response to JoeApple1960

For texting from the Mac to work with non-Apple devices, one has to set up the "text forwarding" just right. Most of the settings are actually on your iPhone, in fact. (If you don't have an iPhone, you can't message from the Mac to non-Apple devices unless you find and install third party tools.)


Here is a checklist/guide:


iMessage checklist


iPhone and Mac both logged in to same Apple ID. Try logging off and logging on if necessary.


iPhone Settings => Messages shows iMessage as "on" (sometimes toggling this off and then on fixes some things)


iPhone Settings => Messages shows Send & Receive showing both phone number and email (Apple ID)


iPhone Settings => Messages shows Text Message Forwarding and your Mac is listed and shown as "on" there.


iPhone Settings => Messages shows Send as SMS "on" and MMS Messaging and Group Messaging both "on"


On the Mac: Messages => Preferences shows same and correct Apple ID and "You can be reached for messages at" indicates both phone number and Apple ID (email), and "start new conversations from" indicates the phone number.


* Don't see the Text Message Forwarding setting on your iPhone? Go to Settings > Messages, turn off iMessage, turn it back on, tap Send & Receive, tap Use Your Apple ID for iMessage, then sign in with the same Apple ID used on your other devices.


Forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your Mac or iPad - Apple Support


Messaging from Mac Mini

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