Can’t login to iMessage on Mac is a common and irritating issue that is often faced by the Mac users. Once this error occurs, then an error message saying “An error occurred during activation. Try again. Could not sign in to iMessage (or FaceTime).” continuously pops up on the screen. As a result, you can not able to sign in to your iMessage account.
However, it is a common problem and you can easily resolve it. What you need to do is simply follow a proper way to eliminate this error. Therefore, if you ever face this issue and want to get rid of it as early as possible, then you have arrived at the right article. Have a look at the rest of the part, as here we are going to discuss some easy and practical solutions which you can try to solve the error immediately.
Probable Causes of Can’t Login to iMessage on Mac Issue:
If you encounter can’t login to iMessage on Mac issue in your device, then you might get panic and want to know why this trouble occurs on your system. Here, for your help, we have highlighted some common reasons behind the appearance of this problem so that you can take precautions for the next time.
- Most of the time, you might encounter the iMessage issue on your system, if you have a weak internet connection.
- If there is a problem occurs with your Apple ID, then it is also a good reason for this problem.
- During the login time, if any third-party software is running in the backend, then also this can lead you to this problem.
These are some top-rated causes for this trouble, now if you want to know how to fix can’t login to iMessage on Mac issue, then you should go through the remaining part thoroughly and resolve the problem.
Methods you can Try to Troubleshoot Can’t Login to iMessage on Mac Error:
There are several ways by which you can resolve this problem. Here, for your sake, we have listed some of them. So, check them out.
Method 1- Enable your Apple ID
At first, you need to check whether you have enabled your Apple ID for messages or not. If not, then you might get this error on your system. In that case, you need to enable the Apple ID. Here are the steps that you need to follow to apply this method on your system.
Step 1
Firstly, you have to go to the ‘Messages’ section. Under this section, you should click on the ‘Preferences’ which is located on the top of the Menu list.
Step 2
Next, you have to navigate to the ‘Accounts’. Thereafter, a new page will appear on the screen. From there, you have to scroll below until you see the ‘iMessage’ option. Next, click on it and check if the Apple ID information is showing up or not. Also, you need to mark the dialog box which is located beside the ‘Enable this account’ option.
Step 3
In case, you found it already checked, then what you need to do is to uncheck it. Thereafter, you should wait for 30 seconds and again check the dialog box.
Finally, exit from the page as well as restart your device, next try to log in on your Messages account. However, if you fail, then don’t worry, here is another method for you.
Method 2- Make Sure to Have a Good Internet Connection
As we mentioned that, in case you have a weak internet connection, then this can lead you to this sign in issue. So, in such cases, you need to check your internet connection.
The simplest way to check it by watching a streaming service, such as a YouTube video. If that video keeps buffering, then it is a sign that you have a slow internet connection.
Therefore, you have to change it and switch to another service that offers you better speed than the previous one. So, do the needful and if you still deal with this login issue, then immediately, proceed to the next method.
Method 3- Check the Date and Time Settings
If you have already applied the above two methods and none of them works for you, then we advise you to check the date and time settings of your device. A lot of users reported that they deal with the same issue and after entering the correct date and time, they quickly overcome this trouble. In your case, if this is the case, then we strongly recommend you to check the date and time settings and ensure that you have entered the correct date and time. Well, this is not a difficult task, what you need to do is to take a look below.
- At first, you need to go to the ‘Apple menu’ and after that, tap on the ‘System Preferences.’
- After that, a new page will appear on the screen. From there, click on the ‘Date & Time’ option.
- Thereafter, what you have to do is to check the date and time and ensure that all are correct and precise.
- Once done, then you have to mark the dialog box which is situated beside the ‘Set date and time automatically’. In case, it is already checked, then unmarked it and wait for 35 to 40 seconds. After that, again check it and exit from the page.
Again reboot your machine and if you fail to resolve the can’t login to Message On Mac issue, this time as well, then move to the next method.
Method 4- Ensure that you are Using Correct Apple ID
In case, you are using several Apple IDs, then there is a huge chance that you are using an incorrect one. Therefore, you need to make sure that you are using the correct Apple ID. For that, at first, you have to go to Apple’s login page. Make sure that you are using the correct user name and password for your iMessage account. If you sign in successfully, then you can sign out from the iMessage account and login by using the username and password. Here is how to apply this method on your system.
