# iMessage

Send and receive iMessages from a dedicated Apple-registered number, with SMS/RCS fallback, opt-in links, groups and the unified inbox

import { PlatformCapabilities } from '@/components/platform-capabilities';

Send and receive iMessages from a dedicated, Apple-registered number that Zernio orders for you.

- Conversations thread into the [inbox](/messages/list-inbox-conversations) alongside WhatsApp, SMS and your social DMs.
- Your existing send call, webhooks and automations apply unchanged.
- Contacts not on iMessage get the same message as SMS or RCS from that number.

## Quick reference

<PlatformCapabilities rows={[
  { property: 'Sender', value: 'A dedicated number in the US or UK, ordered through Zernio (or an email handle through the API)' },
  { property: 'Activation', value: 'Instant for numbers listed as available now; otherwise a few hours, carrier-assigned' },
  { property: 'Message types', value: 'Text, images, videos, files, voice notes, location pins, contact card' },
  { property: 'iMessage extras', value: 'Bubble subject, screen and bubble effects, replies, tapbacks and emoji reactions, edit (15 min), unsend (2 min)' },
  { property: 'Fallback', value: 'SMS or RCS from the same number when the contact is not on iMessage; call forwarding' },
  { property: 'New contacts', value: 'Yes: one new conversation every 15 minutes per sender, 2 a day at first rising to 50 over three weeks, a first message without links, emails, phone numbers, prices or attachments, up to two follow-ups a day apart until they reply' },
  { property: 'Group chats', value: 'Yes: reply, rename, photo, add and remove participants' },
  { property: 'Opt-in', value: 'Deep links, hosted page, tracked links with parameters; STOP and START handled automatically' },
  { property: 'Broadcasts and automations', value: 'Yes, through the shared broadcasts, workflows and sequences APIs' },
  { property: 'Price', value: '$200 per sender per month, billed while active from activation, plus the connected-account fee' },
]} />

## Before you start

iMessage requires usage-based billing. Order a sender from the dashboard or the API.

A sender is live within minutes for an instant number, or within hours for a carrier-assigned one.

## How it fits together

1. **Order a sender.** [Order a number](/platforms/imessage/connect) on a profile; it appears as an `imessage` account once active.
2. **Bring contacts in.** Share an [opt-in link](/platforms/imessage/opt-in) so contacts text you first, or [message new contacts](/platforms/imessage/new-contacts) directly within the pacing and warm-up limits.
3. **Message.** Send and receive through the [inbox](/platforms/imessage/inbox); delivery, reactions and inbound messages arrive on your [webhooks](/webhooks).

## In this section

<PlatformPages platform="imessage" />

## Related

- [Order an iMessage sender](/imessage/order-imessage-sender) - Get a dedicated number on a profile
- [List available numbers](/imessage/list-imessage-available-numbers) - Numbers that activate the moment you order
- [Create an opt-in link](/imessage/create-imessage-opt-in-link) - Tracked link that opens Messages with a prefilled text
- [List audience](/imessage/list-imessage-audience) - Contacts who have messaged a sender, with subscription state
- [Start a conversation](/messages/create-inbox-conversation) - Message a contact who has never written to the sender
- [Send a message](/messages/send-inbox-message) - Same inbox endpoint as every other channel
- [Start a group chat](/imessage/create-imessage-group) - Group creation and management