How do I stop my iPhone from syncing messages to my Mac

Here's how to set up Apple's Messages app on an iPhone, Mac, and iPad. Once you've done this, you can view text messages sent and receivedfrom all the Apple devices you've synced. Let's startlearning how to connect iPhone to Mac andiPad to get iMessage on Mac,iPad, andiPhone.

Related:iPhone Texting Tricks for the Messages App

iMessage Not Working? How to Sync Messages from iPhone to Mac & iPhone to iPad

I recently wrote an article abouthow to get messages on Mac, but when I was doing my research, many readers were asking about iMessage not syncing on Mac. Many usershave trouble figuring out how to sync messages from iPhone to Mac, which is different from learninghow to forward a text to your Mac or iPad.

When iMessage isnt syncing between your devices, its usually a communication issue in Apples Continuity feature. This problem can be fixed by making sure your iPhone, iPad, and Mac have all enabled your phone number and emails as ways to send and receive messages. Setting that up, as well as making sure all your devices are using the same Apple ID, will allow you to sync text messages from iPhone to iPad and from iPhone to Mac. For more great tutorials about Apple's Messages app, check out our free Tip of the Day.

Jump To:

• Prepare iPhone to Sync Messages on Mac & iPad
• How to Sync Messages from iPhone toMac
• How to Sync iPhone &iPad Text Messages

Prepare iPhone to Sync Messages on Mac & iPad

Here's how to adjust iPhone Settings so you can sync messages fromiPhone to Mac and iPhone to iPad.

1. Open the Settings app.
   
   
   
   
2. Tap Messages.
   
   
   
   
3. Make sure iMessage is toggled on [it may take a moment to activate].
   
   
   
   
4. TapSend & Receive.
   
   
   
   
5. If Use your Apple ID for iMessage pops up, tap it and sign in with the Apple ID you use on the Apple devices you want to sync with.
6. Under You Can Receive iMessages to and Reply From, make sure your phone number,Apple ID, and other emails you use for iMessageare checked.
7. Under Start New Conversations From,select your phone number, unless you have a strong preference forone of your email addresses.
8. Youll see your Apple ID at the bottom. Make a mental note of this, because you need to make sure youre using the same one on iPad and Mac too.
   
   
   
   
9. Now go back to Settings and tap FaceTime.
   
   
   
   
10. Under You Can be Reached by FaceTime at, make sure your phone number and Apple ID are checked.
    
    
    
    

How to Sync Messages from iPhone toMac

Here's how to adjust Mac Settings so you can sync messages from Mac to iPhone and Mac to iPad.

1. On Mac, open the Messages app; it will be in your Applications folder.
   
   
   
   
2. If youre not already logged in, Messageswill prompt you to do so.
   
   
   
   
3. Click Messages on the Menu, then clickPreferences.
   
   
   
   
4. Click iMessageat the top of the pop-up box.
5. Near the top, youll see your Apple ID. Make sure its the same as the Apple ID you're logged in with on your iPhone.
   
   
   
   
6. Under You can be reached for messages at:make sure youve checked your phone number and all the emails you use for messages, including your Apple ID email.
   
   
   
   
7. Under Start new conversations from:select the same thing [phone number or email] that you did on the iPhone.
   
   
   
   

For example, I chose my phone number on iPhone, which means Im also going to select my phone number on myMac [and my iPad].

How to Sync iPhone &iPad Text Messages

Here's how to adjust iPadSettings so you can sync messages from iPad to iPhone and iPad to Mac. These steps are the same as the ones you took earlier on your iPhone, but now you'll make sure your iPad is synced.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Messages.
   
   
   
   
3. You may need to sign in with your Apple ID; be sure it's the same Apple ID you're using on your iPhone and Mac.
4. Tap Send & Receive.
   
   
   
   
5. At the top, find your Apple ID. Make sure it matches the Apple ID on your iPhone and your Macif you want your text messages to sync between all devices.
6. Under You Can Receive iMessages to and Reply From,check your phone number and the emails you use for iMessages, including your Apple ID email.
   
   
   
   
7. Under Start New Conversations From,select the same number or email that you chose on your iPhone and your Mac.
   
   

After following these steps, you shouldnt have any more problems with messages not syncing between devices. If it ever stops working again, you should be able to return to this article for a reminder on how to sync messages from your iPhone to your Mac or your iPhone to your iPad.