"Messages in iCloud not available as iCloud and iMessage accounts do not match"

When I receive an iMessage on my iPhone, I see the text in the lock screen and also in the message list, but when I go into the individual message thread the message is not there.


I do see ALL the messages in the thread within Messages on my Macbook.


This has been happening intermittently, but I isolated that it works for some contacts and NOT for others consistently.


I know that the messages are missing, as I can see them in the Notification on the lock screen and I can see them within Messages on my Macbook.


  1. I have confirmed that I am signed into the correct iCloud account both within iCloud and Messages on my phone.
  2. I have logged out of iCloud on all devices and then logged back in.
  3. I have used the "Erase All Content and Settings" to completely reset the phone.
  4. I have tried the following, but it did not work. This was from another support topic listing the same error.

"We recommend that follow the steps below on your iPhone:

1. Turn off Messages in iCloud in Settings > [your name] > iCloud.

2. Turn off iMessage in Settings > Messages.

3. Turn off FaceTime in Settings > FaceTime.

4. Restart your iPhone.

5. Turn on iMessage in Settings > Messages.

6. Turn on FaceTime in Settings > FaceTime

7. Wait 5 minutes.

8. Turn on Messages in iCloud in Settings > [your name] > iCloud."

This resulted in some 'hopeful' messages that "messages are being downloaded from iCloud" and "messages are being uploaded to iCloud" but nothing happened. None of the missing messages synced into the message threads.


I'm on iOS 15.7,.


I need some expert help here please.



iPhone 13 Pro

Posted on Oct 10, 2022 12:25 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 15, 2022 11:36 AM

I started experiencing this issue after switching wireless providers last week. Despite being signed into iCloud, Messages were not synchronized to my iPhone while they were perfectly in sync on the Mac and iPad.


Here is how I (think) I corrected the issue on my iPhone:


  • Settings > iCloud: Click to Sign Out
  • Settings > Messages: Toggle it off
  • Settings > Facetime: Toggle it off
  • Open Messages and delete every message
  • Turn off the iPhone
  • Turn it back on
  • Settings > iCloud: Sign in to iCloud
  • Authorize the device on one of the others (iPad, Mac, etc.)
  • Settings > Messages: Toggle it on
  • Settings > Facetime: Toggle it on
  • Open Messages and send a test message to another iCloud user
    • This should succeed
    • The message should appear on all your devices (in blue)
  • Send a test message to a non-iCloud user
    • This should succeed
    • The message should appear on all your devices (in green)


The only issue I am seeing after doing all this is that old messages do not appear on the iPhone until someone replies to the old thread. But I don't mind as long as they are in sync from now on.


iPhone 13 Pro Max (iOS 16.0.2)

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2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 15, 2022 11:36 AM in response to Spectre69

I started experiencing this issue after switching wireless providers last week. Despite being signed into iCloud, Messages were not synchronized to my iPhone while they were perfectly in sync on the Mac and iPad.


Here is how I (think) I corrected the issue on my iPhone:


  • Settings > iCloud: Click to Sign Out
  • Settings > Messages: Toggle it off
  • Settings > Facetime: Toggle it off
  • Open Messages and delete every message
  • Turn off the iPhone
  • Turn it back on
  • Settings > iCloud: Sign in to iCloud
  • Authorize the device on one of the others (iPad, Mac, etc.)
  • Settings > Messages: Toggle it on
  • Settings > Facetime: Toggle it on
  • Open Messages and send a test message to another iCloud user
    • This should succeed
    • The message should appear on all your devices (in blue)
  • Send a test message to a non-iCloud user
    • This should succeed
    • The message should appear on all your devices (in green)


The only issue I am seeing after doing all this is that old messages do not appear on the iPhone until someone replies to the old thread. But I don't mind as long as they are in sync from now on.


iPhone 13 Pro Max (iOS 16.0.2)

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"Messages in iCloud not available as iCloud and iMessage accounts do not match"

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