iPhone One Apple ID on several devices. Proper iMessage configuration?

[RichardF]

Could someone kindly help me understand how to set up iMessage properly on 4 different devices signed into iCloud, FaceTime and iMessage using the same Apple ID?

Those of you whom have several Apple devices, do you use the same Apple ID on all of them?

Do the settings under Message pertain to that particular device or are they global to all the devices using the same Apple ID?

My details:

Device 1: iPhone 6

Device 2: iPhone 6

Device 3: iPhone 4S

Device 4: iPad Air

Device 5: rMBP


1) There are times I need to text someone from Device 2.

Settings > Messages > Send & Receive > Start New Conversation from: I have selected this devices phone number.
Does this expose my Apple ID to the recipient of my text message if they happen to use an Apple device?

2) Should I turn-off iMessage all together on Device 2 if I only want to text (send a SMS) to all my recipients? I tried and restarted the ipHone 6 but

 

[dhlizard]

You can use 1 AppleID for family AppStore/music purchases. But if the devices are being used by different family members who need/want individual messaging/FaceTime/iCloud, you need to set up an AppleID for each individual and their device(s). One person can use the family AppleID for messaging, FaceTime, iCloud, but each other person needs a different AppleID for themselves (except for shared purchasing).

 

[bransoj]

We use the same Apple ID on my phone, my ipad and my wifes iphone. Just an age old setup from prior to Family Sharing that i've never had the need or time to change mainly because it all works fine! On our phones we just have iMessage set up on the phones so they only Send & Receive from our actual numbers with all the other options unticked. I have Text Message Forwarding enabled on my phone to my iPad which works fine and the iPad is signed into iMessage in a similar way i think, dont have it to hand, and only receives my iMessages.

I also have Calls on Other Devices under Phone settings turned off to ensure we only get calls on our own phones.

I suspect Family Sharing is a better option but i cant be bothered with going through the messing about setting it all up when ours work fine as it stands.

 

[Paco II]

Op, what is your objective? Personally I have I messages sent from my Apple ID since I change SIMs when traveling. This way people aren't getting messages from numbers they don't recognize. But what are you trying to do?

 

[Oppie1]

Op, what is your objective? Personally I have I messages sent from my Apple ID since I change SIMs when traveling. This way people aren't getting messages from numbers they don't recognize. But what are you trying to do?

Im looking for something similar to that. I have 2 iphones with different numbers(1 personal and 1 provided by work). I would like to have both signed in to my 1 icloud account (since I have the 50gb storage plan, would like to have both phones backed up to that). I do not want my imessages from my work phone showing up on my personal phone. is there a way to do that?

 

[Max(IT)]

Same Apple ID, same iMessages. No way to avoid that unless you disable entirely iMessage on one device

 

[Oppie1]

Same Apple ID, same iMessages. No way to avoid that unless you disable entirely iMessage on one device

might have to try that way then. thanks

 

[bransoj]

Same Apple ID, same iMessages. No way to avoid that unless you disable entirely iMessage on one device

Not true...see my post earlier in the thread. My phone and my wife's iPhone are both logged into my Apple ID but receive separate iMessages based on the phone number.

Actually come to think of it make it three iPhones on the same id receiving separate iMessages. I forgot about my wife's work iPhone as well which uses my Apple ID.

 

[Max(IT)]

Not true...see my post earlier in the thread. My phone and my wife's iPhone are both logged into my Apple ID but receive separate iMessages based on the phone number.

Actually come to think of it make it three iPhones on the same id receiving separate iMessages. I forgot about my wife's work iPhone as well which uses my Apple ID.

I have no direct experience on that (my wife has a different Apple ID) but I can't see how it is possible.
When you send an iMessage to a contact, that contact is identified by Apple ID , mail and phone number. How can it split different phone numbers associated with the same Apple ID ?

 

[Paco II]

Per device, you can choose from which Apple Id identifier that device receives messages for.

Now the weird part is with this approach have to have trust, since either person can enable all ids and receive all messages.

I have no direct experience on that (my wife has a different Apple ID) but I can't see how it is possible.
When you send an iMessage to a contact, that contact is identified by Apple ID , mail and phone number. How can it split different phone numbers associated with the same Apple ID ?

