Fixed! iMessages Don’t Sync Between Devices

iMessage has become an integral part of our digital communication, allowing seamless conversations across Apple devices. However, there are instances where the synchronization between devices might falter, leading to frustration and confusion. If you've ever encountered the issue of iMessages not syncing between your Apple devices, you're not alone.

In this article, we'll delve into the reasons behind this problem, provide quick tips to address iMessages don’t sync between devices. Now, let’s get started.

Why doesn’t iMessages sync across devices?

Before diving into solutions, it's important to understand why iMessages might not be syncing seamlessly between your Apple devices:
⛔ Apple ID Mismatch: If your devices are not signed in with the same Apple ID, iMessages won't sync.
⛔ Network Connection Issues: A poor or unstable internet connection can hinder the synchronization of iMessages.
⛔ Delayed Synchronization: Sometimes, iMessages may not sync instantaneously due to network or server delays.
⛔ Disabled iMessage: If iMessage is disabled on one of your devices, it won't receive or sync messages.
⛔ Outdated Software: Devices running outdated versions of iOS or macOS may encounter syncing issues.

Tips to iMessages don’t sync between devices

Here are some quick tips to help you troubleshoot messages not syncing across devices. Try them one after another until your issue gets fixed.

>> For anyone seeking to transfer messages to a new iPhone, the next section provides a step-by-step method. This method allows you to directly transfer selected messages between iDevices, bypassing the need to wait for iCloud sync.

Tip 1. Check essential requirements

First thing first, you should check the basic settings related to iMessages sync are correct. You can follow the instructions below to have a check.

• iCloud account
Make sure you have logged in with the same Apple ID on all devices that you want to sync iMessages with. You can sign out and in iCloud account to refresh its service.

• iMessages is enabled
Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Make sure Messages is enabled. A reboot always helps solve minor glitches. Try to turn it off and on again to fix the issue. When you toggle off it, a popup window will appear, please tap Disable and Download Messages to confirm.

• Wi-Fi network
iCloud syncing requires a stable Wi-Fi connection. You may need to check your Wi-Fi connection when iMessages don’t sync between devices.

Tip 2. Check Apple System Status

If you encounter issues with iCloud messages not syncing, it might be due to problems with iCloud services. To check the status of iCloud services, you can visit the Apple System Status page. This page provides real-time information about the status of various Apple services. If you find that iCloud services are down, it's advisable to wait for Apple to resolve the issue before attempting to troubleshoot further.

Tip 3. Ensure Two-Factor Authentication is enabled

If you haven't enabled two-factor authentication for your Apple ID, it can lead to issues with iCloud messages not syncing across devices. It's essential to note that enabling two-factor authentication is a prerequisite for activating the Messages sync feature.

To address this problem and ensure successful iCloud messages syncing, you must enable two-factor authentication for your Apple ID. Enable it by going to Settings > [your name] > Password & Security > Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.

Tip 4. Reset network settings

If you're facing connection problems with Wi-Fi, a useful troubleshooting step is to reset network settings. This action will revert your network settings to their default configurations, which includes removing saved Wi-Fi passcodes and Bluetooth-paired devices. By performing this reset, you can potentially resolve network-related issues and restore stable connectivity.

To reset network settings, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings > Enter your passcode to confirm.

Tip 5. Delete unimportant messages

The duration of the sync process is influenced primarily by the file size and your internet speed. Larger files take more time to sync. It's advisable to prioritize syncing only important messages to expedite the process.

To enhance the syncing speed, you can remove redundant messages, photos, videos, and similar items. This not only accelerates the sync but also conserves valuable iCloud storage space, particularly considering the limited 5 GB of free storage available.

To delete unwanted messages, you can follow the steps below:
Step 1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages.

Step 2. Choose different sections like Photos, Videos, GIFSs & Stickers.

Step 3. If you choose Photos, tap Edit button > Select the pictures > Tap the Trash button to delete them.

A better way to sync iMessage/messages between iDevices

While Messages Sync is designed to back up messages and facilitate cross-device access, it's not infallible and can encounter issues, leading to iMessages not syncing between devices.

In such scenarios, turning to a third-party transfer tool could be a more viable option. FoneTool, one professional iOS data backup & transfer tool, can do you a favor.

✅ Different from iCloud sync, it lets you preview and select the messages you want to transfer.
✅ It enables you to create an image backup for your massages to save your storage space.
✅ The messages can be transferred to any iDevice and will not erase any existing data on the target device.

Take transfer messages from iPhone to iPad as an example to show you how to use this powerful tool.

How to transfer messages from iPhone to iPad
Step 1. Download, install and launch FoneTool > Plug in the iPhone to computer > Enter passcode on iPhone to let your computer access iPhone data.

Step 2. Click Phone Backup > Choose Selective Backup and click Get Started > Choose Messages > Select the messages you want to transfer and click OK to confirm.

Step 3. Choose a place to save your messages > Click Start Backup.

Step 4. Unplug source iPhone and connect target iPad to computer > Go to the Backup History screen > Click the Restore option > Click the Messages icon to confirm the messages that will be transferred to iPhone > Finally, click Start Restore.

Summary

This concludes the comprehensive guide on resolving iMessages don’t sync between devices. If you're still encountering challenges with message syncing, you might consider seeking assistance from FoneTool. This tool offers the capability to not only aid in message transfer but also manage contacts, photos, music, and videos seamlessly. Download FoneTool to explore its full range of features and benefits.