Top 4 Ways to Fix Sharing Name and Photo Not Available on iPhone

Previously, iMessage users could not change their display names or images. That changed with the deployment of iOS 13 for the iPhone. Now, users can customize their iMessage profile with a name, image or Memoji of their choice. Customization is pretty straightforward, but some iOS users get an error message every time they try to change their iMessage name and image.

This problem is common on new iPhones. Some users who have also recently updated their iOS 13 have also encountered this problem. The problem could be due to an iOS 13 bug or a conflict in the configuration of your device’s Apple ID.

Fortunately, the problem can be resolved, and we have listed four (4) troubleshooting methods that will help you get things right on your device.

1. Use multiple addresses for iMessage

If you only use your mobile number for iMessage on your iPhone or iPad, you can get rid of this error by also instructing your device to use your Apple ID for iMessage. After that, you can share your name and photo in your iMessage.

Step 1: Launch the iOS Settings menu and select Messages.

2nd step: Then press “Send and receive”.

Step 3: Tap “Use your Apple ID for iMessage”.

This will prompt you to sign in to your Apple ID.

Step 4: In the context menu, select “Connection” to use the Apple ID (e-mail) displayed for iMessage.

Otherwise, tap “Use another Apple ID” to sign in with an entirely different Apple ID.

If Apple ID credentials are saved on your device, iOS will connect it to iMessage in seconds. Otherwise, you will need to enter the password manually.

Once connected, you should see new Apple ID addresses where you can receive iMessages.

Now go back to the Messages menu and press “Share name and photo”. You should now be able to configure your iMessage name and photo.

2. Reconnect the Apple ID

Sometimes your device may display this name and photo sharing error if your device is unable to establish a connection with the Apple ID server. In this case, logging out of the Apple ID and reconnecting may help.

However, before continuing, it’s important to check what happens when you sign out of Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad. Follow the steps below to sign out of the Apple ID on your device.

Step 1: Launch the iPhone settings menu and your device profile at the top of the page.

2nd step: Then press the Logout button at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3: Enter your Apple ID account password and tap Deactivate.

Step 4: Choose the data (iCloud) that you want to keep on your device and press Logout.

Log in to your Apple ID and check if the name and photo sharing feature on iMessage now works.

3. Remove devices from Apple ID

If you have more than one phone number or device associated with your Apple ID, this can cause iMessage’s “Share name and photo not available” error to appear. For example, if you share your Apple ID with friends or family members, you receive an error message each time you try to use the feature.

To resolve this issue, you must remotely disconnect other devices associated with your Apple ID.

Step 1: Open your iPhone’s settings menu and tap on the device name.

If you have multiple devices on your Apple ID, you should see them listed on the page.

2nd step: Tap the device you want to delete.

Step 3: Select “Remove from Account” and press Remove at the confirmation prompt.

Go back to your iMessage, turn on name and photo sharing and see if it works.

4. Update iOS

This problem may also be due to some kind of bug in the iOS version that you have installed on your device. Some users have also reported this issue to occur immediately after updating to a new iOS version. You can resolve this issue by updating the iOS on your iPhone or iPad to the latest version available for your device. And if you’re already using the latest version of iOS, you may have to wait for Apple to release a new version of iOS containing the bug fix.

Go to Settings> General> Software Update and install any updates available on the page.

Redefine your iMessage experience

Personalizing your iMessage’s name and profile picture will help your contacts (and the people you send by SMS) to identify you faster and better. Use one of the methods mentioned above to clear the “Share name and photo not available” error on your iPhone or iPad. And if none of them work, you can deactivate iMessage and reactivate it. Additionally, you can restart your device after applying any of the troubleshooting tips.