Apple has opened its Messages for Business platform to standalone AI agents for the first time, with iOS users now able to interact with a third-party AI directly inside the native iMessage interface. Poke, developed by Palo Alto-based startup The Interaction Company of California, was confirmed on June 4, 2026, as the first and only AI agent approved to operate on the platform.
What Changed on Apple's Messaging Platform
Apple's Messages for Business platform had previously been limited to established businesses, airlines, retailers, hotel chains, and similar operators, communicating with their own customers through iMessage via a standardized interface supporting both automated chat and live agents. Until now, the platform had not been open to standalone third-party AI agents.
For consumers, the approval means they can now access AI assistance directly within the familiar iMessage interface, without needing to download a separate app or learn a new tool. Apple's Messages for Business platform provides a way for consumers to interact through iMessage's interface directly, allowing them to reach out for information, support, appointment scheduling, and more, without having to call by phone.
What Poke Does and Who Built It
Poke launched in March 2026 and is designed to be accessible to everyday users who do not have the technical skill set or inclination to work with command-line tools or more complex agentic systems. The service operates via text-based conversations and can help users manage schedules, control smart home devices, edit photos, track health goals, and perform other everyday tasks without a dedicated app.
The AI service already operates over SMS, Telegram, and, in some markets, WhatsApp. The company says it has relayed about 100 million messages so far across its supported platforms. iMessage is now added as a fourth distribution channel.
Poke is backed by Spark Capital, General Catalyst, and other angel investors. The startup recently added $10 million in new funding on top of last year's $15 million seed round and is now valued at $300 million post-money.
Say hi to the new Poke! 🌴
— Poke (@interaction) June 4, 2026
Now officially approved by Apple to text on Apple Messages.
As the first and only AI agent. Chat now: https://t.co/VIWYU64dUI pic.twitter.com/AtZxupI2Ji
Apple's Approval Requirements
Poke's founders said the approval process took several months. Apple required the company to provide access to human support when needed, clearly identify the service as AI-generated, and make product changes to comply with platform guidelines.
Poke also submitted testimonies from its messaging providers and customized its user interface to meet Apple's guidelines, including showing link previews instead of inline links and adopting Apple's style guide for buttons and interface elements.
Marvin von Hagen, co-founder of The Interaction Company of California, stated that the company's alignment with Apple on brand trust was a factor in being selected first. He noted that many consumer products today are focused on reaching scale through questionable tactics, adding: "We care about quality, we care to have a brand that signals trust."
Von Hagen confirmed: "This took a couple of months to adhere to all of these standards, and it will take anyone else who wants to build on this; it will also take them a couple of months to get through this approval process."
Apple's Per-User Fee Structure
Von Hagen confirmed that The Interaction Company of California will pay Apple on a per-user basis for access to the Messages for Business platform. He declined to disclose exact pricing but noted it is significantly lower than the fees charged by Meta AI after Meta increased its rates in response to EU regulation requiring it to permit third-party AI agents on WhatsApp.
This per-user structure introduces a new potential revenue stream for Apple, especially if AI agents scale across millions of users, but it also adds a new operational cost for AI startups that will need to factor platform distribution fees into their business models.
Von Hagen addressed the arrangement directly, saying: "I think that Apple is just noticing this is the best way to offer AI, and actually, good for them, because they charge us. They charge us per user on the platform and actually make money with this, especially if it becomes really big."
Timing Relative to WWDC 2026
The announcement comes just days ahead of Apple's anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference, where the company is expected to introduce an AI-optimized version of Siri along with other AI tools and services for app developers. There have also been rumours that Apple would open its App Store to AI agents, though Poke's integration is specifically within Messages for Business, not a consumer-facing app.
It remains unclear whether Apple will announce any news related to AI agents on its Messages for Business platform at WWDC. Von Hagen said he is not aware of Apple's plans.
What This Means for Marketers and B2C Brands
For digital marketers and brands operating in local services or direct-to-consumer retail, this development introduces a new channel for AI-mediated customer interaction on iOS. Because Messages for Business supports appointment scheduling, purchase flows via Apple Pay, and two-way text conversations initiated by users, a brand or AI agent operating on the platform sits directly inside one of the most trusted interfaces on the iPhone. Businesses exploring conversational commerce on Apple devices should note that the platform's privacy model, where users initiate contact and can delete threads to prevent further outreach, places strict limits on re-engagement, which affects how AI-driven messaging strategies would need to be structured compared to email or SMS campaigns.
Poke is currently rolling out invites to existing users that will allow them to optionally move over to the iMessage experience. Apple had not responded to a request for comment as of the time of publication.
