01748 - video tip

iMessages: How to Turn Off iMessages on a Mac

By Conner Carey Updated 04/28/2022

Have you ever wondered how to turn off iMessage on a Mac? The first time I received an iMessage on my computer, I immediately began looking for a way to disable the feature. My iPhone tends to be right next to me anyway, so broadcasting my text messages on a Mac is definitely something I wanted to deactivate. Luckily, you can stop iMessages from popping up by simply turning off messages on your Mac. It’s actually incredibly easy to do. We've already shown you how to enable iMessages on an iPhone, iPad, and Mac, how to turn off read receipts, and how to fix an iMessage waiting for activation error; here’s how to deactivate and get rid of messages on your Mac.

Related: How to Search Message Conversations on iPhone: iMessage, Facebook, and Whatsapp

How to Turn Off & Deactivate iMessages on a Mac in 5 Easy Steps

iMessages on the Mac is part of the Apple ecosystem that allows you to connect all your devices with your Apple ID. When you’re logged in, you receive iMessages on your computer. Your computer uses your internet connection to receive the messages you would otherwise get on your iPhone. It’s a cool feature if you want to use it. But if you’re like me, you just want to stop messages from popping up on your Mac. To turn off iMessages on your Mac, you'll first need to open the Messages app on your computer.

  1. Look for the App Folder on your Dock and click it.

    turn off imessage
     
  2. You'll see all the apps on your Mac, open Messages.

    imessage on computer
     
  3. Click Messages in the top bar and select Preferences.

    How to Stop Receiving iMessages on Your Mac
     
  4. Select iMessage from the menu bar, then choose Settings. 
  5. Below that, you'll see your Apple ID and a few other options. Uncheck Enable this account or click Sign Out.

    how do i turn off text messages on my mac
     

Your Mac will ask if you're sure you want to sign out, then ask for your Apple ID and password to sign out fully; that’s all it takes to stop getting messages on your Mac! As an added bonus, you can also learn how to change the cursor on your Mac to make it easier to find on the screen. 

Top Image Credit: GaudiLab / Shutterstock

Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

How-To
Mac
Apps
Apple ID
iMessage
Apple Apps
Messages
Settings
Notifications

Apple released its top 25 apps of 2015 list on the App Store last week. The company declared these apps the “most visionary, inventive, and irresistible” of the year.  Did your favorite make the cut? Top picks include Paper for sketching and Instagram for sharing, but the winners range largely in category. So let’s get to it: here’s a look at the top award winners on Apple’s list and quick links to all the apps.

Before the recently enhanced Apple TV was introduced, rumor sites speculated that Apple might actually make large-screen television sets and embed its Apple TV intelligence into them. I was never a fan of that strategy. TV sets are fragile and bulky, and Apple doesn't need to get into that business. For several years, I have relied on an Epson projector connected to an Apple TV for my home entertainment. I've never looked back since I set up the home theater system. My screen is as large as my wall, which is far bigger than any TV set at Best Buy. I mounted the Epson projector to my wall and painted the screen-side of the wall with a special paint to make the image even better.

Walmart hasn't adopted Apple Pay, and it's not clear whether it will (though one report I read said the company is increasingly open to it). Now, however, you have another option for paying at Walmart. Last week the company launched a new mobile payment system at selected stores that lets you pay for your purchase at the checkout counter by scanning a QR code with your iPhone or iPad. (For it to work on an iPad, though, you'll likely need to have a cellular data model.) The new mobile payment system will be available nationwide by the first half of next year.

Social media is one of many ways to keep in contact with someone these days; it makes sense to include that information within a contact card, especially for the people you interact with most. Doing so allows you to view their social media profile directly from Contacts. Here’s how to include someone’s social media profile information in their contact card.

It seems like there are thousands of fitness apps to choose from and little advice on where to get started. Meanwhile, the most difficult part of any workout routine is to begin. Running, in particular, can feel daunting when you’re sitting on the couch, but nothing beats the movement of propelling one’s body through the air. Here’s a list of four running apps to help beginners feel like pros.

Pages

Subscribe to Front page feed