Catalina

[Tomos]

Hi Just updated my MacBook to the latest Catalina.Went okay took over an hour to complete.
Just one annoying thing the iMessage app keeps popping up on screen tied to drag it to remove it but keeps coming up.I don't use iMessage is there a way to get rid of this app Please
David

 

[Rod]

That's a different problem. I take it that you don't have an iPhone?
As I do and I imagine most of the users on this forum would too the problem has not occurred for us.
If you open Messages on the Mac then go to preferences you will see a window with two tabs, select the iMessage tab and untick “Enable this account.”


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[Tomos]

Thanks for the reply. Yes I do have iPhone but don't use the iMessage just the standard mms I think that's what its called.Tp do what you suggested I would have to sign into iMessage.
Thanks
David

 

[Rod]

I must admit I'm puzzled, why would you not want free text messaging between iPhones (not to mention other devices) ? I mean I understand that some mobile carriers charge more for iMessages but only if you reply or use when on mobile data. On WiFi its almost free.


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[Rod]

The bad news is that Messages is a native app so it cannot be removed. It is a little like saying you don't want to use iCloud. Apple's online services are so integral to the way a Mac functions today it's almost impossible to opt out completely. Of course being signed in doesn't mean you have to use it but perhaps like iCloud it will continue to pester you with notifications.


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[Tomos]

Thanks Rod. My iPhone is not on a contract it’s a pay as you go system. I can transfer any amount of money into the phone when required.
So the data setup on the phone is turned off.
Are you saying that if I sign into iMessage on the MacBook that it will be free to use?,and keep iPhone as it is?
Does that confuse you more?
David


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[Rod]

David, that is an interesting question. I too have a prepaid iPhone here in Indonesia and I do use iMessage but on Mobile Data. It’s pretty cheap here.
As for your question, I cannot see why it wouldn’t work if you were only signed in on your computer but I think you need to enter a phone number as part of the setup. This may have implications for your phone. You would probably need to sign in on you phone too. Of course as mentioned, just because you have it doesn’t mean you have to use it.


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[Tomos]

Thanks will have good deep look into it all iPhone etc.
Big thanks
David

 

[IWT]

Rod and David

My understanding is that the iPhone acts a conduit between itself and a Mac. So if the Messages app is turned off on your iPhone, you can't send/receive texts on it or your Mac. They are held on the Apple Servers till you turn it on on the iPhone.

You can used your Apple ID to send and receive messages and this is useful to those who have a Mac bit no iPhone. But that's not what you are after anyway.

The Links below seem to corroborate my impression and there is, for interest a Link to using Apple ID which is complicated.

What happens to iMessages sent to an iPhone that is off? - Quora
Can I use iMessage in my Mac without ever… - Apple Community
How to iMessage Non-iPhone Users | It Still Works

Ian

 

[Rod]

Thanks Ian, that is something like I imagined.


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