Problem with iMessage and Face Time in Tahoe

[ccsr]

Does anyone have a problem with iMessage and FaceTime on Tahoe?

[ccsr]

9 minutes ago, eSaF said:

No problem here.

I guess it must happen when you log out? It logs me in for a couple of seconds and then logs out. Both in FaceTime and iMessage. Only happens on the hack. All other apple devices work as intended. I'm lost, changed serial and all the normal stuff but no change

[CloverLeaf]

@ccsr I observe the same behavior with my laptop. Not that I ever use those services but out of curisity I tried to log in. A few seconds later it logs me out. That's both on Tahoe and Sonoma.

[ameenjuz]

6 hours ago, ccsr said:

Does anyone have a problem with iMessage and FaceTime on Tahoe?

 

4 hours ago, CloverLeaf said:

@ccsr I observe the same behavior with my laptop. Not that I ever use those services but out of curisity I tried to log in. A few seconds later it logs me out. That's both on Tahoe and Sonoma.

Yes I have this problem too 

I observe the same behavior with my laptop

when I log in then log out automatically 

[vrondena]

On 9/18/2025 at 2:20 PM, eSaF said:

Wow!!!! That is a blast from the past.

I remember such a message as that from Apple Support way back when iMessage was first introduced and Hacks had a problem activating the Service because Security Tokens were not granted to non Mac machines.

 

Then some clever individual had the misguided idea to actually use Data from genuine Macs i.e S/N, MBL, ROM etc and enter these details into the config.plist of the Hack machine.

This ruse worked for a period of time until Apple realised that clones and Macs with the same credentials were using on the Servers and deemed it to be a security risk and blocked both real and cloned machine from the servers.

 

The way to get unblocked was to call Apple Support and hope they don't realise you are talking about a Hackintosh as well as your genuine Mac machine.

Some people even took to various websites trawling for genuine Mac data for Hacks. Back then it was a real mess (Now there is a bit of Hackintosh history for yah ).

 

Uh oh I just realised I have step onto a potential O/T landmine.

Devs/Admin please delete if you deemed o/T.

I'm also having trouble accessing services. Apple has changed something, and I think the old solutions no longer work, at least on notebooks, and with all versions from High Sierra to Tahoe, whether with real data or not. Judging by the number of users with the same problem, this is confirmed. Support isn't responding; the problem isn't with the ID, because it works on Real. A trend is open in user lounge , I believe, and it's reported, but there are no responses. It's a shame, and we're waiting for a solution.

[vrondena]

I point out that for FaceTime to the login screen if you proceed with the password change, this will change everything idapple then, it logs in and does not close. it works, but with the new data it does not work then on iMessage evaluate so if you change everything to use FaceTime. I point out that to me taking up old firmware so from high sierra to Tahoe iMessage and face time are not accessible

 

We are waiting for solutions with confidence

[fusion71au]

@vrondena,

 

iMessage still working on my hack (Skylake NUC6i5SYH) running Tahoe 25A354 and using the same MLB (aka “BoardSerialNumber”) & ROM + System-ID/SystemUUID when I first set it up as IMac17,1.  Only changes over the years has been updating the serial number in the config.plist to be consistent with the SMBIOS (now an iMac20,1 serial number but previously had iMac17,1 and iMac19,1).

 

Maybe review the trusted devices associated with your Apple Account and remove all the untrusted ones.  I am speculating here but guessing that Apple has a “trust score” on your AppleID to decide whether to allow use of their services (more likely to fail if you have multiple hacks/untrusted devices and don't maintain a consistent MLB/ROM/SystemUUID with each device). 

 

Of the 5 devices currently associated with my AppleID, 4 are genuine Apple devices while the iMac20,1 NUCintosh is also trusted after 2FA confirmation.  Also Apple has my credit card details in Apple Wallet.

[LockDown]

Prioritize MLB than serial when it comes to Apple services 

Been using legit MLB for more than a decade & never had an issue

Edited September 21, 2025 by LockDown

[ameenjuz]

anyone solve this issue in iMessage&FaceTime? 

[vrondena]

I think the problem has been around since the introduction of Tahoe, from Sequoia to El Capitan. I'm trying various images with backups. All of them worked fine with the same Apple ID and the appropriate SMS/serial numbers. Since I installed the first betas of Tahoe with my usual Apple ID, it hasn't worked anymore. From then on, I've also gotten a bit lost with password changes and the various devices that would appear and then be deleted from the account. iMessage no longer has access, and FaceTime can be accessed by changing the Apple ID password.

The Apple ID and password work on a real Mac, and you can access both services. Let's hope the problem is fixed with the next updates, or... oh well, we'll do without it.

If anyone who works on tahoe with 16.1 - 16.4 - 20.1 or sequoia 15.2 ventura 14.1 and wants to share the efi or just the part of the machine can try as a test

Edited September 21, 2025 by vrondena

[Slice]

I have iPhone and so I have no problem with iMessage and FaceTime. I have paid account. 

