Integration iMessage

OpenClaw iMessage Setup: macOS-Only Integration Guide

Complete guide to setting up OpenClaw with iMessage on macOS. Learn how to configure the Apple Messages bridge, set up native iMessage integration, and use OpenClaw from your Mac and iPhone.

↻ Updated: February 1, 2026 8 min read

Quick Answer

Set up OpenClaw iMessage: macOS-only feature. Run `openclaw integrations imessage`, grant Messages app permissions, ensure iMessage is signed in, and start chatting. Works with iPhone messages via Continuity.

Introduction

iMessage integration is a macOS-exclusive feature that brings OpenClaw directly into Apple’s Messages app. This native integration allows you to use your AI assistant from both your Mac and iPhone (via Continuity), making it seamlessly accessible across your Apple devices.

This guide covers everything you need to set up OpenClaw with iMessage on macOS.

Note: iMessage integration is macOS-only and requires macOS 13+ (Ventura or later).

For other chat app integrations, see our guides:

Why iMessage?

iMessage integration offers unique advantages:

  • Native macOS Integration — Built into Apple Messages
  • iPhone Access — Works via Continuity on iPhone
  • End-to-End Encryption — Apple’s encryption for messages
  • Media Support — Send/receive images, videos, documents
  • Group Chats — Works in iMessage group conversations
  • No Third-Party Apps — Uses native Messages app

Prerequisites

Before setting up iMessage integration:

  1. macOS 13+ (Ventura or later) — Required for Messages bridge
  2. OpenClaw Installed — See macOS installation guide
  3. OpenClaw Configured — Run openclaw onboard to set up your AI model
  4. iMessage Enabled — Signed in to iMessage on your Mac
  5. Messages App — Apple Messages app must be installed and working

Step 1: Enable iMessage

Sign In to iMessage

  1. Open Messages app on your Mac
  2. Go to Messages → Settings (or Preferences)
  3. Click “Sign In” if not already signed in
  4. Enter your Apple ID credentials
  5. Verify — You may need to verify on another device

Verify iMessage is Working

Send a test message to yourself or another Apple device to ensure iMessage is functioning correctly.

Step 2: Configure OpenClaw

Run Integration Setup

Start the iMessage integration:

openclaw integrations imessage

Or use the general integrations command:

openclaw integrations
# Select iMessage from the menu

Grant Permissions

OpenClaw will request permissions:

  1. Full Disk Access — Required to access Messages database

    • System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access
    • Add OpenClaw or Terminal (depending on how you run it)

  2. Automation — Required to control Messages app

    • System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation
    • Allow OpenClaw to control Messages

  3. Accessibility — May be required for some features

    • System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
    • Add OpenClaw if prompted

Verify Connection

After granting permissions, you should see:

✓ iMessage integration configured successfully!
  Messages app: Connected
  Bridge: Active

Step 3: Start Using OpenClaw

Create a Contact

For easier access, create a contact for OpenClaw:

  1. Open Contacts app
  2. Create new contact named “OpenClaw” or “AI Assistant”
  3. Add email or phone (OpenClaw will provide details)
  4. Save contact

Send Messages

  1. Open Messages app
  2. Start a new conversation with OpenClaw
  3. Send a message like “Hello, can you help me?”

OpenClaw will process your message and respond through iMessage.

Use from iPhone

Thanks to Continuity, messages sent to OpenClaw on your Mac will sync to your iPhone:

  1. Ensure Continuity is enabled:

    • iPhone: Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Messages (on)
    • Mac: System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Messages (on)

  2. Open Messages on iPhone

  3. Find OpenClaw conversation

  4. Send messages — They’ll be processed by OpenClaw on your Mac

Advanced Features

Group Chat Support

OpenClaw works in iMessage group chats:

  1. Add OpenClaw to a group chat
  2. Mention or message OpenClaw in the group
  3. OpenClaw responds in the group context

Configure group behavior:

openclaw config set imessage.groups.enabled true
openclaw config set imessage.groups.requireMention true

Media Handling

OpenClaw can handle:

  • Images — Analyze and describe images
  • Videos — Extract information from videos
  • Documents — Read PDFs, Word docs, etc.
  • Audio — Process voice messages

Send media to OpenClaw and ask it to process it.

Read Receipts

Configure read receipts:

openclaw config set imessage.readReceipts true

Delivery Status

OpenClaw can show delivery status for messages it sends.

Configuration Options

Response Formatting

Configure how OpenClaw formats responses:

openclaw config set imessage.format "plain"

Options:

  • plain — Plain text (recommended for iMessage)
  • markdown — Markdown formatting (limited support)

Notification Settings

Control notifications:

openclaw config set imessage.notifications.enabled true
openclaw config set imessage.notifications.quietHours "22:00-08:00"

Privacy Settings

Configure privacy:

openclaw config set imessage.privacy.contactsOnly true

Only respond to messages from contacts.

