Set up iPhone to get SMS messages on Mac (2024)

FAQs

Set up iPhone to get SMS messages on Mac? ›

If you find that messages you send and receive on your iPhone don't appear on your Mac or the other way around, there are a few possible reasons: You're not signed in with your Apple ID on either your Mac or your iPhone. You haven't enabled Messages in iCloud on either your Mac or your iPhone.

If you find that messages you send and receive on your iPhone don't appear on your Mac or the other way around, there are a few possible reasons: You're not signed in with your Apple ID on either your Mac or your iPhone. You haven't enabled Messages in iCloud on either your Mac or your iPhone.

Go to the Messages app on your Mac. Choose Messages > Settings, then click iMessage and make sure you're signed in. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Messages, then make sure iMessage is turned on.

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages. Tap Text Message Forwarding. Note: If you don't see Text Message Forwarding, make sure you're signed in to iMessage using the same Apple ID on both your iPhone and your Mac. Turn on your Mac in the list of devices.

On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Notifications in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Go to Application Notifications on the right, click Messages, then do one of the following: Change notifications: Set options, such as the style of notifications or where to show them.

Make sure you are signed in to iCloud with the same account on each device, and that iCloud Drive is turned on. (iCloud Drive is very important, and many people forget this.)

Enable it for an iPhone or iPad in Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Show All > Messages in iCloud > Use on this iPhone. On the Mac, look in System Settings > Your Name > iCloud > Show More Apps > Messages in iCloud > Use on this Mac.

In the Messages app on your Mac, change options for your iMessage settings. To change these settings, choose Messages > Settings, then click iMessage. If you're not using iMessage, enter your Apple Account email or phone number, click Sign In, then enter your Apple Account password and click Sign In.

Update your device to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS if needed. In the Settings app, tap Cellular. Make sure that your phone line is turned on. If you use multiple SIMs, make sure that the phone number you want to use is selected and turned on.

Why is my iPhone not delivering SMS messages? ›

Some reasons it's not working could be: You are out of range of a network. The Messages app isn't responding. Apple's system isn't working.

If you're in an area with low signal strength or experiencing network outages, texts may be delayed or not received at all. Airplane Mode or Do Not Disturb: Make sure your phone is not in Airplane Mode or Do Not Disturb mode, as these settings can prevent text messages from coming through.

The first time you set up syncing, you must connect your device to your Mac using a USB or USB-C cable. After you connect the device, the device icon appears in the Finder sidebar and selecting the icon displays syncing options. You then select which items to sync.

In the Messages app on your Mac, choose Messages > Settings, then click an option at the top of the window: General: Change general options such as the default text size or the sound that plays when you receive a message.

Make sure that “Text Message Forwarding” is turned on, on your iPhone. Tap “Show More” under “Apps using iCloud” OR simply turn on Messages, if already visible.

There could be countless reasons for iMessage not working on Mac. Initially, there may be a glitch with Apple's iMessage server or perhaps within the Messages app, or your settings might need a little bit of adjustment. Another reason could be you may need to update Mac if your iMessage isn't functioning.