[vrondena]

18 hours ago, eSaF said:

Hi, how about getting someone with an Apple account to logon as a Guest and try iMessage with their ID. 

This is to ascertain if the problem is your ID on the machine or the machine itself.

Even with a new id and also another old id on my dell hack I don't access the messages, I deduce that it's not a matter of id but the problem seems with the Device and the smbios and serial change tests didn't work

[vrondena]

I created a new id, as with mine for messages it closes shortly after access and face time works

iMessageDebug.txt

[vrondena]

4 hours ago, vrondena said:

I created a new id, as with mine for messages it closes shortly after access and face time works

iMessageDebug.txt 698 B · 1 download

Other id and other configuration on the same machine, same result

iMessageDebug.txt

[vrondena]

I restored a backup with Monterey and ... surprise the services both work !!! Same id and same car as Tahoe !!!

 

What should I take into account from Monterey to be enabled on Tahoe then . the efi folder updating ilconfig ? Or something else I'll wait if anyone knows before proceeding. Thanks

 

[vrondena]

In fact it's like that with the EFI of Monterey where the services work I also ran with Ventura, Sequoia and now with Tahoe. The only thing I noticed in the EFI was the presence of 2 Apple and Nvram folders that I had on Monterey and then I always reported mind when the services didn't work I didn't have them in the EFI I don't know if it depends on this but now everything is fine.

[gsxb]

After reading eSaF’s post

As advised one should search the Apple account for past machines not being used and remove them from the account.

 I had a call from a so called senior advisor from Apple to resolve the problem, gave the guy permission to screen share my phones camera gave him permission to screen share my hack after 45 minutes tech talk end result iMessage and FaceTime still not working, the only thing he suggested was run the recovery image at the install screen open disc utility and run first Aid on boot disc which suggested a problem with the disc he the said I needed to reinstall Tahoe which I had no time for so the call ended.

I then proceeded to remove old unused hacks and windows machines that had logged in with my Apple ID, to my surprise three days later when I booted up I logged in to iMessage and FaceTime with no problems 

nice one eSaF deleting old machines may well have been the answer 👍👍👍

Edited September 25, 2025 by gsxb

[vrondena]

1 hour ago, gsxb said:

After reading eSaF’s post

As advised one should search the Apple account for past machines not being used and remove them from the account.

 I had a call from a so called senior advisor from Apple to resolve the problem, gave the guy permission to screen share my phones camera gave him permission to screen share my hack after 45 minutes tech talk end result iMessage and FaceTime still not working, the only thing he suggested was run the recovery image at the install screen open disc utility and run first Aid on boot disc which suggested a problem with the disc he the said I needed to reinstall Tahoe which I had no time for so the call ended.

I then proceeded to remove old unused hacks and windows machines that had logged in with my Apple ID, to my surprise three days later when I booted up I logged in to iMessage and FaceTime with no problems 

nice one eSaF deleting old machines may well have been the answer 👍👍👍

Just to report that it happened to me too to connect to the Apple support service, about 1 hour, share the screen, do tests and tests suggested by the assistant, use the phone as a camera to see the passages and when the technician realized that it was not a real Mac but a Dell took a blow and I think he did not know that you could install os on non-Apple machines. In the end I also closed the assistance having understood that nothing would have ended.

 

In addition to the two folders in efi, have in driver and in the config reset nvram.

 

Greetings to everyone

[gsxb]

never had any problems with contacting apple support did it the last time iMessage was a mess, the guy was an idiot and hadn't got a clue

plucking at straws would best describe him any way all sorted now, thanks for the advice 

[notobo]

Try every known an unknown tricks, nothing works anymore. Its definitely on the Apple side blocking many hacks from iMessage and Facetime services. Even try Apple support in 3 different countries with all arguments on my side, very old account even in developers, same iPhone number for years used in btw two real macs, real private home adress and my valid Visa.

 

When I watch history how did this happened, only one, my stupid mistake, come to mind: I try many different smbioses and log in/log out from iCloud account.  I think that the only possible way to overcome this is not to try new serials, mlbs, uuids, smbioses, new icloud accounts, because nothing helps. In my opinion, you must change:  old for new account, new telephone number-this is most important, and new en0 rom in platform smbios. The best thing is to find serials from original Apple Macs which are no longer  in function because they are dismantled or in trash,  and pray for activation. Guys that dont try like I do many hacks on different platforms with loging to iCloud, may sleep safe. For how long we'll see.

 

On conspiracy theory why now and not before, one thing like crystal arrow in the brain explode in my head: our famous Hackintosh designer well known guru khronokernel, leave Hackintosh community and sold his brilliant soul to Apple half a year ago working in Cupertino. And if anybody knows how to recognise fake Mac from real one, he knows. 😃

 

And be realistic, did anybody of you believe after Tahoe saw the light, how many people in all the world have MaPro7,1 at home 🤣

Edited December 25, 2025 by notobo

[notobo]

2 hours ago, eSaF said:

@notobo I fully understand and can relate to your frustration running a Hack especially recently with Tahoe

Each macOS update, OCLP or kexts after installation  puts one in a state of 'Will it boot and have the desired result'?

