Sharing Name and Photo Not Available, Why and How to Fix It

The "Sharing Name and Photo not available" error is a regular annoyance for Mac and iPhone users. This issue occurs when the ability to share your name and picture in the Messages app is deactivated or unavailable. A user shared this case:

Different iCloud and iMessage accounts, wrong setups, or software issues can all cause this kind of issue. So, if you've encountered this problem, don't worry! This article will explain why the "Sharing Name and Photo not available" issue happens, how to configure name and picture sharing on your Mac, and practical solutions for addressing it on both the Mac and iPhone.

Sharing Name and Photo Not Available - Possible Causes

There are various reasons why the "Sharing Name and Photo not available" message appears on your Mac or iPhone. Let's look at the most popular ones:

• Poor network connection: A poor or unreliable internet connection might interrupt synchronization between iCloud and iMessage, such as when the "Update Apple ID Settings" is stuck, causing the problem.
• Restricted Privacy Settings: If your device's privacy or Messages app settings are wrongly adjusted, the functionality may fail to operate, which may cause iMessage not to sync on Mac.
• Mismatched iCloud and iMessage accounts: If your iCloud and iMessage accounts are not the same or one is not logged in, the functionality will be disabled.
• Multiple phone numbers linked to an Apple ID: Having several phone numbers connected with your Apple ID might cause problems, prohibiting name and picture sharing.
• Unstable iOS or macOS System Bugs: Temporary flaws or bugs in the operating system might cause the feature to fail.
• Outdated software: Running an older version of macOS or iOS may not have the required upgrades to use the functionality. Otherwise, it may cause iMessage to not work on Mac.

After learning the possible causes why the "sharing name and photo not available" issue occurs, read on to learn how to turn on the right settings on your Mac to share your name and photo in iMessage.

How to Share Your Name and Photo in iMessages

Setting up name and picture sharing in Messages for Mac adds a personal touch to your chats. Wrong settings may lead to iMessage photos not showing or other problems. Below are the steps for enabling and customizing this feature:

Step 1. Open the "Messages" app on your Mac from the Dock.

Step 2. Access the Name and Photo Sharing Settings: Go to the top menu bar in the Messages app and choose "Settings> General" tab.

Step 3. Set up your name and photo sharing: Click the "Set Up Name and Photo Sharing" button. Follow the on-screen directions to personalize the following:

• Photo: Use the default selection or click Customize to choose a picture, Memoji, emoji, or monogram.
• Name: Type the name you want people to see in talks.
• Sharing Options: Choose between Contacts Only (shares automatically with contacts) and Always Ask (requires confirmation before sharing).

Step 4. Finalize your settings. Once you've finished customizing your name and picture, click "Done" to save your changes.

Step 5. Adjust Sharing Permissions (Optional). To control who sees your name and photo, navigate to "Messages > Settings > General." Click the "Share Automatically" option and choose "Contacts Only or Always Ask."

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How to Fix Sharing Name and Photo Not Available [Mac & iPhone]

Mac and iPhone users who experience the "Sharing Name and Photo not available" problem may have trouble personalizing messages. Follow these Mac and iPhone solutions:

• Fix 1. Check Your iCloud Account
• Fix 2. Sign Out & Sign Back into Your Apple ID
• Fix 3. Restart your Mac or iPhone
• Fix 4. Update the software

Fix 1. Check Your iCloud Account

A compatible iCloud and iMessage account is needed for "Sharing Name and Photo." The features may not operate if these accounts are not synchronized or signed in. Follow the steps below:

Steps for iPhone:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" application.

Step 2. Tap your "name" at the top to see your "Apple ID preferences."

Step 3. Verify the account in iCloud to confirm it matches the one used in messages.

Step 4. Go back to "Settings" and choose "Messages."

Step 5. Examine the Apple ID under "Send & Receive." If they vary, log out and then log back in using the same Apple ID.

Steps for Mac:

Step 1. Select "System Settings" from the Apple menu.

Step 2. Click "Apple ID" to check you're logged in to the right iCloud account.

Step 3. Open the "Messages" app and then go to "Settings > iMessage."

Step 4. Make sure the Apple ID matches your iCloud account. If not, sign out and log back in with your credentials.

