Automated responses, explained plainly
Updated
What an iMessage bot is, and how to run one
An iMessage bot is software that reads and replies to iMessage conversations automatically, usually through a business messaging platform's API or MCP server, since Apple does not publish a public iMessage bot API. On Beam, you can run one two ways: use the built-in AI text assistant, or connect your own agent, Claude, ChatGPT or another model, through Beam's API and pause the built-in assistant when your agent takes over.
What an iMessage bot actually is
Strip away the branding and an iMessage bot is three parts: something that can read a conversation, logic that decides what to say back, and a way to actually send the reply over iMessage. For customer support, sales follow-up or appointment reminders, that logic ranges from a fixed template to a full AI agent reading the thread and drafting its own reply.
Is there an official Apple iMessage bot API?
No. Apple's Messages framework documents building iMessage app extensions, interactive bubbles, stickers and similar in-conversation features, not a general bot API for sending and receiving arbitrary business messages. Every working iMessage bot today sits on top of either a self-hosted automation layer on a Mac, or a hosted business messaging platform's own API.
Two ways to run an iMessage bot on Beam
Use the built-in AI text assistant. Beam's assistant reads incoming conversations, drafts a reply using business context and qualification rules you configure, checks a live calendar before proposing a time, and only marks a thread booked once the calendar confirms it. Certain situations, an angry lead, a legal topic, a refund decision, a stop request or a human taking over, pause the assistant for that conversation automatically.
Bring your own agent. Build on Beam's API and MCP server instead. Pause the built-in assistant for a conversation with conversation_pause, read recent messages, generate a reply in your own system, and send it with message_send once you have explicit send permission on an active assigned line. See connecting Claude Code to iMessage over MCP for the exact setup.
How the built-in assistant is trained and published
Per Beam's developer docs, changes to the default assistant go through a draft, preview, then publish cycle: read the current configuration and its revision, create a replacement draft, preview it against test history (which uses AI credits but never sends or books anything), and publish only once you are satisfied. Beam keeps the prior configuration as a rollback draft you can republish if a change does not work out.
What to test before launch
- Send one inbound test message and confirm it appears once in Beam, not duplicated.
- Send one reply and confirm the test contact receives it exactly once.
- Trigger a pause. Have a teammate reply manually and confirm the assistant (or your own agent) stops responding to that thread.
- Check an opt-out. Text STOP from the test contact and confirm no further automated message goes out.
- If a calendar is involved, confirm a booked appointment actually appears on the calendar before trusting the bot's own claim that it booked something.
Self-hosted bot vs a hosted iMessage bot
| Factor | Self-hosted (for example, OpenClaw) | Hosted on Beam |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | A Mac you run and maintain | Beam's hosted platform |
| Messaging identity | Your own Apple ID | A dedicated business line |
| Built-in assistant option | Not documented; you provide the logic | Yes, with draft and preview before publishing |
| Bring your own AI agent | Yes, if you build the integration | Yes, over MCP and API with explicit permission |
Read how OpenClaw's self-hosted iMessage channel works if you are weighing that option specifically.
Before you connect
Common iMessage bot questions
What is an iMessage bot?
Software that reads iMessage conversations and sends automated replies, built either on a self-hosted automation layer or on a hosted business messaging platform's API.
Is there an official Apple iMessage bot API?
No. Apple's Messages framework documents iMessage app extensions, such as stickers and interactive bubbles, not a general bot API for sending and receiving business messages.
Can I use ChatGPT or Claude to power an iMessage bot?
Yes. Connect your agent to Beam's API or MCP server, pause the built-in assistant for that conversation, then read and reply using Beam's tools once you have explicit send permission.
Does an iMessage bot need a dedicated phone number?
On Beam, yes: a dedicated business line separate from anyone's personal Apple ID. A self-hosted bot typically uses whatever Apple ID is signed in to the Mac running it.
How do I stop the bot and take over a conversation?
On Beam, a human reply pauses the built-in assistant for that conversation automatically, with no automatic unpause. An external agent should call conversation_pause before taking over.
Does an iMessage bot guarantee delivery?
No. An accepted or queued send is not proof of delivery. Check delivery status or event webhooks rather than assuming a reply went through.
Can an agency run a different bot configuration per client?
Yes, on Beam each client workspace has its own inbox, assistant configuration, numbers, team and API key, isolated from other clients.
Sources
Checked October 2026.
Start with a conversation
Run your bot on a dedicated business line
Tell our team what you want the bot to do. We will walk through the built-in assistant and the bring-your-own-agent path.
Live sending requires a plan and an assigned dedicated line.
iMessage
Today 9:41 AM
Hi! I would love to hear how your coaching works.
Happy to chat. Would Thursday work for a discovery call?
Thursday sounds great! Looking forward to meeting you.
Blue bubbles. Read receipts. Typing.
Want this for your business?
Try a conversation with the Beam team.
Beam is not affiliated with Anthropic or Apple.
Powered by Beam