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Sending and receiving messages on Mac is one of the most convenient features that Apple has to offer. Nevertheless, some users may encounter problems in syncing their messages between their Mac and iPhone devices. Fortunately, this article provides you with an in-depth guide on how to get messages on Mac to sync with iPhone.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before you dive into the methods, there are a few things that you need to make sure you have to avoid any hiccups in the process. Here are the things you’ll need:
- Mac with macOS High Sierra or later
- An internet connection
- An iPhone running on iOS 11.4 or later
- An iCloud account with the right credentials
What Requires Your Focus?
The two key factors that could hinder messages from syncing between the two Apple devices are connectivity issues and outdated software. Make sure your iPhone and Mac are using the latest version of their operating systems, and that they’re connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable.
Methods
Here are three methods you can use to get messages on Mac to sync with iPhone:
Method 1: Enable Messages in iCloud on Both Devices
Before you begin, make sure your iPhone and Mac are up to date on their software.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings, tap Your Name, then iCloud, and finally toggle on the Messages option.
- Open Messages app on your Mac and go to Messages > Preferences > Accounts.
- Click on your iMessage account and sign in using your Apple ID and password to turn on Messages in iCloud.
- Your Messages will soon be syncing between your devices.
Pros:
- Easy to set up.
- Automatic synchronization between devices.
- Helps free up storage space on your devices.
Cons:
- May require more iCloud storage when you have heavy attachments and large volumes of messages.
- An unreliable internet connection can cause sync issues.
Method 2: Activate SMS Forwarding on iPhone
This method is useful for users who want to sync their SMS messages between their iPhone and Mac.
- Ensure that your iPhone and Mac meet the requirements in "What’s Needed" section above.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding.
- Toggle on the accompanied devices that you want to receive messages.
- Enter the verification code that appears on your Mac.
- Your SMS messages should start syncing on your Mac.
Pros:
- Syncs SMS messages as well as iMessages.
- Don’t need to sign in to iCloud for enabling SMS forwarding.
Cons:
- Doesn’t sync attachments such as photos and videos in SMS.
- Doesn’t free up storage space on your devices like Method 1.
- Your iPhone needs to be active and connected for the syncing to happen.
Method 3: Restore Messages on iPhone and Re-login iCloud
This method is suitable in cases of when the syncing of messages has stopped despite being enabled on all devices.
- Ensure your iPhone and Mac meet the requirements in "What’s Needed" section.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud and turn off the toggle on Messages.
- Next, go to the Messages app and select Keep Messages in the pop-up window to prevent loss of your current messages.
- After that, turn off iCloud for Messages.
- Power off your iPhone, wait a minute, and then switch it on again.
- Re-enable Messages in iCloud and power-cycle your iPhone and Mac.
- Log in to iCloud on your Mac and enable Messages in iCloud.
- Your messages should start syncing again.
Pros:
- Useful in cases of when the other two methods couldn’t resolve the problem.
Cons:
- Time-consuming and more complicated than the other methods.
- If the problem persists, you may need to restore your iPhone or try again on a different network.
Why Can’t I Sync Messages on Mac with iPhone?
There are various reasons why the messages on Mac won’t sync with iPhone. Here are a few:
- Outdated software: Apple devices require the latest software to function properly.
- Poor connection: your devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network or Ethernet cable to sync.
- Incorrect settings: Messages in iCloud may not be enabled on either device.
Fixes for the above issues include:
- Updating your devices and software
- Ensuring that Wi-Fi and internet connections are strong and reliable
- Enabling Messages in iCloud on both devices.
Implications and Recommendations
The syncing of messages is an important aspect of communication between Apple devices. It makes it easy for Mac users to text without having to pick their phone every time. The syncing also helps in securing messages with end-to-end encryption, an important feature. It is, therefore, critical to keep your devices up to date as the software is regularly updated to improve performance.
We recommend that you use the available methods in the order listed above. Method 1 is considered to be the best solution as it synchronizes all your messages, MMS, and attachments seamlessly. It helps in freeing up space on your devices.
Method 2 is useful for syncing SMS messages, while Method 3 is more complicated and time-consuming, but it’s useful when the first two methods don’t work.
FAQs
Q: Does syncing messages on Mac affect battery life on the iPhone?
A: No, syncing messages on Mac does not affect battery life on your iPhone.
Q: How do I know if Messages in iCloud is enabled on my devices?
A: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Messages. On your Mac, go to Messages > Preferences > Accounts. If Messages in iCloud is enabled, you’ll see a message to confirm it.
Q: Will syncing messages with Mac affect storage space on my iPhone?
A: No, syncing messages with Mac might help free up space on your iPhone as messages files are stored in iCloud.
Q: Does Method 2 sync all SMS messages?
A: Yes, Method 2 syncs all SMS messages, including group messages, sent from your iPhone number.
Q: I still can’t sync messages even after trying all the methods, what can I do?
A: Try resetting your Apple ID, or restoring your device as a last resort. Contact Apple customer support who can help resolve the problem for you.
In Conclusion
As a tech blogger, I hope you found this article on how to get messages on Mac to sync with iPhone insightful. The syncing of messages is vital as it helps in securing private communication and makes it easy for users to send messages on their Macs without interruptions. If you tried out the methods above, you should be able to synchronize your messages with ease. Remember to always keep your devices updated, and your connection strong to avoid any syncing issues.