 

[bransoj]

Per device, you can choose from which Apple Id identifier that device receives messages for.

Now the weird part is with this approach have to have trust, since either person can enable all ids and receive all messages.

Yeh i have all three phones set to the phone number of each and nothing else and i suspect my other half wouldnt even know what to change so her deciding to get all my messages is not an issue. Also i've no interest in receiving hers as she gets loads that i have no interest in reading!!

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

2 people, 2 AppleID's. Everything else will cause trouble at some point.

If you need to share stuff, use Family Sharing.

 

[bransoj]

2 people, 2 AppleID's. Everything else will cause trouble at some point.

If you need to share stuff, use Family Sharing.

Potentially so but we've been doing it for about 5 years now without any issues at all!!

 

[Paco II]

I'm sure if does work for you. But it definitely would not scale very well. And if you ever have an issue with that Apple ID, it affects your whole group. And it makes it hard for one of you to choose a different send from. And new devices will default to receiving from all identifiers. But that's somewhat OT from original post. Glad it's working!

Potentially so but we've been doing it for about 5 years now without any issues at all!!

 

[wacky4alanis]

My wife and I have the same apple ID. We both use iMessage without any problems. The trick is to NOT use your apple ID for iMessages. Under the settings page for messages, click on the "Send&Receive" button. At the top of the screen you need to sign out of your apple ID. Once you've both done that, iMessages will ONLY be tied to your phone number. When you're done signing out, you will have a new button that says "Use your Apple ID for iMessage". Just leave it like that and you will be fine... Note that you may have to re-apply this setting when you do major upgrades or get a new phone, because it is NOT the default setting.

 

[RichardF]

Thank you everyone for your taking the time to help!

To clarify:
I am the only user of these devices.
I prefer having them all signed into the same ID because this way all my devices can be seen in one place under Find My iPhone/ iPad/ Mac http://www.apple.com/icloud/find-my-iphone.html and also under Devices in Apple ID https://appleid.apple.com/

This way I don't have to manage, sign-into and sign-out of numerous different Apple IDs.


That being said, for the iPhones, I need each to be independent when it comes to iMessage/ texting.

I have iMessage turned-off on the iPhone 4S but it is enable on all my other devices.

I have different phone numbers for work and if I text a client from one phone, I don't want that person to see my Apple ID or the other phone numbers associated with my Apple ID and iMessage, only the phone number of the iPhone I texted from.


This is the part I was not sure about:
On my work phone iPhone 6 # 2 this is how things look

Settings > Message > Send & Receive

You can be reached by iMessage at

✓ XXX-XXX-1234 (iPhone 6)
✓ XXX-XXX-9999 (iPhone 6 # 2) grayed out - cannot deselect
✓ myemail@address.com (Apple ID)

Start new conversation from

XXX-XXX-1234

✓ XXX-XXX-9999

myemail@address.com




Based on what everyone wrote, it sounds like the settings for iMessage on a particular device using an Apple ID common to several devices are just for that device in particular and they are not "global"/ implemented on the other devices. This is great.
If I wanted to received iMessages sent to one device, e.g: XXX-XXX-1234 (iPhone 6) on another one of my devices e.g: myemail@address.com (Apple ID used on rMBP), then on the rMBP, I would select XXX-XXX-1234 also.




[doublepost=1452668935][/doublepost]

Op, what is your objective? Personally I have I messages sent from my Apple ID since I change SIMs when traveling. This way people aren't getting messages from numbers they don't recognize. But what are you trying to do?

This is a great point. I do swap SIMs when traveling as well.
I really look forward to Apple coming out with a dual SIM phone. I know... not holding by breath.
I looked and looked on the Android side just recently: it has so many great dual-SIM and now triple-SIM models (I used Nexus phones concurrently with iOS for years and gave up) but I just can't trust Google and the Apps on Android with all the permissions most of them require when their core function don't even require them (yes, I know some can be denied within the OS after installing).

Per device, you can choose from which Apple Id identifier that device receives messages for.

[...]

Indeed, so it seems. Thank you for clarifying and confirming this.

2 people, 2 AppleID's. Everything else will cause trouble at some point.

If you need to share stuff, use Family Sharing.

I have never used Family Sharing. Will look. Thank you.

