Messages no longer fully syncing between iPhone and MBP

[Big Byte]

I noticed yesterday that messages between my iPhone and MBP are not fully syncing. New text messages still show up on both devices, but when I delete a conversation on my MBP, it no longer automatically deletes it on my iPhone as it did before. I've been using Messages on my iPhone and MBP for several years now, on both older devices and my new devices, and I have never had this issue before. I think it started when my iPhone updated last week to iOS 16.1.1.

Any ideas what's causing this and how to resolve it?

Thanks.

 

[ferrarr]

Well it's hard to say without knowing which macOS version your MBP is using? Is there an update available for macOS?

 

[Big Byte]

Well it's hard to say without knowing which macOS version your MBP is using? Is there an update available for macOS?

Hi, the MBP is a 2020 M1, currently running OS Monterey 16.1. The update to Ventura is available, but I have yet to go through with it.

 

[ferrarr]

Monterey 16.1

Is that a typo? My older Mac Mini is on 12.6.1. When I connect my iPhone (13) to it, it had to download an update to sync properly. That's the reason I asked about an OS update.

 

[Big Byte]

Is that a typo? My older Mac Mini is on 12.6.1. When I connect my iPhone (13) to it, it had to download an update to sync properly. That's the reason I asked about an OS update.

Yes, yes it is a typo. Don't know how I saw 16.1, but the OS is 12.6. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[IWT]

the OS is 12.6.

I think that's the problem. Your iPhone 13 is way behind the latest iOS. I too have an iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 range can take the latest iOS which is 16.1.1

Upgrade your iOS to the latest version - this could take some time jumping fro 12 to 16. When done, it will sync just fine.

Sadly, your macOS is near enough up to date, but not your iPhone.

Ian

 

[Big Byte]

I think that's the problem. Your iPhone 13 is way behind the latest iOS. I too have an iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 range can take the latest iOS which is 16.1.1

Upgrade your iOS to the latest version - this could take some time jumping fro 12 to 16. When done, it will sync just fine.

Sadly, your macOS is near enough up to date, but not your iPhone.

Ian

I probably wasn't clear in my posts.

My MBP is a 2020 M1 running OS Monterey 12.6. My iPhone, which I didn't list the model of, is an SE running iOS 16.1.1 Both devices were bought brand new in May of this year from Apple Canada.

Sorry for the confusion.

Just to mention again, everything was working just fine up until last week when my iPhone updated to 16.1.1.

 

[IWT]

@Big Byte

First thing: latest iOS is 16.2. I suggest you update to that first and see if the problem has disappeared.

If the update to 16.1.1 was the start of the trouble, as you say, 16.2 may be its solution

Ian

 

[Lifeisabeach]

The problem is Monterey. Apple rolled out enhancements to iMessage that require iOS 16 and Ventura. Until you update to Ventura, messages will be out of sync.

 

[Rod]

I'm afraid Lifeisabeach is correct. It's why Apple constantly reminds us to keep all our devices up to date with the latest versions and updates.
Sadly this causes obvious problems for users with older Mac computers incompatible with later macOS designed to run in conjunction with current iOS/iPadOS/WatchOS/TVOS.

Big Byte, Upgrading your M1 MBP to macOS Ventura 13.1 should fix the problem but do read up on the changes in Ventura. There have been some pretty dramatic ones since Monterey.
Here is a site with all of the major changes and new features;

macOS Ventura: 50 New Features and Changes Worth Checking Out

Apple today released macOS Ventura, the latest version of the company's Mac operating system. macOS Ventura is a significant update that...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Slydude]

There have been some pretty dramatic ones since Monterey.
Here is a site with all of the major changes and new features;

macOS Ventura: 50 New Features and Changes Worth Checking Out

Apple today released macOS Ventura, the latest version of the company's Mac operating system. macOS Ventura is a significant update that...

www.macrumors.com

Thanks for that link Rod. Now that I have Ventura running on my 2015 iMac I guess I need to do a deep dive into the new features/changes.

 

[Rod]

You're entirely welcome. Worth checking the Apple site too. macOS Ventura
This site with its search bar enables you to look up all the new features.

 

[Slydude]

I haven't spent a lot of time learning about Ventura because my late 2015 iMac isn't supposed to be able to run it at all. I read about the Open Core Patcher in this thread iMac 2009 11,1 27" - how do I make useable?

After a couple of false starts/missteps Ventura is running about as fast on my unsupported Mac as Monterey (which is supported).