Using iMessage on a Mac may be convenient for some users, but it may be a distraction or an invasion of their privacy for others. You must know how to sign out of iMessage on a Mac if this is your situation. Here is a simple guide that will show you how to do it.
Also check: How to Save a Mac Image Like a Pro
How to sign out of iMessage on Mac temporarily?
If you only wish to sign out iMessage temporarily on your Mac, you can do so if you only want to stop receiving messages for a short period. It’s effortless to do on your Mac.
You can follow these steps on how to sign out of messages on Mac desktop temporarily:
Step 1: From your Dock, click Launchpad, search for Messages, and click the app when it appears.
Step 2: Open the app, click on the Messages option at the top, and select Preferences.
Step 3: You will need to find the version you want to disable under the left-hand sidebar, click on it, and de-tick the box on the right-hand side that says Enable this account.
On your Mac, the service will be disabled for your chosen account. You can enable it at any time by ticking the box, and you’re ready to go.
How to sign out of iMessage on Mac completely?
If you are not planning on using iMessage on your Mac for the foreseeable future, you might turn it off completely. The easiest way is to sign out of your account in the Messages app. Here’s how to sign out of messages on Mac completely:
1 Step: Look for the Messages app in your Launchpad and click on it when you find it.
2 Step: Then click on the Messages menu at the top and choose Preferences.
3 Step: You can sign out by clicking on your account in the left sidebar and clicking the Sign Out button on the following screen.
Your iMessage account will be deactivated, and you will no longer receive messages from that account on your Mac.
Grey Account Prevents Signing Out of iMessage on Mac
As discussed earlier, you will need to use the Accounts tab to sign out of iMessage on Mac for both the temporary and permanent modes. However, some users may find the Account tab completely greyed out.
Therefore, you can neither sign out permanently nor temporarily from iMessage on a Mac. Refresh your Mac and if you’re experiencing the same issue, consider these options for how to sign out from iMessage on Mac temporarily:
1 Method: How to sign out of messages on Mac using Safe Mode
You can try rebooting your Mac in safe mode if your account option does not appear and you cannot sign out. When you log out safely, the window will no longer show grey.
You need to turn off your Mac. When turning it on, hold down Shift while you do so. Upon booting your Mac in safe mode, open the iMessage app and select your account preference in Messages > Preferences > Accounts.
2 Method: Delete Your Phone Number from Contacts
Your Mac’s iMessage will also be disabled if you remove your number from contacts. Follow these steps to log out of Messages on a MacBook Pro.
- The Apple logo will appear in the upper left corner, click on it, and choose System Preferences.
- Click iCloud in the window that appears.
- Select an option from the list Account Details.
- On the following screen, click the Contact tab.
- Please click on the – (minus) Sign after selecting your phone number in the list.
After deleting a number on your Mac, you will no longer receive iMessage from that number.
3 Method: Install the latest version of macOS on your Mac
If you can still sign out of Messages after using all of the above techniques, your Mac’s operating system may be the culprit.
Updating your Mac to the latest macOS version is one way to resolve this issue. You can select About This Mac and click Software Update by clicking the Apple logo.
How to disable iMessage notifications on your Mac?
By following the steps, you will completely disable the Messages app. However, these simple steps below will turn off notifications, so you are not distracted by them while using the app:
- At the left corner of the screen, click the Apple logo to open the Apple menu.
- From the drop-down menu, select “System Preferences.”
- Select the “Notifications” icon.
- There is a list of apps on the left side of the screen. Click “Messages.”
- Scroll down to “Message alert style” and click “None.”
Bonus Tips To Recover Mac OS Data
When users do things like Sign out and remove their account details, they sometimes accidentally delete their important files. The following steps should help you get those files back.
Tenoshare 4DDiG is the best hard drive data recovery software. It is an excellent software that can help you recover deleted Mac files. However, people who have never worked with such software before can use the tools and follow the steps below to retrieve data.
1- Install the software and open it. To scan the drive, select it and click scan.
2- You can pick which files you want to restore by clicking the recover button.
3- To recover the files, choose a folder to store them in. You can now re-access your files.
On Mac, Where Can you Find Preferences?
You can change your Mac’s general preferences for Messages by using its General preferences menu. Select Messages > Preferences, then click General.
Conclusion
Whether you’re new to Mac or unable to perform the same, we’ve already provided a detailed guide on how you can sign out of iMessage on Mac. Learn all the methods for the same to do it properly. It might be helpful to you.
Update your Mac OS to the latest version, As this method is very easy and more authentic to sign out of iMessage. Alternatively, you can enable Do Not Disturb mode. So, you will not get notifications of messages. Also, if you don’t know how to save images on Mac, check our website.
