Can’t Login To iMessage On Mac: Technical Hacks To Fix The Account Activation Error On MacOS

According to many Mac users, they are unable to access applications including iMessage and FaceTime even after logging into iCloud or iTunes successfully. This is quite a common problem for many customers, which simply generates an ‘Authentication Error’ notification on clicking the iMessage app. Mostly, this error is observed in MacBook Air models that blocks the user’s access to view their iMessage account. It will generate the message ‘Couldn’t sign in to iMessage’ even after entering the correct Apple ID or password on their Mac-based devices. So, if you are also experiencing the same issue and can’t login to iMessage on Mac, keep reading this article. Here, you can learn some of the possible causes of getting this messaging application issue on MacOS. Also, if you are searching for technical fixes to troubleshoot iMessage authentication problem, you can try the methods discussed in this article.

Why the users can’t login to iMessage on Mac?

There can be multiple reasons that can stop Mac users from accessing or sending/receiving messages on the iMessage app. But, before you check the solution part for resolving this error, you need to understand why you can’t login to iMessage on Mac. So, let’s discuss some of the common issues on Mac-based devices that can trigger iMessage sign up issues:

• Many users have reported that they are unable to sign in to their iMessage account after upgrading to iOS. This can happen along with an error notification that indicates issues with network connection behind iMessage activation problem.
• Often, you may enter the wrong Apple ID while logging into iMessage account unknowingly. So, if this is the case, it can block the user to send or receive any message on Mac applications.
• Any issue with Apple’s data center or server can also be the reason why many customers could not sign into iMessage on Mac.
• If you have installed third-party programs on Mac, it can conflict with network ports of iMessage app. So, unless you resolve iMessage error, these apps can prevent users to access any incoming or outgoing messages.
• Often, you may notice that iMessage not signing in on Mac if your system clock or ‘Date & TIme’ settings are not proper. Hence, it can lead to sign in issues on various apps on Mac including iMessage, FaceTime and more.

Solutions to Consider if you could not Sign into iMessage on Mac

If you want to troubleshoot login problems in iMessage, go through the following methods:

Method 1- Verify your Account and Apple ID

For those who are juggling with multiple Apple IDs, they can have this tendency to enter wrong information on iMessage, iTunes or any other account. So, if you receive this message error on Mac, check if you typed correct Apple ID and password. Hence, to check this information, open a reliable web browser on your Mac based system. Then open the main sign up page of Apple and type your iMessage account’s username and password. If it allows you to access your Apple account with this information, you can verify the same for iMessage account.

For those who can’t sin in successfully, they can click on Messages app on their Apple or Mac-based device. Then select the tab for ‘Send & Receive’  and click on your iMessage account. This will help you to log out from previous sessions on iMessage and sign in using the username and password from Apple’s main page.

Method 2- Remove or Disable Third-party Apps

Many customers can’t login to iMessage on Mac if their systems are running any conflicting application. These apps are basically third-party software for security or firewall feature, which can prevent iMessage access. So if this is the case, you can simply disable these apps or uninstall them from your Mac.

Method 3- Reset your Network Settings on Mac

If network configurations are not correctly done on Mac-based devices, the users can experience this iMessage error. So, in order to fix this problem, they can follow proper instructions to reset the network settings. If you want to try this method, first open Apple’s menu and hit the tab for ‘Settings’. Then click on the ‘General’ option and choose ‘Reset’. Below the section of ‘Reset’, you will find various options for resetting and erasing the system settings. So, click on the option of ‘Reset All Settings’ and type your passcode for confirming this action.  Now, try to log in to your iMessage account and see if you can access it without any error.

Method 4- Set the correct Date and Time for the system

If your system is not having proper date and time settings, users may feel connectivity problem while launching Mac applications. Due to this issue, they may not be able to access their iMessage accounts even after entering the correct Apple ID and password. So, to fix this issue, open the Apple menu and hit the tab for ‘System Preference’, Then choose the option of ‘Date and Time’ and make sure that the date, time and zone are set correctly on Mac. If you can’t make these settings manually, use a stable WiFi network and allow Mac to update the details from networking. Some users have fixed the signup issues on iMessage by enabling ‘Set Automatically’ feature for Date & TIme. Hopefully, setting the correct time and date will resolve sign-in problems in iMessage and other Mac apps.

Method 5- Check the Status of iMessage Servers

Sometimes, there can be a problem with the Apple server, which can disrupt the functioning of iMessage. So, to confirm this, you can obtain the status of services for Apple gadgets in your region by visiting its official site. For those who aren’t aware of the link, type www.apple.com/support/systemstatus on the address bar and hit ‘Enter’ key. However, remember that the status you observe on the website may not be the real-time data. Hence, even if the link shows that iMessage is working, it may be down when you are checking it. So, the best way to find out the actual status of the iMessage server is to consult an Apple expert for the details.

Method 6- Apply Latest Updates for MacOS

Keeping your MacOS updated can be a great way to resolve most errors including the iMessage sign in problem. If you have not chosen the option of automatic updates for MacOS, you can manually select them and install. Hence, for doing this, you will have to make sure that your Mac has the App Store application. So, click on ‘App Store’ and then navigate to the toolbar section to find ‘Updates’. As you hit this button, you can view the list of updates available for the users. Hence, select the updates necessary for running Apple applications on your Mac including the iMessage.

Method 7- Try to Reset NVRAM

Many Mac-based systems consist of a nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM). The purpose behind using this RAM is to ensure that various device and system settings can function properly. It includes settings for display, time zone, audio volume, startup-disk selection, and kernel panic information. However, if you are facing sign up issues on iMessage, it can be resolved by clearing NVRAM. In order to try this, you will have to follow certain steps to reset the NVRAM on your Mac. So, first, switch off your Mac device and then turn it on after 1-2 minutes. However, you need to press and hold the buttons of Option, Command, R, and P altogether right after switching Mac on. As you observe signs of a system restart, you will have to release these keys simultaneously. Sometimes, users may have to enter the firmware password in order to reset NVRAM.

If you have tried all the methods discussed in this article and can’t login to iMessage on Mac, it may require some advanced solution. Sometimes, the users may require to remove the previous version of iMessage and create a new account using a new set of Apple ID and password. So, if you want further updates or want step by step instructions to sign in to iMessage account, get in touch with a Mac Support professional. Also, for sharing troubleshooting steps to fix iMessage error, you can post your valuable tips in the comment section.