How do I set up Messages.app in MacOS 10.13.6

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Level 3

925 points

How do I set up Messages.app in MacOS 10.13.6

Mid-2011 iMac maxxed out at MacOS 10.13.6. Messages.app Version 11.0 (5500) installed. I want be able to send and receive text messages using the Messages.app from my iMac. However I'm told I have to set up Text Message Forwarding on my iPhone which is running iOS 17.7.2. The problem is when I follow these instructions from Apple:

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Messages.
Tap Text Message Forwarding. (If you don't see it, turn iMessage off and back on, then tap Send & Receive and sign in again.)

I DON'T have or get Text Message Forwarding in Settings>Apps>Messages

So IS it possible to do this? If so, HOW? If setup is successful, how do I initiate a Message to an Android phone? just use 1 + the 10 digit phone number?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jul 4, 2025 08:54 PM

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Answer 1

brbo

Level 8

38,137 points

Jul 5, 2025 04:40 PM in response to romad

Hi romad:

Re: "How do I set up Messages.app in MacOS 10.13.6"

Not being expert in this area, I don't know whether there is sufficient privacy and security safeguards in place, (in that version of Messages app), for use of Messages, and to send texts to Android users using cellular data. Yet your post deserves some response, even if only to provide more opportunity for those with more know-how to share their expertise.

If your Android user can provide an email address, it may be simpler to send emails back and forth instead.

__________________

For Messages set-up:

In the Messages app on each Mac, we can generally click "Help" in the top menu bar to view the Apple info, tailored to the MacOS version in use.

Seems, with MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6, you would still be using a 32 bit MacOS version.

As you likely know, starting with macOS Catalina 10.15 all apps in later versions are now 64 bit apps.

(The current Mac OS User Guides begin with MacOS Mojave 10.14 on up to the newest version)

Thus the earliest "set up" info. I found (link below) is for MacOS Mojjave 10.14, and may or may not help

Set up to send texts using Messages on Mac - Apple Support

_____________________________________________________________________________

Re: "I don't have or get Text Message Forwarding in Settings>Apps>Messages"

Wondering which iPhone model you use, and which iOS version is installed.

If you wish:

You can view requirements in Apple support's latest article (April 15, 2025) from the link below :

Forward text messages from your iPhone to other devices - Apple Support

All the best :-)

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Answer 2

romad Author

Level 3

925 points

Jul 5, 2025 07:56 PM in response to brbo

Well, it is my sister who uses an Android phone and she prefers texting so she doesn't answer my emails right away (says she gets so many emails). I on the other hand don't do texting, as I prefer email. So that is why I'm trying to set up Messages.app on my iMac so I can just use its keyboard.

I ALREADY followed the steps found by going to the Help Menu in Messages.app as I listed in my post. BTDT No T-shirt.

MacOS 10.13.6 is 64 bit but was the next-to-last MacOS version to allow 32 bit apps to run

I use an iPhone 12 with, as I said in my post, iOS 17.7.2 though I will install iOS 18 in August

OK, THIS is the step I'm having problems with:

Your Mac can receive and send SMS and MMS text messages

through your iPhone when you set up text message forwarding. For

example, if a friend sends you a text message from a phone other than

iPhone, the message appears on your Mac and iPhone in Messages.

I apparently don't have the capability to set up text message forwarding in iOS 17.7.2 (even though it is supposed to have it since iOS 8.1 was the first iOS version to have it) as I followed the steps I listed in my post without success.

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