User profile for user: sknaf
sknaf Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Unread iMessages in Dock, but there is no unread to be shown !

For some reason on my personal laptop, iMessage shows there are 89 unread messages.

I have synced messages with iCloud, and rebooted several times over the weeks, and it still always has that 89.

iPhone, iPad, Desktop and work MBP all show 0 unread. Just my personal MBP shows the 89.


When I get new messages, that 89 count goes up, and when I read the new messages, it goes back down to 89.


I filter by unread, and it shows nothing. It's just annoying that it shows the unread. I try to take my iMessages and eMail inbox down to 0 unread in the evenings, and this is keeping me from showing complete.


Here is an image showing both the 89 unread in the Dock, but nothing unread show up in the iMessage MacOS app. All Mac OS's are 15.5, iPad&iOS is at 18.5



[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jul 26, 2025 03:54 PM

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7 replies
User profile for user: K Shaffer
K Shaffer
User level: Level 8
35,872 points

Aug 3, 2025 06:45 PM in response to sknaf

sknaf (Author)

Perhaps to check and see if you may be able to reset Dock or Finder

in the portable Mac; depending on which macOS is running there, it

may be matter of just using some system settings. Or run Safe mode.


You might be able to run Disk Utility and have that check/repair the system.

Accessible from Finder's GO menu bar, as this gains access to add'l items

such as Utilities Folder, among others from the finder/desktop.


Or use Safe Mode, as that can fix items behind the finder; & later restart

to see if whatever issue, was resolved through running Safe Mode..

•Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/116946 : useful details


Or see which version of TinkerTool Systeme (Bresink Software) may work.

A side-effect using some its Tools, can reset just the 'Dock' &/or 'Finder.'

Some of these run as 'free-trial' versions. Older ones may be totally free.


In an older macOS I've run TinkerTool (High Sierra/Mojave) to reset the

exact same Dock item, that shows high numbers of unread Messages.

These never existed but somehow the Dock showed it anyway!

https://www.bresink.com/osx/versions.html (current)

https://www.bresink.com/osx/LegacyProducts.html (obsolete)


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Unread iMessages in Dock, but there is no unread to be shown !

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