User profile for user: DrDAS
DrDAS Author
User level: Level 1
11 points

Text message forwarding on iPhone… no option to turn off

Long time apple ecosystem user with an odd problem over the last 1-2 months. Devices are iPhone 14 Pro, iPad Air 5th gen, new iMac m3.


long time user of text message forwarding from iPhone to tablet without difficulty. And it still works fine, but menu option under messages on phone now shows that forwarding to iPad is “on” without a toggle switch to turn it off. Have tried turning off and back on iMessage on both phone and tablet, with no change in unexpected functionality. Not sure exactly when the issue first started, but notices 1-2 months ago, maybe concomitant with iOS 17 upgrade?


All devices fully updated, now to 17.2. no change.


am in no urgent need to fix, but wondering if others have seen this? Is the control on another of my devices somehow? I don’t see it on the tablet. Photo below.


input would be appreciated!

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Dec 13, 2023 09:55 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: generatech
generatech
User level: Level 1
50 points

Posted on Feb 8, 2024 11:20 PM

I figured it out between my iPhone 17.3.1 and Mac Sonoma 14.3.1.


In macOS, Messages app, Settings..., iMessage, if I Uncheck "Enable Messages in iCloud," my iPhone 13's Settings, Messages, Text Message Forwarding, shows the expected toggle to enable/disable Text Message Forward with my Mac listed there.


But if I check my Mac's "Enable Messages in iCloud," the iPhone's Text Message Forwarding setting changes to only show "On" for the Mac in the list and no longer shows the toggle control next to the Mac in the list.


In other words, macOS's Messages app setting "Enable Messages in iCloud" forces the iPhone that also has sync iCloud messages enabled to also Forward Text Messages.


It's bad security because green SMS texted 2FA codes should only go to the iPhone in order to preserve "out of band" integrity, i.e., keeping 2FA delivery separate from the device (computer) that's asking for the 2FA code. A hacker or scammer with remote access to a Mac would see banking SMS text messages on the Mac as a bank sends them to the iPhone if those green SMS text messages are forwarded to the Mac.


The only alternative right now seems to be turning off "Enable Messages in iCloud" on my Mac to prevent my iPhone from auto-forwarding green (SMS) messages to the Mac.


Of course, it's best to only receive 2FA codes other ways instead of via SMS text, but many sites still only offer that or force it as a fallback method. Whenever possible, I use other 2FA methods.


Apple's new support of RCS messaging to better accommodate non-Apple devices (i.e., Android phones) may have something to do with this.

View in context

Similar questions

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: generatech
generatech
User level: Level 1
50 points

Feb 8, 2024 11:20 PM in response to generatech

I figured it out between my iPhone 17.3.1 and Mac Sonoma 14.3.1.


In macOS, Messages app, Settings..., iMessage, if I Uncheck "Enable Messages in iCloud," my iPhone 13's Settings, Messages, Text Message Forwarding, shows the expected toggle to enable/disable Text Message Forward with my Mac listed there.


But if I check my Mac's "Enable Messages in iCloud," the iPhone's Text Message Forwarding setting changes to only show "On" for the Mac in the list and no longer shows the toggle control next to the Mac in the list.


In other words, macOS's Messages app setting "Enable Messages in iCloud" forces the iPhone that also has sync iCloud messages enabled to also Forward Text Messages.


It's bad security because green SMS texted 2FA codes should only go to the iPhone in order to preserve "out of band" integrity, i.e., keeping 2FA delivery separate from the device (computer) that's asking for the 2FA code. A hacker or scammer with remote access to a Mac would see banking SMS text messages on the Mac as a bank sends them to the iPhone if those green SMS text messages are forwarded to the Mac.


The only alternative right now seems to be turning off "Enable Messages in iCloud" on my Mac to prevent my iPhone from auto-forwarding green (SMS) messages to the Mac.


Of course, it's best to only receive 2FA codes other ways instead of via SMS text, but many sites still only offer that or force it as a fallback method. Whenever possible, I use other 2FA methods.


Apple's new support of RCS messaging to better accommodate non-Apple devices (i.e., Android phones) may have something to do with this.

Reply
User profile for user: generatech
generatech
User level: Level 1
50 points

Feb 8, 2024 10:29 PM in response to DrDAS

Same problem on my iPhone 13 Mini running iOS 17.3.


The old toggle control to enable/disable text forwarding in Settings, Messages is missing.


Instead, it just shows "On" for one of my Macs. Tapping "On" doesn't bring up any other settings. Very odd.


I don't want text forwarding on because it's a security risk when receiving 3rd-party 2FA codes via SMS (green) that I don't want displayed on my Mac.



Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Text message forwarding on iPhone… no option to turn off

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up