How to Fix “Sharing Name And Photo Not Available” on iPhone

If sharing name and photo is not available on your iOS device and you are probably getting the “sharing name and photo is not available because iCloud and iMessage accounts are different or are not signed in” error on your Apple device, then you won’t be able to turn on this feature.

On your Apple devices, you can share your name and photo in the messages you send. You can use a custom photo, emoji, monogram, or personalized Memoji to add personality and emotions to your texts.

You can also enter your name the way you want it displayed when setting up your name and photo sharing on your Apple device. However, this could take another turn when you want to share the name you previously configured on your device.

So, here we will briefly discuss sharing name and photo not available issues on iPhone and how to resolve this issue.

sharing name and photo not available

Sharing Name And Photo Not Available

First, you need to look out for the possible solution to resolve this name and photo not available issue. When this is solved you can now devise means to prevent it from future occurrences.

Use The Same Apple ID For iCloud and iMessage

The error message you are getting says “sharing name and photo is not available because iCloud and iMessage accounts are different or are not signed in”. Then you should ensure you use the same iCloud account and iMessage account to fix this issue.

To check if you have used the same iCloud account and iMessage account. Follow the step below to check if you use the same iCloud account and iMessage account on your iPhone:

Navigate to Settings > Click your name if you have already signed in with your  Apple ID account. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you should create an Apple ID and sign in to iCloud with the Apple ID that you just created.

Navigate to Settings > Messages > iMessage > Send & Receive.

Now check if you send and receive messages to and reply using the same Apple ID as the one signed into your iPhone.

Sign In Using The Same iCloud And Apple ID

After checking if you use the same iCloud and Apple ID accounts to sign into your Apple device. If they are not the same, the next thing is to sign in with the same iCloud and Apple ID accounts.

If you already signed up with your  Apple ID account, take note of the Apple ID. And if not signed in, you should create an Apple ID and sign into iCloud on your device with the Apple ID that you just created.

Navigate to Settings > Messages > iMessage > Send & Receive

Now you would see an option below that indicates that you should “use your Apple ID for iMessage”.

  • Then tap on “use your Apple ID for iMessage”.

Finally, use the same Apple ID that you sign into the iMessage on your device.

Turn Off And Restart iMessage

Simply turning iMessage Off and On is a good troubleshooting step that can help to fix temporary iMessage issues such as the sharing name and photo not available issue.

Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage.

  • Depending on the model of your iPhone, now restart your iPhone.

Follow this step to reset your iPhone X, 11, 12, or 13:

  • Press and hold the volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears on the screen of your device.
  • Drag the slider, and wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.
  • To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen of your device.

Follow this step to reset your iPhone 8, 7, or 6:

  • Press and hold the side button until the power-off slider appears.
  • Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.
  • To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

Follow this step to reset your iPhone 5, or earlier:

  • Press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears.
  • The power button is located on the top of the device.
  • Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.
  • To turn your device back on, press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo.

After you have successfully reset your iPhone

  • Now turn iMessage back on.

Update Your Apple Device

Always ensure you update your iPhone to the latest version to fix software issues. Follow these steps to update your iPhone:

  • Before you proceed first back up your device using iCloud or your computer.
  • Now plug your iPhone into power and connect to the internet with Wi-Fi or turn on cellular data.
  • Navigate to Settings > General, then click Software Update.
  • In case there are two software update options available, you should select the one that you want to install.
  • Tap Install Now.
  • Also if you see Download and Install instead, you should click on it to download the update, enter your passcode, and tap Install Now.

How To Turn On Share Name And Photo On iPhone

How To Turn On Share Name And Photo On iPhone

If you would like to share your information on your contacts card, you should set up name and photo sharing on your iPhone.

Follow these steps to turn on the name and photo on iPhone:

  • Open the Messages app on your Apple device, select Messages > Preferences, then click General.
  • Choose “Set up Name and Photo Sharing,” and follow the onscreen instructions to make the following changes.

To choose a photo: Select a default item, or choose to Customize to choose a photo, emoji, monogram, or personalized Memoji. This updated image can be used on your iPhone for Apple ID or Contacts photos.

To choose a name: Enter your name the way you want it to appear on your iPhone.

To automatically share your information: Tap the pop-up menu to automatically share your name and photo with your contacts.

You can also be prompted to share your name and photo in a new iMessage conversation. But when you share your name and photo on iMessage

  • Now Finally click Done.

iMessage Profile Picture Not Showing

If you are unable to see the profile picture of some of your contacts, you should update your contacts card. When someone in your contacts shares their name and photo in messages you would be prompted to update your contacts card in the contacts app.

Failure to update your contacts card may result in you being unable to see their new information. To resolve this issue ensure you have “Contacts” enabled for syncing.

Why Does It Say Sharing Name And Photo Not Available On iPhone?

The main reason sharing name and photos not available on iPhone may appear on your screen is because your iCloud and iMessage accounts are different or are not signed in on your device.

Why Can I Not Share My Name And Photo On iMessage

If you are unable to share your name and photo on iMessage, this is because your iCloud and iMessage accounts are different or are not signed in.

To fix this issue first ensure you have updated your iPhone to the latest version. Then ensure you use the same Apple ID to sign into your iCloud and iMessage accounts.

How Do I Create a Shared Name And Photo Available

Take the steps below to setup name and photo sharing on your Apple device:

  • Open the Messages app on your device.
  • Select Messages > Preferences, then click General.
  • Select “Set up Name and Photo Sharing,” then customize the photo, name, and share automatically.
  • Now click Done.

How Do You Turn On Share Name And Picture In iMessage

How Do You Turn On Share Name And Picture In iMessage

Follow these steps if you would like to turn on the share name and photo in your messages app.

  • Navigate to settings.
  • Tap messages.
  • Toggle on iMessages if it is not enabled.
  • Then ensure you use your Apple ID for iMessage
  • Now go back and tap share name and photo.

In conclusion, if you are getting an error message that reads sharing name and photo not available whenever you try to share name and photo with your contacts.

This often occurs because your iCloud and iMessage accounts are different or are not signed in.

To resolve this issue check if you use the same Apple ID for your iCloud and iMessage accounts. And ensure you sign in to your iCloud and iMessage accounts using the same Apple ID.

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