How to Connect OpenClaw to iMessage on Mac
iMessage doesn't have an official API, but OpenClaw can integrate via Messages.app automation on macOS. This advanced guide walks you through enabling automation, configuring an AppleScript bridge, setting up contact filtering, and handling media — with all the caveats of an unofficial integration.
Why This Is Hard to Do Yourself
These are the common pitfalls that trip people up.
No official API
Apple doesn't provide an iMessage API. OpenClaw uses Messages.app automation, which is fragile and Mac-only.
macOS security permissions
Messages.app automation requires Full Disk Access, Accessibility permissions, and Automation permissions in System Settings
Mac must stay awake
iMessage integration requires Messages.app to be running and the Mac to be awake. Sleep mode breaks the connection.
Media handling complexity
iMessage media (images, videos, files) are saved to local disk. OpenClaw needs file system access and media processing logic.
Step-by-Step Guide
Enable Messages.app automation
# 1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security
# 2. Full Disk Access → Enable for:
# - Terminal (or your OpenClaw process)
# - Script Editor
# 3. Accessibility → Enable for:
# - Terminal
# 4. Automation → Enable for:
# - Terminal → Messages.appWarning: iMessage integration requires a Mac running macOS 11+ and Messages.app signed into your Apple ID. This integration is not officially supported by Apple and may break with OS updates.
Configure AppleScript bridge
# OpenClaw uses AppleScript to read/send iMessages:
# config/channels/imessage.yaml:
imessage:
enabled: true
applescript_path: "/usr/local/bin/openclaw-imessage-bridge.scpt"
messages_db: "~/Library/Messages/chat.db" # SQLite database
poll_interval: 2 # Check for new messages every 2 seconds
allowed_contacts: [] # Empty = all, or list phone numbers/emailsSet up the OpenClaw iMessage adapter
# The adapter polls Messages.app database for new messages:
# Install dependencies:
brew install sqlite3
# OpenClaw reads from ~/Library/Messages/chat.db
# Messages are marked as read after processing to avoid duplicatesConfigure contact filtering
# In config/channels/imessage.yaml (continued):
contacts:
allowed_list:
- "+15551234567" # Phone numbers
- "friend@icloud.com" # Email addresses
blocked_list:
- "+15559999999"
require_contacts: true # Only respond to saved contactsWarning: Without contact filtering, OpenClaw responds to ALL iMessages received, including spam. Always configure allowed_list or require_contacts.
Handle media attachments
# iMessage media is saved to:
# ~/Library/Messages/Attachments/
#
# In config/channels/imessage.yaml (continued):
media:
enabled: true
attachments_dir: "~/Library/Messages/Attachments"
max_file_size_mb: 100
supported_types:
- image/jpeg
- image/png
- image/heic
- video/mp4
- application/pdfTest the integration
# Start OpenClaw:
openclaw start --channel imessage
# Send yourself an iMessage from another device
# Check logs:
tail -f ~/.openclaw/logs/channels.log | grep imessage
# You should see incoming message events and responses being sentiMessage Integration Needs Careful Setup
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