A step-by-step guide to disabling iMessage on macOS

Do you want to disable the Messages app on your Mac computer? If you want to keep your text messages on your iPhone or iPad only, you can turn off Messages on your Mac. This will prevent you from sending or receiving messages on your computer. You can also temporarily or permanently disable notifications. This wikiHow will show you how to disable and customize notifications settings for Messages using your Mac desktop computer or MacBook.

Things You Should Know

  • In Messages, then click "Messages" → "Preferences" → "Messages" → "Sign Out".
  • To disable notifications, click the Apple menu. Click "System Preferences" → "Notifications" → "Messages" → toggle off "Allow Notifications".
  • Click the Notification Center and toggle on "Do Not Disturb" to temporarily mute Messages notifications.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Signing out of Messages

  1. 1
  2. 2
    Click Messages. This will be in the top toolbar, next to the Apple logo.
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  3. 3
    Click Preferences. A new window will open.
  4. 4
    Click Messages. This is the tab located between General and Shared with You.
  5. 5
    Click Sign Out. This will be to the right of your Apple ID.
    • Make sure the Apple ID matches the one associated with your Messages app.
    • You will be signed out of Messages. You'll no longer receive or send messages on your Mac.
    • To use Messages again, you'll need to sign into your Apple ID.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Turning off Notifications

  1. 1
  2. 2
    Click System Preferences. This will be underneath About This Mac.
    • A new window will open.
  3. 3
    Click Notifications. This will be below a bell icon.
  4. 4
    Click Messages. You can find this in the left side panel, within the list of apps. As this list is in alphabetical order, you may need to scroll down to find it.
  5. 5
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Customizing Messages Notifications

  1. 1
  2. 2
    Click Messages. This will be in the top toolbar, next to the Apple logo.
  3. 3
    Click Preferences. A new window will open.
  4. 4
    Click General. You may already have this tab open by default.
  5. 5
    Uncheck the boxes as desired. Click the boxes underneath Application to customize your Messages notifications.
    • You can turn off notifications from unknown contacts and when your name is mentioned. You can also disable auto-play for message effects and disable sound effects.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Temporarily Disabling Notifications

  1. 1
    Click the Notification Center icon. This will look like three bullet points and three lines in the top-right corner.
  2. 2
    Scroll up on the Notification Center. This will reveal Night Shift and Do Not Disturb.
    • On older versions of macOS, scroll down.
  3. 3
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About This Article

Rain Kengly
Written by:
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: December 7, 2022
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