Fix 2. Sign Out & Sign Back into Your Apple ID

Account synchronization troubles can be remedied by signing out and re-signing to your Apple ID. This refreshes the connection and fixes minor issues.

Steps for iPhone:

Step 1. Open "Settings" and touch your name at the top.

Step 2. Scroll down and choose "Sign Out."

Step 3. Enter your "Apple ID password" to remove iCloud data, then confirm.

Step 4. Restart your phone, sign in by going to "Settings" and selecting "Sign In."

Steps for Mac:

Step 1. Select "System Settings" from the Apple menu and then "Apple Account."

Step 2. Select "Sign Out" on the Apple Account Overview window.

Step 3. Restart your Mac.

Step 4. Return to System Settings, click "Sign In," and re-enter your Apple ID.

Fix 3. Restart your Mac or iPhone

Restarting your device is a simple but effective way to resolve transient system issues that may hinder the "Sharing Name and Photo" function.

Steps for iPhone:

Step 1. Press and hold the "Side and Volume buttons" until the power-off slider displays.

Step 2. Drag the slider to power off your iPhone.

Step 3. Wait a few seconds before pressing and holding the Side button again until the Apple logo shows.

Steps for Mac:

Step 1. In the upper left corner, click the "Apple menu."

Step 2. Choose "Restart" from the dropdown option.

Step 3. Wait for your Mac to reset, then try utilizing the function again.

Fix 4. Update the software

Older macOS or iOS versions may not support "Sharing Name and Photo." By updating, your device runs the newest bug-fixed software. Follow the steps below to update the software:

Steps for iPhone:

Step 1. Open "Settings" and choose "General."

Step 2. Select "Software Update" to see if there are any available updates.

Step 3. If an update is available, press "Download and Install." Follow the steps to finish the procedure.

Steps for Mac:

Step 1. Open "System Settings" and choose "General" from the sidebar.

Step 2. Select "Software Update" to check for updates.

Step 3. Select "Upgrade Now," then follow the on-screen prompts if an update is available.

Extra Tip: How to Restore Deleted Messages on Mac

Mac messages may be irritating to delete accidentally, particularly if they include essential information or memories. Recovery is easy whether the messages were deleted purposefully or lost due to a technical error. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac can easily and reliably recover lost data, including iMessages.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is trusted for data recovery in many situations. This program lets you recover data from accidental deletion and system crashes without technical knowledge. It recovers chat.db deleted messages and attachments on a Mac, preventing essential conversations from being lost.

• iMessage Recovery: Recovers deleted messages and attachments to complete conversations.
• Comprehensive File Support: Allows you to recover not just messages but also photographs, documents, and other forms of data.
• Quick and Deep Scans: Provides scanning options for locating missing communications rapidly, even on formatted discs.
• Safe and secure: Maintains data integrity and privacy during the recovery procedure.

To recover deleted messages using EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, follow the steps outlined in the following section:

Step 1. Select the drive to be scanned

In the main EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard window, there will be a list of the drives connected to your Mac. Select the drive you need to recover lost/deleted files from, and click the "Search for lost files" button.

Step 2. Select your lost data/files

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results on the left pane. You can sort the results to find the wanted files if you are looking for certain files.

Step 3. Recover lost/deleted data

Once you have found the desired files, preview the files and then click "Recover" to begin the recovery of your deleted/lost Mac files.

Conclusion

These procedures can fix the "Sharing Name and Photo not available" error. We've provided comprehensive Mac and iPhone instructions covering iCloud sync and software updates to repair the issue.

Use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac to easily recover lost mail and other important data for peace of mind. Its robust recovery capabilities make it essential for data loss management. Download EaseUS immediately to protect and access your files!

Sharing Name and Photo Not Available FAQs

The answers to these questions will help you resolve your issue related to the "sharing name and photo not available" issue:

1. Why is sharing name and photo not available?

This problem frequently arises when iCloud and iMessage accounts are not synchronized, your Apple ID has several phone numbers, or your device software is old. To ensure compatibility, check account settings and program updates.

2. How do I turn on share name and photo?

Click "Set Up Name and Photo Sharing in Messages > Settings > General" on Mac to activate this functionality. Customize your name, picture, and sharing settings. Enable it under iPhone "Settings > Messages > Share Name and Photo".