How to Disconnect iMessage on a Mac

Disconnecting iMessage on a Mac signs the Messages app out of the Apple Account used for iMessage, so that Mac stops sending and receiving iMessages through that account. You can do this without deleting messages from your other devices; before you start, make sure you know your Apple Account sign-in details in case you want to reconnect later.

What You’ll Need

Access to the Mac and its Messages app.
Your Apple Account credentials if you may want to sign back in.
A moment to check whether you want to stop only iMessage or also text-message forwarding from your iPhone.

Step-by-Step

Open Messages. Click the Messages icon in the Dock or open it from the Applications folder. If prompted, unlock the Mac or sign in to your user account.
Open the account settings. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, choose Messages > Settings. On older macOS versions, the menu item may be called Preferences. Select the iMessage tab.
Check which account is signed in. The iMessage pane shows the Apple Account currently connected to Messages. If you have more than one account, confirm you are disconnecting the intended one.
Sign out of iMessage. Click Sign Out and confirm if asked. The Mac will stop using that account for iMessage. Depending on your macOS version, the button may appear near the account details or below them.
Verify the sign-out. The iMessage settings should show a sign-in prompt or no active account instead of the connected account. You can close Settings and Messages afterward.
Check text-message forwarding separately if needed. Signing out of iMessage on the Mac does not necessarily change your iPhone’s settings. If ordinary SMS or MMS messages still appear on the Mac, use your iPhone: open Settings > Apps > Messages > Text Message Forwarding on recent iOS versions. Turn off the Mac in the device list. On some older iOS versions, Messages is directly in Settings rather than under Apps.

Signing out is usually the right choice if you are handing off a Mac, no longer want messages on it, or want to troubleshoot account syncing. If you only want fewer notifications, consider changing notification settings instead; signing out stops iMessage on that Mac rather than merely silencing alerts.

Common Mistakes

Looking in the Mac’s Apple Account settings. The sign-out control for iMessage is inside Messages > Settings > iMessage, not necessarily in System Settings under your Apple Account.
Confusing iMessage with SMS forwarding. iMessage uses Apple’s messaging service. SMS and MMS forwarding from an iPhone is controlled separately on the phone, so check both places if the Mac continues to receive texts.
Deleting conversations instead of signing out. Removing a conversation is not required to disconnect the account and may remove content from devices depending on your message-sync settings. Sign out first; do not delete chats unless that is what you intend.
Expecting every message to disappear from every device. Signing out disconnects this Mac. It does not automatically sign out your iPhone or other Macs, and it does not guarantee that message history already stored locally on the Mac is erased.
Using the wrong account. If you have multiple Apple Accounts or addresses associated with iMessage, check the account shown before signing out. Account changes can affect which conversations and addresses are available on this Mac.

Tips

If you are selling, giving away, or recycling the Mac, signing out of iMessage is only one part of preparing it. Also sign out of other Apple services as appropriate, back up anything you need, and follow Apple’s current erase-and-reset instructions for the Mac before it leaves your possession.
If you are troubleshooting, note the account and settings before changing them. After signing out, restart the Mac if the app still appears connected, then reopen the iMessage settings to confirm the status.
If your goal is to stop alerts but keep Messages available, use System Settings > Notifications > Messages to adjust alerts. Labels can vary slightly by macOS release.
To use iMessage on the Mac again, open Messages, choose Messages > Settings > iMessage, and sign in with the intended Apple Account.

Troubleshooting

There is no Settings or Preferences option: Make sure Messages is the active app by clicking its window, then check the Messages menu in the menu bar. On older macOS releases, look for Preferences rather than Settings.
The Sign Out button is missing or unavailable: Confirm you are on the iMessage tab, not General. If the pane is still loading, wait briefly and try again. If the Mac is managed by a workplace or school, an administrator may restrict account changes; ask the administrator rather than trying to bypass the restriction.
Messages still appear after signing out: Confirm the account is no longer shown as signed in in the iMessage pane. If only SMS or MMS texts continue to arrive, turn off Text Message Forwarding for the Mac on the paired iPhone. Also check whether another account or another Mac user is signed in.
The app appears frozen: Quit Messages and reopen it. If that does not help, restart the Mac and check the iMessage settings again. Install available macOS updates if the issue persists, then retry when the Mac has a working internet connection.
You cannot sign in again: Check the Apple Account credentials and internet connection, and make sure the account can sign in to Apple services. If you cannot access the account or see an account security prompt, use Apple’s account recovery or support options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will signing out of iMessage on my Mac delete my messages?

Signing out disconnects the Mac from iMessage; it does not intentionally delete conversations from your other devices. Messages already stored locally may remain, so signing out alone is not a secure erase of the Mac.

Will this sign me out of iMessage on my iPhone?

No. Signing out through Messages on the Mac affects that Mac. Your iPhone and other devices keep their own settings.

Can I stop iMessage but still receive SMS texts on my Mac?

You can sign out of iMessage and leave text-message forwarding enabled on the iPhone, if that feature is available and configured. To stop both kinds of messages on the Mac, sign out and disable its forwarding entry on the iPhone.

How do I disconnect only one Mac?

Sign out in Messages on that Mac. If SMS or MMS forwarding is enabled, also turn off that specific Mac in the iPhone’s Text Message Forwarding list.

Can I sign out remotely if I no longer have the Mac?

You generally need access to the Mac to use the Messages sign-out control. If it is lost or being transferred, use Apple’s account and device-management guidance to protect your account and erase the Mac where possible; removing a device from an account should not be assumed to erase its local data.

How do I reconnect iMessage later?

Open Messages on the Mac, go to Messages > Settings > iMessage, and sign in. Check the account and message preferences afterward.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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