Step 1
At first, you have to click on the ‘Messages’ option. After that, you need to navigate to the ‘Preferences’ section.
Step 2
Within the ‘Preference’ you can see a lot of options. From there, you should search for the ‘Accounts’. Once you found it, then click on it and thereafter, you need to select the ‘iMessage account’ and tap on it.
Step 3
Next, you have to click on the ‘Sign Out’ option. Then, restart your machine and try to log in on your iMessage account. If done, then your job is over. Unfortunately, if the issue still irritates you, then look at the next method.
Method 5- Disable the iCloud Keychain
If all of the above methods fail to bring the needful solution for you, then we advise you to turn off the iCloud Keychain and then check if the problem is resolved or not. For disabling it, at first, you need to open the ‘System Preferences’ and from there, you should click on the ‘iCloud’ option.
Next, you should uncheck the dialog box which is situated beside the ‘Keychain’ option.
Then, you have to choose the ‘Keep on this Mac’ option to keep a backup of all your important data and files. Once you have done with it, then simply close the ‘System Preferences’ option and reboot your machine. Then, try to open your system without the can’t login to iMessage on Mac issue. If you are not successful, then have a quick glance at the next method.
Method 6- Remove the iMessage from the Keychain
This is also a good alternative that you can try to fix the issue. To apply this method on your PC, you need to go through the undermentioned steps.
Step 1
In the beginning, you need to click on the ‘Applications’ option. From there, navigate to the ‘Utilities’. Next, you should click on the ‘Keychain’ option.
Step 2
A new window will appear on the display. From there, you should click on the ‘Login’ option which is located on the top left corner of the page. Then, choose ‘All Items’.
Step 3
Now, you should type ‘FaceTime’ within the search field and hit the Enter button. Next, a select number of files will pop up on the screen. You have to remove all those files.
Step 4
You have to repeat Step 1 as well as Step 2. However, this time you should type ‘iMessage’ within the search field and remove those files too.
Once done, then just restart your computer and check if the can’t login to iMessage on Mac issue has been resolved or not. If still not, then go to method 7.
Method 7- Disable the Third-Party Software
As we said earlier that at the time of log in, if the security software, as well as any other third-party software, is running on the backend, then it can prevent you from the sign in. In that case, you need to disable all the third-party software temporarily and check if the trouble is gone or not. Unfortunately, if not, then we advise you to uninstall all the third-party software and install them once the issue gets resolved.
Method 8- Reset the NVRAM
Non-volatile random-access memory(NVRAM) is a type of memory which some users set to access their device. This includes sound volume, display resolution and so on.
Sometimes, for this, the users can face this issue. So, in such cases, you have to reset the NVRAM. To do so, you first, you need to shut down your device. Next, wait for at least 5 minutes and after that, turn it on.
Thereafter, you should press and hold the Command, P, and R buttons immediately. Once your device is showing up the button of restarting, then you have to release those buttons. Again, try to login on your iMessage account. However, if you still face the can’t login to iMessage on Mac trouble, then here is another alternative for you.
Method 9- Check If There is an Outage from Apple’s Side
Sometimes, if the Apple system is down, then also this iMessage login issue can create trouble for you. To check whether the Apple system is down or not, simply navigate to the ‘Apple System Status page’ and check the status of both the iMessage and FaceTime.
In case, the status shows up as yellow, then there is a problem with the system. However, if the status shows up as green, then everything is alright. However, now you should restart your machine again and try to log in on your iMessage account.
Method 10- Update the Mac OS to its Latest Version
This is the last method that you can try to resolve this login issue. In case, you are not updating your Mac OS for a long time, then also you can face this issue. So, you have to update it to its best-recommended version.
By default, it will update automatically. In case, you change the default settings, then you can do it manually. Here how to do it.
- At first, you have to open the Mac store.
- Then, you need to click on the ‘Update’ option.
- Use this Update button for downloading any listed update.
Once done, then again reboot your system and now the iMessage will surely not trouble you anymore.
That’s it. We believe with the help of the above ten methods, you can resolve the can’t login to iMessage on Mac problem on your own. However, if you believe that you can not apply those complex methods single-handedly, then we suggest you not to waste a single moment and take expert help to get the permanent solution on this.