Auto-Reply

Configure automatic responses:

openclaw config set imessage.autoReply true
openclaw config set imessage.autoReply.delay 5

Delays response by 5 seconds to appear more natural.

Troubleshooting

Permission Denied Errors

If you see permission errors:

  1. Check Full Disk Access:

    • System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access
    • Ensure OpenClaw or Terminal is added

  2. Check Automation:

    • System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation
    • Allow OpenClaw to control Messages

  3. Restart OpenClaw after granting permissions

Messages Not Received

If OpenClaw isn’t receiving messages:

  1. Check iMessage is signed in:

    • Messages → Settings → iMessage (should be on)

  2. Verify bridge status:

    openclaw status

  3. Check logs:

    openclaw logs

  4. Restart Messages app:

    • Quit Messages completely
    • Reopen Messages
    • Restart OpenClaw

Bridge Not Connecting

If the bridge fails to connect:

  1. Check macOS version:

    sw_vers

    Should be macOS 13+ (Ventura or later)

  2. Verify Messages app — Ensure Messages is installed and working

  3. Check permissions — Re-grant all required permissions

  4. Restart Mac — Sometimes required for permission changes

iPhone Continuity Not Working

If messages don’t sync to iPhone:

  1. Check iCloud Messages:

    • iPhone: Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Messages (on)
    • Mac: System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Messages (on)

  2. Sign out and back in to iCloud on both devices

  3. Wait a few minutes — Sync can take time

  4. Check network — Both devices need internet connection

OpenClaw Not Responding

If OpenClaw receives messages but doesn’t respond:

  1. Check AI model configuration:

    openclaw config get ai.model

  2. Verify API keys — Ensure your AI provider API key is valid

  3. Check logs:

    openclaw logs

  4. Test AI model:

    openclaw test

Security Best Practices

Message Privacy

  • End-to-End Encryption — iMessage messages are encrypted
  • Local Processing — OpenClaw processes messages locally
  • No Cloud Storage — Messages stay on your devices

Access Control

  • Contacts Only — Restrict to contacts:

    openclaw config set imessage.privacy.contactsOnly true

  • Specific Contacts — Whitelist specific contacts:

    openclaw config set imessage.allowedContacts ["contact1@email.com"]

Data Security

  • Secure Storage — OpenClaw data stored in ~/.openclaw
  • No External Access — Messages not sent to external servers
  • Local AI — Consider using local AI models for maximum privacy

Advanced Use Cases

Personal Assistant

Use OpenClaw as personal assistant:

  • Email management — Check and respond to emails
  • Calendar — View and manage schedule
  • Tasks — Track todos and projects
  • Quick answers — Get information quickly

Family Group Chat

Use in family group chats:

  • Coordination — Help coordinate family activities
  • Information — Answer questions for family
  • Reminders — Send reminders to family members

Work Communication

Use for work (if allowed):

  • Quick lookups — Find information quickly
  • Task management — Track work tasks
  • Scheduling — Coordinate meetings

Limitations

macOS Only

iMessage integration is macOS-only:

  • Requires macOS 13+ (Ventura)
  • Doesn’t work on Windows or Linux
  • iPhone access via Continuity only

Messages Database Access

OpenClaw needs to access Messages database:

  • Requires Full Disk Access permission
  • Some users may be uncomfortable with this
  • Consider privacy implications

Apple Restrictions

Subject to Apple’s restrictions:

  • iMessage API limitations
  • May break with macOS updates
  • Dependent on Messages app functionality

Comparison with Other Platforms

iMessage vs WhatsApp

  • iMessage — Native macOS, iPhone Continuity, Apple encryption
  • WhatsApp — Cross-platform, more users, WhatsApp Web

See our WhatsApp guide for comparison.

iMessage vs Telegram

  • iMessage — Native integration, Apple ecosystem
  • Telegram — More features, cross-platform, bot API

See our Telegram guide for details.

Next Steps

Now that iMessage is connected:

  1. Explore Other Integrations — WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord
  2. Set Up Skills — Skills Library
  3. Configure Email — Gmail Integration
  4. Read FAQ — Common Questions

Conclusion

iMessage integration provides a seamless, native way to use OpenClaw on macOS. With iPhone Continuity support, you can access your AI assistant from both your Mac and iPhone. While it requires macOS and some permissions, the native integration makes it feel like a built-in feature.

For more help, check our macOS setup guide, integrations page, or FAQ. Happy chatting with OpenClaw on iMessage!

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