How to Turn Off iMessage on Mac (macOS Sonoma Updated)

🗓️ August 24, 2023 By ✍️ Jaysukh patel

iMessage is on to go platform for texting other users with Apple devices. But unfortunately, you can’t use iMessage to exchange text with Android and Windows users. If you frequently talk to non-Apple users, or if you’ve just recently switched to a non-iOS device, you might want to turn off iMessage to ensure your text reaches the right person. Luckily, Apple makes it easy to turn off iMessage on Mac. Here’s how.

iMessage Settings in Messages on Mac

In this guide, we’ll show you how to disable iMessage on a Mac.

Steps to turn off iMessage on Mac

Before proceeding to the procedure, you should know that this method will sign out from your Apple ID on your Mac computer. So, you may lose access to other Apple services when you sign in. 

Step 1: Access the Messages on your Mac computer. It may be located in the dock of your Mac. You can access it from the Applications in Finder if it isn’t available there. 

Step 2: Select Messages from Menubar. Click Settings…

Select messages from menubar click settings on mac
Select messages from menubar click settings on mac

Step 3: Go to iMessage Tab. Choose Sign-Out. 

Go to iMessage tab choose sing-out on mac
Go to iMessage tab choose sing-out on mac

You will be signed out from your iMessage account -as well as another account that is linked to your Apple ID. That’s all; you will no longer receive and send messages from your Mac.

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Steps to turn off iMessage notifications on Mac

The below procedure will completely turn off Message notifications. However, if you want to use the Message app and avoid distraction by notifications, you can disable it by following the steps below. 

Step 1: Access the Apple Menu from the Mac Menubar. Select System Settings…

System Settings on Mac
System Settings on Mac

Step 2: Choose Notification from the left panel. In the menu on the right side, you will see a list of applications. Choose Messages.

Open Notifications Settings on Mac
Open Notifications Settings on Mac

Step 3: Finally, disable the toggle next to the Allow Notification

Turn off Message Notifications on Mac
Turn off Message Notifications on Mac

This will turn off notifications for the Messages app on your Mac so you can focus on your Mac computer. But in this case, you can still send and receive messages from your Mac. If you want to enable notification, you can go back in and enable the toggle next to the Allow Notifications.

Customize notifications in Messages Settings

You might wonder how to disable iMessage on Mac because you’re bombarded with various messages. 

Step 1: Open the Messages App.

Open the messages app on mac
Open the messages app on mac

Step 2: Select Messages from menubar. Click Settings.

Open Messages App Settings on Mac
Open Messages App Settings on Mac

Step 3: Go to the General Tab.

Now you can untick Notify me about messages from unknown contacts and Notify me when my name is mentioned.

Turn on Notify me about messages from unknown contacts
Turn on Notify me about messages from unknown contacts

Besides all of this, you can also disable Auto-play Messages Effect and Play Sound Effect.

Mute conversations individually

The best part is that Apple Message also lets you mute conversations individually. If there’s a particular chat you want to prevent, you can do so with just a few clicks. Here’s how.

  1. Open Messages and right-click on the conversation in the sidebar.
  2. From the pop-up menu, select Hide Alerts.
  3. Once you do so, you’ll see cross through bell icon, which shows the conversation is muted. Follow the same procedure for each conversation you want to mute.
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Remember, perform the same procedure to unmute the chat conversation individually. 

Temporarily block notifications via Notification Center

If you want to avoid distraction completely, you can temporarily turn it off with just a couple of clicks using Notification Center. This involves enabling Focus feature, designed to reduce distraction so you can focus on your work. 

However, fuss not, iMessage won’t stop syncing, but your Mac will hide notifications until you turn the feature off. This is an excellent and temporary way to keep messages notifications quiet.

  1. On the top right-hand side of your menu bar, click Notification Center Icon > Focus.
  2. Now select Do Not Disturb. You won’t receive any alerts until you turn off Do Not Disturb.  

That’s It! 

Final Thought!

This is how you can disable iMessage on a Mac. However, if you don’t want to disable iMessage completely, you can mute notifications conversations, and we’ve covered all things above in the article. Moreover, if you have a relatable query, please drop it in the below comment box.

Jaysukh Patel
Jaysukh Patel

Jaysukh Patel is the founder of howtoisolve. Also self Professional Developer, Techno lover mainly for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and iOS, Jaysukh is one of responsible person in his family. Contact On: jaysukh.pharma@gmail.com [OR] admin@howtoisolve.com

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