Use iMessage apps in Messages on iPhone. In the Messages app, you can decorate a conversation with stickers, play a game, share songs, and more—all through iMessage apps—without leaving Messages.
When you first set up Messages on your Mac, you're asked to sign in to your iMessage account with your Apple ID. Messages then automatically attempts to sign in every time you open it. Signing in to FaceTime is similar. If either app doesn't sign in successfully, try these solutions.
Check your Internet connection
Before you can use the Messages application or the FaceTime application, you need to identify which online account you will use. A chat account is your identification and contact information that other people use when they send text-based messages to you in the Messages application or initiate video calls in FaceTime. This video clarifies what iMessage is, and how it works with these two. At that point, you can sign in to iMessage with your Apple ID / iCloud account and it will verify the phone number is actually connected to that device and your AppleID will then inherit that phone number. At that point, you can remove that phone number from that iPhone and use another Apple ID with iMessage.
Make sure that your Mac is connected to the Internet. You should be able to load web pages or receive email, for example.
Use Apple Id For Imessage
Check for a service outage
Check the Apple System Status page for a temporary outage affecting iMessage or FaceTime.
Check your Date & Time settings
- Choose Apple menu () > System Preferences, then click Date & Time. Make sure that the date, time, and time zone are correct.
- If the ”Set date and time automatically” checkbox is selected, deselect it and select it again. (If the checkbox is dimmed, click and enter your administrator password.)
Make sure that your software is up to date
Learn how to update your Mac software. Software updates can improve the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, and might also resolve the issue.
Check your Apple ID
To make sure that your Apple ID and password are correct, go to the Apple ID account page and sign in with the same Apple ID that you're using with Messages and FaceTime. If that works, open the app and take these steps:
- Messages: Choose Messages > Preferences, then click Accounts. Select your iMessage account, then click Sign Out. Now sign in again with the same Apple ID you used on the Apple ID account page.
- FaceTime: Choose FaceTime > Preferences. In the Settings tab, click Sign Out. Then sign in again with the same Apple ID you used on the Apple ID account page.
Reset NVRAM
In case the issue is related to any of the settings stored in NVRAM, reset NVRAM on your Mac.
Check for third-party software
If you installed firewall, security, VPN, or other third-party networking software, make sure that the software isn't blocking any of the network ports used by iMessage and FaceTime. If necessary, disable the software and then try using your iMessage account or FaceTime again.
Learn more
Cannot Use Apple Id For Imessage
Learn what to do if you have other FaceTime issues.
Use Apple Id For Imessage Android
FaceTime is not available in all countries or regions.