Why you might want to disable iMessage
iMessage is Apple's messaging service that runs on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. When it is turned on, your Mac automatically sends and receives messages through Apple's servers instead of through standard text messages. You might want to turn it off if you are switching to a different messaging platform, if you share your Mac with other people, or if you want messages to go only to your phone instead of multiple devices.
Disabling iMessage on your Mac does not delete your account or affect iMessage on your iPhone or iPad — it only stops that particular Mac from using the service. Your phone will continue to work normally, and people can still reach you through text message or other apps.
Key Takeaways
- Open Messages on your Mac, go to Preferences, and uncheck the box next to your phone number or Apple ID to disable iMessage on that device only.
- Disabling iMessage on your Mac does not affect iMessage on your iPhone, iPad, or other devices.
- After you disable iMessage, your Mac will no longer receive messages sent to your Apple ID or phone number through iMessage.
- If you want to stop using iMessage entirely across all devices, you will need to disable it on each device separately.
Open the Messages app and find Preferences
Start by opening the Messages app on your Mac. You can find it in your Applications folder or by clicking the Launchpad icon in your dock and searching for "Messages." Once the app is open, look at the menu bar at the top of your screen — you should see "Messages" as the first menu option on the left.
Click on "Messages" in the menu bar, then scroll down until you see "Preferences" or "Settings." Click on it. A window will open showing your account information and messaging settings.
Locate your account information
In the Preferences window, you should see a list of accounts on the left side. Your Apple ID or phone number will be listed there. Click on the account you want to disable — this is usually the one with your phone number or the Apple ID you use on your Mac.
Once you select your account, the right side of the window will show details about that account, including checkboxes next to your phone number and Apple ID. These checkboxes control whether iMessage uses each identifier to send and receive messages.
Uncheck the boxes to disable iMessage
You will see checkboxes next to your phone number and your Apple ID email address. To disable iMessage on your Mac, uncheck both of these boxes. If only your phone number is listed, uncheck that one. If only your Apple ID is listed, uncheck that one.
After you uncheck the boxes, iMessage will no longer use those identifiers on this Mac. You may see a message asking you to confirm the change — click "OK" or "Confirm" to proceed. The change takes effect when ready.
Verify the change worked
Close the Preferences window and return to the main Messages app. If iMessage is now disabled, you should see a message at the top of the app saying something like "Not Signed In" or "iMessage is not available." This confirms that iMessage is no longer active on your Mac.
Try sending a message to yourself from your iPhone or another device to your Mac's phone number or Apple ID. If iMessage is disabled correctly, the message will not appear in Messages on your Mac — it will only arrive as a standard text message on your phone, if at all.
What happens after you disable iMessage
Once iMessage is off on your Mac, people who message you through iMessage will not reach your Mac. Their messages will go to your iPhone or iPad instead, if those devices still have iMessage turned on. If you have iMessage disabled on all your devices, messages sent through iMessage will fail to deliver, and the sender will see a notification that the message could not be sent.
Your Mac can still receive standard text messages (SMS) if you have that feature set up, but iMessage specifically will not work. If you change your mind later, you can turn iMessage back on by following the same steps and checking the boxes again.
If you want to disable iMessage everywhere
If you want to stop using iMessage on all your devices, you will need to repeat this process on your iPhone, iPad, and any other Mac you own. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, scroll to Messages, and toggle off "iMessage." On another Mac, follow the same steps described above.
You can also sign out of your Apple ID entirely on your Mac if you want to stop using Apple services across the board, but that is a larger step that affects more than just iMessage. Disabling iMessage through Preferences is the simpler option if you only want to turn off messaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling iMessage on my Mac delete my message history?
No. Your existing messages will remain in the Messages app on your Mac. Disabling iMessage only stops new messages from coming in through that service — it does not erase conversations you have already had.
Can I disable iMessage on my Mac but keep it on my iPhone?
Yes. Each device is independent. You can disable iMessage on your Mac while keeping it active on your iPhone, iPad, or any other device. People will still be able to reach you through iMessage on your phone.
What if I do not see the Preferences option in the Messages menu?
On newer versions of macOS, it might be called "Settings" instead of "Preferences." Look for either option in the Messages menu at the top. If you still cannot find it, make sure you are looking at the menu bar at the very top of your screen, not inside the Messages window itself.
Will my contacts know that I disabled iMessage?
No. Your contacts will not receive a notification that you turned off iMessage. They may notice that messages are no longer marked as "Delivered" on your Mac, but they will not know why unless you tell them.
Can I turn iMessage back on later?
Yes. Follow the same steps and check the boxes next to your phone number and Apple ID again. iMessage will reactivate on your Mac, and you will start receiving messages through that service again.