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Question

Why are iMessages sometimes from icloud?

Mar 17, 2015 1:20PM PDT

Usually I receive text messages from certain people with their name since I have them in my contact list. But once in a while a message thread is started from their icloud account. Even if I had just been messaging with their phone number minutes before. Others have told me the same happens sometimes from my number as well. There seems to be no rhyme or reason why this starts and stops. It is annoying because a separate thread is started on the same conversation and sometimes I don't even recognize their icloud address. What is going on here?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
It's a work in progress.
Mar 17, 2015 1:29PM PDT

Since Apple wants to avoid carrier SMS issues, charges and more, you see the bumps in the road.
Bob

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Answer
The sender could be logged in differently on one of...
Mar 18, 2015 3:46AM PDT

...their devices, all of which use iMessage. They could have two separate Apple logins, but share your specific (unique) contact info on each device in question. YMMV.

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Nope, they are definitely using the same device...
Mar 18, 2015 12:48PM PDT

In fact, I will receive a message from their phone number and then minutes later receive a message from their icloud. And they are definitely using the same device and so am I.

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Are you certain they are on the same device?
Mar 18, 2015 11:46PM PDT

Keep in mind you can have both entries listed under the same contact on your i-device.

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Yep...
Mar 19, 2015 2:31AM PDT

100% Certain. But your other post about the settings looks like it's getting closer to the problem. Thanx!

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Also look at these settings too
Mar 18, 2015 11:50PM PDT
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This looks on track towards the cause of the problem.
Mar 19, 2015 2:37AM PDT

Thanx, this does explain a few things. I think the problem started when I began to use iMessage on my Mac. And it looks like the problem will be solved if I change the settings as shown in that thread. But this would indeed keep me from using iMessage on my Mac. And it also doesn't explain why it is so unpredictable which address messages will come from when I am only using my iPhone and it appears that everything thing else is being done in the exact same way. I'll pay closer attention to every single thing I see when I send messages from now on and see if I can spot any clues. Thanx again.

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That's definitely a weakness
Mar 19, 2015 3:14AM PDT

I suppose it's the price you pay from having iMessage on the Mac too.

I would try to at least eliminate some of the chatter by simply adding the additional iCloud email addresses you receive to your various contacts' info. Worth a shot until Apple can sort it out Wink