OpenClaw with iMessage and iOS: Setup Guide

iMessage integration for OpenClaw is macOS-specific and less robust than Telegram or Slack. That said, if your OpenClaw runs on a Mac and you want to send messages from your iPhone, this is how it works.

Approach 1: AppleScript Bridge (iMessage on Mac)

This approach lets OpenClaw read incoming iMessages and reply via the macOS Messages app.

Prerequisites

• macOS 12+ (Monterey or later)
• Messages app configured and signed in
• OpenClaw running on the same Mac
• Full Disk Access granted to OpenClaw (for AppleScript execution)

Grant Permissions

1. System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation
2. Enable "Messages" permission for Terminal (or whichever app runs OpenClaw)
3. System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access
4. Add Terminal / OpenClaw to the list

Configure OpenClaw

integrations:
  imessage:
    enabled: true
    bridge: "applescript"
    monitored_contacts:
      - "self"           # Messages you send yourself — useful as a personal inbox
      - "+1234567890"    # Specific contacts to monitor
    reply_via_messages: true
    polling_interval: 5   # Check for new messages every 5 seconds

The self option means you message yourself on iMessage from your iPhone to trigger OpenClaw. Clean and private — no third-party contact needed.

How It Works

OpenClaw polls the Messages SQLite database (~/Library/Messages/chat.db) for new incoming messages matching your configured contacts. When a new message arrives, it processes the text and sends a reply via AppleScript:

tell application "Messages"
  set targetService to 1st account whose service type = iMessage
  set targetBuddy to participant "+1234567890" of targetService
  send "Response text here" to targetBuddy
end tell

Approach 2: iOS Shortcuts (HTTP Request to OpenClaw API)

This approach doesn't use iMessage's messaging thread — instead, you create an iOS Shortcut that sends a voice or text input directly to OpenClaw's API.

Enable OpenClaw's API

Ensure the HTTP API is enabled in your config:

api:
  enabled: true
  port: 3000
  auth_token: "your-secret-token"

Your Mac must be reachable from your iPhone — on the same home Wi-Fi, or via a domain/tunnel if remote.

Create the iOS Shortcut

1. Open Shortcuts on your iPhone
2. Tap + → Add Action
3. Search for and add Get Contents of URL
4. Configure:
   • URL: http://your-mac-local-ip:3000/api/message
   • Method: POST
   • Headers: Authorization: Bearer your-secret-token
   • Body (JSON): {"text": "[Shortcut Input]"}
5. Add a Show Result action to display the response
6. Add the shortcut to your Home Screen or configure it for Siri ("Hey Siri, ask OpenClaw...")

Now you can ask your AI a question by tapping the shortcut or using Siri — the response appears on screen.

Approach 3: Telegram as iPhone Alternative

If you want a reliable mobile experience on iPhone without iMessage complexity, Telegram is the recommended path.

Telegram has an official bot API, works on iOS perfectly, delivers push notifications reliably, and doesn't require your Mac to be awake.

See the WhatsApp and Telegram setup guide for the full walkthrough.

iMessage Limitations to Know

Requires Mac to be on. If your Mac sleeps or the Messages app quits, iMessage integration stops. OpenClaw on a Mac mini or always-on desktop machine is far more reliable than a laptop.

AppleScript can break with macOS updates. Apple occasionally changes AppleScript access to Messages. Expect to potentially re-grant permissions after major macOS updates.

No group chat support. The iMessage bridge works best for 1:1 conversations. Group iMessage monitoring is unreliable and not recommended.

Chat.db access requires Full Disk Access. This is a meaningful permission. Only grant it if you're comfortable with OpenClaw reading your Mac's message database.

iMessage not available on VPS. If you run OpenClaw on a Linux VPS, this integration doesn't apply. Use Telegram, Slack, or Discord instead.

Testing the Integration

After setup, message yourself on iMessage from your iPhone:

Hello, this is a test.

On your Mac, check the OpenClaw logs:

openclaw logs --tail 20

You should see the message received, processed, and a reply sent. If not, check:

1. Messages app is open on Mac
2. Automation permission is granted
3. The monitored_contacts list matches the contact you messaged from

Comparison: iMessage vs Other OpenClaw Integrations

Related reading:

• How to Connect OpenClaw to WhatsApp and Telegram
• How to Connect OpenClaw to Slack
• OpenClaw Getting Started Guide