Disable iMessage signin window

[Bruce Whittington]

Since I did the most recent High Sierra upgrade I have been seeing the following signin window when I start the computer:



I did not accept the invitation to sign in to iMessage when I installed the update, and I cannot find any indication that I have an iMessage account on my computer (to change settings), and I do not want an iMessage account, or to set one up so that I can shut it down (if that is even possible). How can I get rid of this irritant?

 

[chas_m]

You must have Messages set to start up when you log in to your computer. You can "fix" this by right-clicking on the Messages icon in the dock, and selecting "Options" and then selecting (if checked) "Open at Login."

If that doesn't work, check your system preferences -> Users & Groups -> (your account) -> Login Items.

 

[Bruce Whittington]

Charles, thanks for your reply. I did try those suggestions previously, but iMessage is not in the Dock, and neither does it appear in the startup items list where you suggested looking in System Preferences, so there was nothing that I could see to uncheck or turn off. I opened the Messages app from the Finder to check preferences there, without signing in. It says "iMessage setup is not complete" but allows me to continue into a message window, but I can see options to stop the signin window from appearing.

 

[chas_m]

Put Messages (the name of the app; iMessages are the blue Apple-hosted messages it sends to people) in the Dock and then try the right-click trick I mentioned earlier. If there is a checkmark next to "open at login," select that to "uncheck" it, and then you can remove the program from the Dock if you like.

 

[Bruce Whittington]

I tried those suggestions. Messages was not in the dock, and when opened, the "keep in dock" and "open at login" buttons were unchecked. So I checked them both, then unchecked them, and closed the app and restarted the iMac - no change. I also wondered if I could just ignore it, and opened Mail after I started the computer, but this message then appears over top of the Mail window, so it is impossible to ignore. I may try paying to speak to someone at Apple.

 

[chas_m]

I opened the Messages app from the Finder to check preferences there, without signing in. It says "iMessage setup is not complete" but allows me to continue into a message window, but I can see options to stop the signin window from appearing.

This would suggest that the trick to getting this message to stop appearing is put in your Apple ID password (which I assume is using your Shaw email address as the username). Of course you don't have to use Messages once it is set up, but this window message looks like you started setting up and iCloud/Apple ID account and didn't finish doing so.

If you are sure you have never set up an iCloud/Apple ID account, then it may be time to call Apple or check with a local specialist.

Cheers
Chas