Why you might want to sign out of iMessage

Signing out of iMessage on your Mac stops Apple from routing your text messages and FaceTime calls through that computer. You might do this if you're selling the Mac, giving it to someone else, troubleshooting message delivery problems, or straightforward don't want texts arriving on that device anymore. Unlike signing out of email, iMessage sign-out is straightforward — it takes about 30 seconds and doesn't require you to remember a separate password.

When you sign out, your phone keeps working normally. iMessage will still deliver to your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Only that specific Mac loses the ability to send and receive messages through iMessage. This is useful if you want to keep iMessage active on your phone but remove it from a work computer, a shared family Mac, or a device you no longer use regularly.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Messages app on your Mac, click Messages in the top menu bar, then click Account Settings to find the Sign Out button next to your Apple ID.
  • After you sign out, iMessage stops working on that Mac, but your phone and other Apple devices continue to receive messages normally.
  • If you're selling or giving away the Mac, sign out of iMessage and then remove your Apple ID entirely from System Settings to prevent the new owner from accessing your accounts.
  • If you can't find Account Settings, your Mac may be running an older version of macOS — look for Preferences instead and navigate to the Accounts tab.

The fastest way: sign out directly from Messages

Open the Messages app on your Mac. In the menu bar at the very top of your screen, click Messages (not your message list — the word "Messages" itself in the top-left corner). A dropdown menu appears. Click Account Settings.

You'll see your Apple ID listed with a Sign Out button next to it. Click that button. Messages will ask you to confirm — click Sign Out again. That's the whole process. Your Mac is now disconnected from iMessage and will no longer receive incoming messages or calls routed through Apple's servers.

What happens after you sign out

Your Mac will no longer receive iMessages or FaceTime calls. If someone texts your phone number, it will arrive on your iPhone or iPad, not on this Mac. If someone sends a message to your Apple ID email address, it will go to your other devices, not this one. Any message threads that were previously synced to this Mac will remain visible in the Messages app, but you won't be able to send new messages or receive new ones.

The Messages app stays on your Mac — you just won't be able to send or receive anything through it until you sign back in with an Apple ID. You can delete the app entirely if you want, but signing out is usually enough. The app itself takes up minimal space, so most people leave it installed in case they want to sign back in later.

If you're selling or giving away the Mac

Sign out of iMessage before you hand the computer over. This prevents the new owner from receiving your messages or seeing your message history. It's also a good idea to sign out of iCloud, your Apple ID, and any other accounts you use on that Mac — not just iMessage.

To fully remove your account from the Mac, go to System Settings, click General, then scroll down to Login Items. Find your Apple ID and click the minus button. This removes your account from the entire computer, not just Messages. After you do this, the new owner can set up their own Apple ID and use all the Mac's features without accessing any of your personal data or accounts.

Troubleshooting if you can't find the sign-out button

If you open Messages and don't see Account Settings in the menu, your Mac is probably running macOS Monterey or older. On those versions, the steps are slightly different. Click Messages in the top menu, then look for Preferences instead of Account Settings. Click that, then go to the Accounts tab. You should see your Apple ID listed with a sign-out option nearby.

If you still don't see it, try updating your Mac to the latest version of macOS. Go to System Settings, click General, then Software Update. Once your Mac is current, the Account Settings option will appear in Messages and the process becomes the same as described above.

What to do if you want to sign back in later

Open Messages again. Click Messages in the top menu bar, then Account Settings. This time you'll see a Sign In button instead of Sign Out. Click it, enter your Apple ID and password, and iMessage will start working on that Mac again within a few seconds. Your message history will reappear, and you'll begin receiving new messages on this device again.

If you've forgotten your Apple ID password, go to iforgot.apple.com to reset it before you try to sign back in to Messages. You'll need a working password to complete the sign-in process, so resetting it first saves time and prevents repeated failed login attempts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my iPhone still get texts if I sign out on my Mac?

Yes. Your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch will continue to receive iMessages and FaceTime calls normally. Signing out on one device doesn't affect the others.

Can I sign out of iMessage but keep using other Apple services on my Mac?

Yes. Signing out of iMessage only disconnects Messages. Your Apple ID stays active for iCloud, the App Store, and everything else. You're only removing that one app's access.

What if someone texts me while I'm signed out?

If they text your phone number, it goes to your iPhone or iPad. If they text your Apple ID email address, it goes to your other signed-in devices. The Mac won't receive anything because it's no longer connected to iMessage.

Do I need to sign out before selling my Mac?

Yes. Signing out of iMessage is important, but you should also sign out of iCloud and your Apple ID entirely before giving the Mac to someone else. This prevents them from seeing your messages, photos, or other personal data.

How do I know if I'm actually signed out?

Open Messages and click Messages in the top menu bar. If you see Account Settings with a Sign In button instead of Sign Out, you're logged out. If the Messages app shows an error when you try to open it, that's another sign you're no longer connected to iMessage.