3 Fixes for iMessage Sending From Email Instead of Phone Number

Quick Tips

• Check if your phone number has been selected to send iMessage on your iPhone and Mac.
• Enable the iMessage service again on your iPhone and Mac. This will download all your chats again.
• If none of the solutions work, reset the network settings on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Basic Fixes

• Force quit and relaunch Messages app: This will give the app a fresh start and reload your chats.
• Update Messages app: You must install the new version of iOS to update the Messages app.

Fix 1: Check if Your Phone Number Is Selected for iMessage

Your Apple devices give you the option of sending and receiving iMessage from your phone number or email (Apple ID). So, if your email shows up when you text your contacts, check if you have selected your phone number for iMessage.

On iPhone and iPad

Open Settings > Messages > Send and Receive > check if your phone number is selected.

On Mac

Step 1: Open the Messages app > click on Messages > select Settings.

Step 3: Select the iMessage tab and ensure your phone number is selected for sending and receiving iMessage on your Mac.

Fix 2: Enable iMessage Again

If you still face the same issue and wondering why iMessage is sending texts from email, try enabling iMessage again on your devices. That will re-register, download, and sync your conversations across devices.

On iPhone and iPad

Step 1: Open Settings > Messages > disable iMessage.

Step 2: Wait a few seconds and tap the toggle again to enable iMessage.

On Mac

Step 1: Open Messages > click on Messages > Settings.

Step 2: Click the iMessage tab at the top and check the box for Enable Messages in iCloud to disable the service.

Step 3: Wait a few seconds and check the box again.

Fix 3: Reset Network Settings

If none of the solutions work, reset the network settings on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This will remove all the connected network preferences and restore settings to default. Of course, you must add Wi-Fi details again, and it’ll be a fresh start.

On iPhone and iPad

Step 1: Open the Settings app > tap on General.

Step 2: Scroll to the bottom > select Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad.

Step 3: Tap on Reset > select Reset Network Settings.

Step 4: Tap on Reset Network Settings again to confirm.

On Mac

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar keyboard shortcut to open Spotlight Search, type Wi-Fi, and press Return.

Step 2: Click the Details button next to the connected Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Click on Forget This Network.

Step 4: Click on Remove to confirm.

Step 5: Close the window and connect to your Wi-Fi again to check if this fixes the problem.

Tip: You can refer to our post to learn how to force send iMessage as a text message.