Set up Messages on Mac
If you have an Apple Account, you can use iMessage—a secure messaging service—to send unlimited messages to anyone using iMessage on their Apple device. Messages sent using iMessage appear in blue text bubbles.
If you have an iPhone, you can also send SMS, MMS, or RCS text messages to any mobile phone from your Mac. (Availability may depend on your carrier, country, or region.) Messages sent using SMS, MMS, and RCS appear in green text bubbles. See Set up iPhone to get SMS, MMS, or RCS messages.
Get messages on your Mac using iMessage
Go to the Messages app
on your Mac.Enter your Apple Account email address or phone number, then click Sign In.
Make sure to sign in to the same Apple Account on every device. See the Apple Support article Continuity features and requirements on Apple devices.
If you forgot your Apple Account password, or if you need to create an Apple Account, go to the Apple Account website.
Enter your Apple Account password, then click Sign In.
Choose Messages > Settings, click iMessage, click Settings, then select any of the following options:
Enable Messages in iCloud: Select this option if you want to store your messages in iCloud. See Set up iCloud for Messages on all your devices.
Note: You can also turn Messages in iCloud on or off in iCloud settings. See Change iCloud settings.
You can be reached for messages at: Select the email addresses or phone numbers that people can use to send you messages.
See the Apple Support article Add or remove your phone number in Messages or FaceTime.
Send read receipts: Select this option so that people who send you messages can see when you’ve read them.
You can also send read receipts for a specific conversation.
Start new conversations from: Choose the email address or phone number that you want to use for starting new conversations.
This option is only available if you have more than one email address or phone number listed below “You can be reached for messages at.”
Note: This is the information that others see when you send a message. For example, if you have your phone number selected, conversations with others show your phone number.
You can also set up name and photo sharing and notifications (such as sounds and alerts).
Sync your messages with iPhone
To see your messages on both your Mac and iPhone, make sure you sign in to the same Apple Account on both devices and turn on Text Message Forwarding on your iPhone. See Set up iPhone to get SMS, MMS, and RCS messages on Mac.
All messages you send or receive appear on both devices, even if you’re texting someone without an iPhone.
Stop receiving messages on your Mac
If you don’t want to see messages on your Mac, you can sign out of iMessage.
Go to the Messages app
on your Mac.Choose Messages > Settings, click iMessage, then click Settings.
Click Sign Out, then confirm that you want to sign out. When you sign out of iMessage, you no longer receive messages on your Mac.
Note: If you want to stop receiving messages sent to your phone number, deselect the phone number below “You can be reached for messages at.” See the Apple Support article Add or remove your phone number in Messages or FaceTime.