Can’t Log into iMessage On Mac? Easy Solutions To Try Out

By Nicholas J. Johnson | October 24, 2019

iMessage is a Blackberry messenger that is generally used for sending messages. The best part is that it supports all your Apple devices including iPhones, iPad,iPods as well as Mac. For sending an iMessage, you would also require an Android smartphone.

But sometimes users can’t log into iMessage on Mac after entering Apple’s username and password. So, if you are one of the unlucky users who is encountering this issue and want effective solutions then go through this article.

Troubleshoot iMessage Login Issue on Your Mac:

iMessage login issue can occur if there is an issue in your network or software or due to the application bugs. To identify the exact cause, look into its possible reasons. In this article, we are going to explain all its common causes as well as its solutions effectively. So without wasting time just follow the steps mentioned underneath.

1. Verify your Internet Connection

If you could not sign in to iMessage on Mac then, check your internet connection first. A good internet connection is essential to run an iMessage application. To check and receive updates from apple servers, iMessage relies on a network connection. That is why make sure your system is connected to the internet connection properly.

You can use a simple method and check whether your connection is good or not. Open your Netflix or watch YouTube videos. In case, you do not find a freezing or buffering issue, it means your connection is good.

2. Enable your Apple ID for Message

The second step that you have to follow is to enable your Apple ID for messages. These are the steps that you have to follow to enable your Apple Id for Messages.

Go to your Messages and at the top menu and choose the Preferences tab.
Choose Accounts.
Once you see iMessage to your left-hand sidebar, select iMessage.
Check whether you can see your Apple ID information.
If the little box next to Enable this account is checked then uncheck it. Wait for some time then check the box again.
Try to log in to your Messages and check if the issue still persists or not.

3. Verify for a Service Outage

Check if this issue occurs due to a system outage or not. An outage can occur anytime. So better you go to the Apple system status page and verify the statuses of the iMessage and Facetime.

4. Check the Settings of Your Date and Time

If you want to check the date and time settings then follow these instructions.

Select the Apple menu and then go to System Preferences.
Click on date & time and correct the date, time and time zone if it is selected wrong.
Verify the box next to Set date and time automatically option. If the box is checked then uncheck the box and check it back again.
If the checkbox is not clear then, click on the Lock icon and type your administrator password

5. Reset NVRAM

NVRAM is the NON-volatile random-access memory that maintains your data even after power is switched off. If you reset your Mac’s NVRAM it can fix this issue. But before you reset this, write down all the important information that is displaying as this information can be reset.

Switch off your Mac then switch on back and immediately press and hold all the Option+Command +P+R
Wait for few seconds and then release the keys.
It will restart your Mac.
After resetting NVRAM, update the settings of the sound volume, display resolution, startup disk selection, and time zone back as these were set initially.

6. Install Mac OS Updates

The system update is the best option if iMessage not signing in on mac. Macs download and install Mac OX updates automatically. But somehow if this default setting gets changed then, you have to check Mac software updates.
Open the App Store app on your Mac
Hit Updates in the App Store toolbar.
Click on the Update buttons and download and install updates if any.

7. Use Application Folder and Open iMessage

Using an application folder you can easily open iMessage if you can’t log into iMessage on Mac. For that, you have to follow these steps.

Go to your hard drive of your Mac
Open Applications folder and open Messages or FaceTime.
If you will be able to log in then delete the old icons from Mac’s dock and drag the new one from the Application folder. But if you still face the issue then try out the next step.

8. Remove and Rebuild Encryption Keys for iMessage

If you have purchased a new Mac and migrated your Mac user account then, you can face this issue. It happens if the information associated with your ID is no longer valid. So, if you want to fix this issue then check out the following steps.

Close your Messages on your Mac and go to the Applications.
Tab Utilities and choose Keychain Access.
Check the top left-hand sidebar and if you see Login then select it.
Go to the lower left-hand sidebar and choose Passwords option.
Now, use Spotlight search bar and enter IDS.
Check your unique Apple ID closely that ends with AuthToken. These are the safe keys for your iMessage.
Now, remove these keys and Mac and Apple servers will automatically create and rebuild fresh keys.
Remove the files and Apple ID that creates the issue.
Close the window and reboot your Mac and open Messages and try to sign in.

9. Make Some Changes in IDS

After using the previous method if you still find the error then apply these steps.

Go back into your Applications>Utilities>Choose Keychain Access
Search these two files

ids: identity-rsa-private-key

ids: identity-rsa-public-key

If you find this below file then select it too.

ids: [email protected]

Remove all the selected files and Mac servers will rebuild the fresh ones.
Now, restart your Mac and try to log in.

10. Delete All the IDS Files

If the issue still persists then delete all the IDS files one by one.

Open the Applications then go to Utilities.
Choose keychain Access.
Type IDS in the Spotlight Search bar.
Delete all the IDS files.
Close Keychain and reboot Mac.
Open iMessage and try to sign in.

11. Delete Mac’s Push Notifications For iMessage

Mac has special APSD file that helps in signing in and sends message alerts to iMessage.But when you send a message on your Mac and have not got any alerts or it does not update today’s date then there is an issue in the APSD file and you can’t log into iMessage on Mac. So, if you want to fix this issue then remove this file from your Mac. Do not worry, Mac will recreate it.

Step 1: With Terminal

Open your Mac’s Terminal and copy and paste this command

sudo rm LibraryPreferences/com.apple.apsd.plist

Press the Enter and remove the file.
Reboot your Mac and try to sign in and check the issue.

Step 2:Without Terminal

You can use this second method and fix the issue.

Go to your hard drive and navigate to the Library option.
Click on Preferences now.
Find out this item

com.apple.apsd.plist

Now, remove this item into the Trash.
Next, enter your Admin Password when you are prompted to do so.
Remove the file.
Reboot your Mac and try to log into your iMessage.

12. Third-Party Software

After using all the methods if the issue is not fixed then check whether this issue occurs due to the firewall, VPN or antivirus. Sometimes they block the domains and ports that have been used by the Apple servers.

Disable all these one by one and try to fix the issue. So, if you have any other antivirus installed in your system, then turn off the application and check the issue.

Concluding Words…

These are some simple and easy steps that can fix the login issue if you can’t log into iMessage on Mac. Apply all the methods one by one until you fix the issue. If the article is helpful for you then share your experience with us or if you have queries then write down in the comment section below.

Posted in Mac