How to get iphone messages on mac

We're going to assume you've already set up and are using iMessage on your iPhone. If not, you can learn all about how to do that in Everything You Need to Know About Messages, the iPhone Texting App.

1. On your iPhone, to go Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. You'll need the information shown on this screen for your Mac settings.

   
   

2. On your Mac, open the Messages app.
   

3. Click the Messages menu.
   

   
   

4. Click Preferences.
   

5. Click the iMessage tab.
   

   
   

6. Confirm the Apple ID you're logged into here is the same as the one you use on your iPhone. If not, click Sign Out and then sign in with that Apple ID.

7. Check all the boxes in the You can be reached for messages at: section that are checked on your iPhone (see Step 1 for that information). This way, when someone texts you—to your phone number or any email address you may use with iMessage—they will arrive on both devices.

8. Match the Start new conversations from: drop-down on your Mac to the same setting on the iPhone. It ensures that any new message you send will be attached to the same phone number or email address on both devices and stay in a single message thread.

Why Are My iMessages Not Syncing Between iPhone and Mac?

Syncing iMessage between iPhone and Mac usually works flawlessly, but sometimes messages get out of sync. In that situation, here are some other commons causes of, and solutions to, this problem:

• The texts are SMS, not iMessage: iMessages are not the traditional, standard text messages that any phone can send. iMessage is an Apple technology that only works on Apple devices. You can tell a standard SMS because of its green bubble, whereas iMessages have blue bubbles. Only iMessages can sync to a Mac (though the iPhone supports both kinds of text).
• You're signed into the wrong Apple ID: If you signed in with different Apple IDs on your Mac and iPhone, all of your messages might not sync between the devices. Make sure to sign in to the same Apple on iPhone (Settings > [your name]) and Mac (Messages > Messages > Preferences > Apple ID).
• Not all phone numbers and email addresses are enabled: Since you can get iMessages delivered to both your phone number and email addresses, you have to make sure all of your numbers and addresses are set up on your Mac and iPhone. If they're not, that could explain why messages are only showing up on one device. Match the settings on iPhone (Settings > Messages > Send & Receive) and Mac (Messages > Messages > Preferences > You can be reached for messages at) and see if that fixes the problem.
• You're not using Messages on both devices: The Messages app can only sync texts between Mac and iPhone if you're using the same app on both devices. There are many alternative text message apps available on the iPhone that you could be using. If you do not see texts sync, make sure you're using Apple's pre-installed Messages app on both devices.
  

FAQ

• How do I sync iMessage history to Mac?

  Turn on Messages in iCloud. From your iPhone, select Settings > your name > iCloud > and move the toggle to the right (on) next to Messages. To turn on Messages in iCloud on your Mac, go to Messages > Preferences > iMessage > and check the box beside Enable Messages in iCloud.

• How do I sync contacts to iMessage on Mac?

  Connect your iPhone and Mac to iCloud and turn on contact syncing. Go to System Preferences > iCloud > and select Contacts on your Mac. Repeat the steps on your iPhone; tap Settings > your name > iCloud > and toggle on Contacts.

  Why won't my iPhone Messages connect to my Mac?

  Solution 1. On your iPhone: Go to Settings > Messages > Toggle off iMessage > Wait a few seconds and turn it back on. On your Mac: Open the Messages app and click on Preferences > Choose Accounts> Click Sign Out > Wait a few seconds then sign back in.

  Can I get my iPhone text messages on my computer?

  Sign in to your iPhone and Mac PC with the same Apple ID. Go to the settings on your phone and then tap “messages.” Inside this section, activate the text message forwarding setting and grant permission to your Mac PC. On both your iPhone and Mac PC, activate the iCloud messages.

  How do I find Imessages on my Mac?

  The iMessage history that powers your Messages app is stored in a database file in your computer's hard drive, in a hidden folder named Library which, in turn, is in your username folder. You can usually find your username folder on the side bar of the finder.

  Why can't I get Imessages on my Mac?

  Make sure that your Mac is connected to the Internet. To check your Internet connection, try loading a page in Safari or another web browser. Check that the date and time is set correctly on your Mac. Make sure that you enter the correct phone number or email address for the contact.