Using Apple’s messaging service iMessage, it is possible to send and receive messages. The service is exclusive to Apple users, which means that you can only exchange messages with iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch users.
iMessage uses the phone number and email address associated with your Apple ID. Users can then contact you at this address or number via iMessage. If you have a different telephone number or email address, you can easily change this so that you can be reached again. You can also link multiple numbers and email addresses so that you can also be reached on these.
Check iMessage data
If you want to know which telephone number and email address are linked to iMessage, you can check this. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings â–¸ Messages â–¸ Send & Receive. On a Mac you do this via Messages app â–¸ Menu bar â–¸ Messages â–¸ Settings / Preferences â–¸ iMessage.
Manage iMessage phone number or email address
- Open ‘Settings’ on your iPhone or iPad
- Tap your name
- Choose ‘Login and security’
- Tap ‘Edit’ under ‘Email and phone numbers’
- Choose ‘Add email or telephone number’
- Tap the red button to change an item
On a Mac, you can do this via  ▸ System Settings ▸ Your Name ▸ Login & Security ▸ tap the plus button below the list of current phone numbers and email addresses. Select an item in the list and click the minus button to delete it.
If you have macOS Monterey, Big Sur or Catalina, you can do this via  ▸ System Preferences ▸ Apple ID ▸ Name, phone, email ▸ plus button. Do you still have macOS Mojave or earlier? Then you can adjust this via  ▸ System Preferences ▸ iCloud ▸ Account information ▸ Contact ▸ Plus button.
Delete contact information without Apple device
The above steps are enough to disconnect the phone number from iMessage. If you no longer have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can delete your phone number from Apple’s iMessage database. You do this via this special Apple page.