If you get an alert from iMessage Contact Key Verification

When iMessage Contact Key Verification has been turned on, you may get an alert if your device has detected an issue. Find out what alerts you may see and what to do next.

If iMessage Contact Key Verification has detected a validation error or other issue, you will get an alert in iMessage conversations with people who also have iMessage Contact Key Verification turned on. You may also get an alert in Contact Key Verification settings.

If you have received an alert, it’s likely due to one of these reasons:

  • The person you are messaging has turned off iMessage Contact Key Verification.

    In iMessage conversations, you will get an alert if your contact has turned off iMessage Contact Key Verification

  • An unrecognised new device was added to that person’s Apple ID. This alert may mean the person you are messaging has an issue with one of their devices or a sophisticated attacker may be attempting to eavesdrop on the conversation.

  • iMessage Contact Key Verification is unavailable. This alert may mean there’s a service outage or iMessage Contact Key Verification is temporarily unavailable.

  • There’s an issue with iMessage Contact Key Verification. This alert may mean there’s an issue with one of your devices or your account, or a sophisticated attacker may be attempting to eavesdrop on the conversation.

If you get an alert about the contact you’re messaging

If you get an alert in an iMessage conversation stating iMessage Contact Key Verification has detected an issue, you may want to stop messaging that contact until you can verify you’re messaging with the person you intend.

  • Check if your contact is having issues with their device or account (via FaceTime or other secure call or by meeting in person).

  • From the alert, select Verify Contact to compare verification codes:

    • If the verification codes match, select Mark as Verified and update the contact information. If you no longer get the alert in the iMessage conversation and a tick appears next to the contact’s name, you can continue messaging.

    • If the verification codes don’t match, if you still get the alert in the iMessage conversation or if a checkmark doesn’t appear next to the contact’s name after you have updated their information, it could mean you’re no longer messaging the person you intend. As a precaution, you should stop messaging with that contact.

If you choose to clear the alert from the conversation, you can still find it and more details on the person’s iMessage Conversation Details page: At the top of the iMessage conversation, tap their name (or the More Info button on Mac) and then scroll down to Contact Key Verification.

These alerts appear in group conversations only if everyone in the group has turned on iMessage Contact Key Verification.

Find out how to use iMessage Contact Key Verification to verify your contacts

If you get an alert stating there’s an issue with iMessage Contact Key Verification

  • Check Settings (or System Settings) on all of your devices for alerts to update your Apple ID settings. First, address any alerts about a “Contact Key Verification Issue”. If iMessage Contact Key Verification still isn’t working, address the other settings update alerts.

  • Turn off Contact Key Verification on all devices, then turn it back on.

  • If one of your devices is causing an issue that can’t be resolved, sign out of iMessage on that device or remove it from your account.

  • If Contact Key Verification is unavailable, check Contact Key Verification settings again later. The issue may resolve itself.

  • If you can’t resolve an issue with Contact Key Verification, you may be able to reset it:

    • If you no longer have access to a device with iMessage Contact Key Verification turned on, you can reset it from the web: At appleid.apple.com, select Sign-In & Security, choose Contact Key Verification, then select Reset Contact Key Verification.

    • If your device is running older software, you may also have the option to reset in Settings: Go to Settings (or System Settings) your name Sign in & Security, then look for the option to Reset Contact Key Verification.

If you think your Apple ID account has been compromised

If you believe your account may be compromised:

  • Reset your Public Verification Code: Go to appleid.apple.com Before you change your password, select the option to “Sign out of Apple devices and websites associated with your Apple ID”.

  • Re-verify with contacts: If you reset your Public Verification Code, anyone who saved it will get an alert in iMessage conversations with you. These contacts need to verify you again by saving your new Public Verification Code.

  • Review the devices associated with your Apple ID: Go to Settings (or System Settings) > your name, then scroll down to check your devices. You can also check at appleid.apple.com. If there’s a device you don’t recognise, select it, scroll down and select Remove from account.

  • Find out what to do if you think your Apple ID has been compromised

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