I'm sure if does work for you. But it definitely would not scale very well. And if you ever have an issue with that Apple ID, it affects your whole group. And it makes it hard for one of you to choose a different send from. And new devices will default to receiving from all identifiers. But that's somewhat OT from original post. Glad it's working!

A set up with the same Apple ID for several devices does create a lot of possible combinations and permutations!

My wife and I have the same apple ID. We both use iMessage without any problems. The trick is to NOT use your apple ID for iMessages. Under the settings page for messages, click on the "Send&Receive" button. At the top of the screen you need to sign out of your apple ID. Once you've both done that, iMessages will ONLY be tied to your phone number. When you're done signing out, you will have a new button that says "Use your Apple ID for iMessage". Just leave it like that and you will be fine... Note that you may have to re-apply this setting when you do major upgrades or get a new phone, because it is NOT the default setting.

I thought it wasn't possible to use iMessage without being signed-in.

 

[Jayson A]

By the way, you don't even need an Apple ID to use iMessage on an iPhone. You can use iMessage without logging into iCloud.

 

[wacky4alanis]

Thank you everyone for your taking the time to help!
I thought it wasn't possible to use iMessage without being signed-in.

Yes - it is possible, and it avoids a lot of annoying issues with messages going to multiple devices. Just click on your e-mail address in the "Send&Receive" settings page, and it will let you sign out. Try it - you may like it. You will still be logged into iCloud for "Find My iPhone" and such. That "Send&Receive" settings page only affects iMessages.

 

[ashindnile]

We have five iOS devices in the family, all with one account.
It's simple really!
Go to Manage Apple ID and add as many email addresses as you have devices.
In send and receive, each device gets its own email. But only ONE remains ticked.
Depending on your choice, the imessages you send to the respective ids reach the respective devices. And the device you send a text with shows that email as your ID.
And yeah, you can use a phone number instead too.
Just as long as they don't coincide you're good.

 

[Paco II]

I'm sure it works, but such a hassle to maintain/manage. For pre- Family Sharing accounts I kind of understand, but nowadays, why bother?

We have five iOS devices in the family, all with one account.
It's simple really!
Go to Manage Apple ID and add as many email addresses as you have devices.
In send and receive, each device gets its own email. But only ONE remains ticked.
Depending on your choice, the imessages you send to the respective ids reach the respective devices. And the device you send a text with shows that email as your ID.
And yeah, you can use a phone number instead too.
Just as long as they don't coincide you're good.

 

[bransoj]

I'm sure it works, but such a hassle to maintain/manage. For pre- Family Sharing accounts I kind of understand, but nowadays, why bother?

Not really....new phone, log in, amend iMessage setting to be just phone number, leave it to run without any issues. No maintenance required.

 

[Paco II]

But this has to be done for every iphone and iPad that shares the Apple ID, every time there's a new device , every time the device is restored, etc. Again, with family sharing nowadays there seems to be far less reasons to go with this approach.

Not really....new phone, log in, amend iMessage setting to be just phone number, leave it to run without any issues. No maintenance required.

 

[wacky4alanis]

I find that having an e-mail address associated with iMessage just confuses things. What's the point?? You can even end up having two message threads with the same person - one via your phone number, and the other via your e-mail address. Unless you really NEED that feature, I think it is much cleaner/easier to just sign out and only use your phone number for messaging.

 

[Jayson A]

I find that having an e-mail address associated with iMessage just confuses things. What's the point?? You can even end up having two message threads with the same person - one via your phone number, and the other via your e-mail address. Unless you really NEED that feature, I think it is much cleaner/easier to just sign out and only use your phone number for messaging.

Exactly! You don't actually NEED an email address in iMessage. I use it only because you can't log into iMessage on the Mac based on phone number alone, but I just make sure I uncheck that email address and only use the phone number associated with that account.

 

[Paco II]

Opposite for me. Since I switch SIMs for travel regularly, by having my From address be my email address, I ensure my conversations remain consistent and people can continue to reach me regardless of SIM and phone number. For me, using my email address is essential. Definitely to each their own, and glad we have options.

Exactly! You don't actually NEED an email address in iMessage. I use it only because you can't log into iMessage on the Mac based on phone number alone, but I just make sure I uncheck that email address and only use the phone number associated with that account.