How do I get messages to work on MacBook Pro?

The usual way(s) to use Messages with Macs ~ utilizes iPhone or SMS smart phone text.

• Use Messages with your Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202549

• Set up iPhone to get SMS texts on Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/messages/get-sms-texts-from-iphone-on-your-mac-icht8a28bb9a/mac

• Use Messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201287

• How to use the new Messages features in Big Sur | AppleInsider

https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/12/04/how-to-use-the-new-messages-features-in-big-sur

• How To Send A Text On An iPhone: Complete Guide To iMessages - Macworld UK

https://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/send-text-iphone-3468389/

• If you can't turn on or sign in to iMessage or FaceTime - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201422

(this link does not address computers, only iOS devices)

Settings between devices and computers can be checked/set ~ in Continuity.

• Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204681

• Use Continuity to work across Apple devices - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-continuity-across-your-devices-mchl1d734309/11.0/mac/11.0

These should provide additional ideas; I've no database except search

& browser bookmarks over several years. Helps to check for new info.

Good luck & happy trails!🌤🌻🤖🌿❄️

Not sure if the issue may be in how you signed-in to use the iPhone.

That's about one of the only things that I'd take for granted; since I've

only had but one AppleID & use it carefully. (I'm Just guessing, here.)

While possible to have & use more than one; a new iPhone may not

work with an existing Mac, if not set up correctly with that in mind.

• Sign in with your Apple ID - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204053

Sections in this article ^ directly apply to certain aspects of its use.

(If you have multiple Apple IDs, you cannot merge them. You may

choose to not use those, if they conflict with iMessage/Messages.)

To view and manage your Apple ID account details

on the web, sign in to appleid.apple.com.

• Set up 'Find My' on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210400

There may be some clues in this mess, by looking into "Find My"

to see if that shows iDevices 'findable' ~along with Mac in there.

• User your Apple ID with iCloud - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/apple-id-and-icloud-mm864f5e6593/1.0/icloud/1.0

This utilizes in part, iCloud.com and other advanced features. Will

also invoke (if not already in use) the "two-factor" authentication.

For an iCloud 'overview' and information, farther afield:

• iCloud User Guide [ Table of Contents ] - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/toc/1.0

Perhaps other ASC discussion area Helpers may see detail

I've missed. We are mostly volunteers here. Some of us use

offline time very differently; not all focused on Apple tech.

Well, since the issue may or not be hardware, to schedule an

appointment at 'genius bar' could be an answer. Be sure that

you take along all items that may show defects, or be at fault.

This could include AC/DC power adapters; USB-C, + small cable

to connect iPhone to MacBook (there are two; one allows data

the other power/data) and generally ask ahead.

• Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

[Get hardware help: link to schedule repair]

If there are no stores 'open' with genius bar, a need may arise

to try an authorized Apple service provider; or send-in service.

[Certain regions may offer 'repair depot' or other arrangements.]

• Apple Repair and Repair Status Check - Official Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/repair

The problem may be in having someone take time to troubleshoot

those items; and one way, may be to use different ones. To see why

one product works; then another. Ask the two: haystack &/or needle?

~ Who's volunteer to be pin-cushion?

Mac may decline & say 'not me' & so could iPhone.

Good luck in any event!🐬

Curious..

Had the MacBook you have now, ever worked with Messages/iMessages.

And do you have an iPhone? ~ or other-branded SMS/android phone..?

If the MacBook Pro has seen recent system update/upgrade, that may

have a few things to do with recent failure to connect iDevice w/ Mac.

Sometimes it may take an actual 'shutdown and/restart' of an iPhone.

Long as secondary items with other Continuity interests are addressed.

[And if Macbook is Intel-based, you could try and see if detailed reset

of the SMC (as details change every so often; based on Mac hardware)

could help. Be sure the 'wi-fi' is set up correctly; failure may be there.]

Of shared items covered in Continuity articles, any two may be in-op.

Mine so far with few or small exceptions, have mostly just worked.