 

For me Tahoe presented too many hurdles and obstacles and as it is the last macOS for Intel, I decided to call it a day and go fully Apple by the kindness of the wife with a 512 MB M4 mini.

I just removed the 512 MD Drive and installed a 2TB Drive, Happy days.

 

As much as I enjoyed tinkering with the Hack over many years, Tahoe proved too far a hill to climb and conquer with each update and quite frankly I had my fill with it.

With all that I have said, I will now stop sounding like the typical Apple fanboy and climb down from the soapbox and wish all good things in the coming New Year.

 

Samo to you m8. 

 

But you must understand two things, first this is not only Tahoe problem and I am not frustrated guy  Any system, I test from Monterey till Tahoe, for me, can't have this services,  had it for almost two years without any problem. Diagnosis is same for all systems, log in/ app and then after 5 seconds logs you out, regardless that in Messages prefs all 2 mail accounts and phone number are active for service.

 

Second thing, this here is my funny hobby. From Mac SE till today I almost have every Mac what was worth. Every Mac Pro final with 6,1. Best Apple monitors like famous 30 inch, two of them. 😀

 

So I am not ordinary Hackintosh guru, i love Apple, but Apple now I realize with sadness, do not love me. Unrequited love 😮‍💨

 

Waiting in despair  answer from App suport of Guam and Mozambique  for solving this mistery. 😄

Edited December 25, 2025 by notobo

[vrondena]

Some time ago I asked for help for the Apple services that didn't work on Tahoe. Those who know more than me, and there are many here, gave advice on how to proceed to restore things. They didn't work but it's necessary to thank them and as in the spirit of those who try and try again in the world hack I think I had the solution that works, in fact it works. trivially I realized that in the EFI I didn't have the Apple and NVRAM folders, I took old folders that were in the EFIs of High Sierra, Ventura, Sequoia ,where the services worked, but I think they are all fine and inserted in the Tahoe EFI, reset the Nvram .... voila' ... iMessage and FaceTime are back, no need to change smbios,idapple account or anything else. try and give back here. bye

[MakAsrock]

After using iMessage and FaceTime on macOS Ventura 13, I got them working on macOS Tahoe 26.2 😉

[notobo]

How to fix if Apple Support can't or will not fix?

 

Put one more trusted mobile number in iCloud acc and after that delete your primary trusted mobile No. Delete existing account. Before that, backup Safari bookmarks and keychains. Backup Notes folder from User/Library/Group Containers.

 

Made new iCloud account with your primary mobile number. Everything will then work with fw to Messages and Facetime on Mac. If after 24h mobile No. is not in iMessage/Facetime group, contact Apple support and explain that you closed account and open new, c/p their number for your closed acc. They will than activate your mobile No. By that time you can use this services with new acc iCloud mail.

 

You must ofc redownload every app on iPhone  with this new acc, or wait for app update and than dl. You will ofc loose all pay apps connect with old acc. You'll  also loose Mail adresses but this is piece of cake with new mail alias formed and change it at sites where you're registered.

 

Clever in the future with multiple changing and testing Smbios-es if you're online. 😀

 

Best wishes to all forum members in 2026.

 

p.s @Allan please close my new account @cropsky...Again I made mistake and post with it. 😅 

Edited December 30, 2025 by notobo

[arsradu]

Hey guys!

 

Looks like I'm not the only one with this issue. Could be Tahoe related, could be something else.... No idea. But I have the exact same issue. Trying to log into iMessage and Facetime on Sequoia and Tahoe, doesn't last. I get logged out almost immediately after.

I tried logging out of all devices and back in, but no luck. At some point I thought it might be the -no_compat_check boot arg that I was using that could be causing this in some way. But...it's probably not even related.

Thing is...starting a few weeks ago, I started having this issue on my old hardware. In the meantime, I also upgraded to the hardware you see now in my signature. Same issue... Also, both on Sequoia and Tahoe, if I try to create a new account I get this message (this is from Sequoia, same message but different design on Tahoe):

 

Not sure what's going on. I haven't tried going back to Monterey or something to fix this. But I will try it. Still weird that this happens... And still not sure what could have caused this. Could be the SMBIOSes I was testing for Tahoe compatibility, could be something else... I don't know... But I'm glad I'm not the only one with this issue. In fact, it looks like even people with real Macs have had the same issue. At some point, I couldn't even log into iMessage from my iPhone. But I managed to get that fixed by submitting a support request. But now, although I can login just fine from other Macs (real Macs), I still can't seem to be able to log into iMessage and Facetime (works fine for iCloud) from my hack. 

 

Any pointers in the right direction would be highly appreciated. And thank you for being such an awesome community for so many years!