iMessage

The Fastest Way: HeraClaw Cloud ⚡

Skip the Mac setup, AppleScript configuration, and iMessage integration headaches. HeraClaw Cloud comes with Mac infrastructure and iMessage integration pre-configured and ready to use in 60 seconds.

Why HeraClaw Cloud for iMessage?

✅ Ready in 60 seconds - No Mac required, no Messages.app configuration, no AppleScript debugging ✅ Mac infrastructure included - We provide the Mac servers, you just connect your Apple ID ✅ Always updated - We handle macOS updates and Messages.app changes automatically ✅ Professional support - If anything breaks, we fix it for you ✅ Secure by default - Enterprise-grade security, end-to-end encryption preserved ✅ Zero maintenance - No Mac to manage, no server uptime worries, no troubleshooting

The big difference: You don't need to own a Mac or keep it running 24/7. Our cloud Mac infrastructure handles everything.

How it works:

1. Sign up at cloud.getopenclaw.ai (no credit card required)
2. Go to Integrations → iMessage
3. Sign in with your Apple ID (secure OAuth)
4. Authorize HeraClaw to receive iMessages
5. Done! Start texting your AI assistant from your iPhone

Get Started: Start with HeraClaw Cloud →

Complete Guide to OpenClaw + iMessage

iMessage is the most personal communication platform in the Apple ecosystem. With 1.3+ billion active Apple devices worldwide, it's where iPhone, iPad, and Mac users naturally communicate. OpenClaw's iMessage integration brings powerful AI assistance directly to your Messages app, making help available wherever you are - on your morning commute, waiting in line, or relaxing at home.

Whether you're an individual power user or a team of Apple enthusiasts, this integration transforms how you access AI assistance. No new apps to download, no separate interfaces - just text your assistant like you'd text a friend and get instant, intelligent help.

Why Use iMessage with OpenClaw?

iMessage's unique position in the Apple ecosystem makes it one of the most intimate and accessible platforms for AI assistants. Here's why the OpenClaw + iMessage combination is transformative:

1. True Mobility - AI in Your Pocket

iMessage is with you everywhere your iPhone goes:

• Always accessible: Pull out your phone, open Messages, get help - takes 3 seconds
• No app switching: No need to open a separate AI app or browser
• Offline queue: Messages queue when offline, send when you reconnect
• Lock screen access: Quick Reply from notifications without unlocking
• Handoff support: Start on iPhone, continue on iPad or Mac seamlessly
• Apple Watch integration: Ask questions from your wrist via voice dictation

This makes it perfect for capturing thoughts, asking quick questions, and getting help while you're on the move. Your AI assistant is literally in your pocket, always ready.

2. Voice Notes with Whisper Transcription

iMessage's voice message feature combines perfectly with AI transcription:

• Hands-free input: Record a voice note while driving, walking, or multitasking
• Automatic transcription: Whisper AI transcribes your voice note instantly
• Intelligent processing: Assistant understands context from your spoken words
• Searchable history: Voice notes are transcribed and searchable later
• Long-form capture: Explain complex problems verbally instead of typing
• Accessibility: Perfect for users who prefer speaking over typing

Example: Recording a voice note saying "Remind me to follow up with Sarah about the Q2 budget proposal by Friday, and also check if the marketing team needs anything for the product launch" gets transcribed, processed, and turned into actionable tasks - all without typing a word.

3. End-to-End Encryption & Privacy

iMessage's security architecture is industry-leading:

• E2E encryption: Messages encrypted on your device, decrypted only on recipient device
• No metadata collection: Apple doesn't read or store your message content
• On-device processing: Sensitive data never leaves your Apple ecosystem
• Privacy-first design: Unlike WhatsApp/Telegram, Apple's business model isn't your data
• Secure enclave: Encryption keys stored in iPhone's secure hardware
• Two-factor authentication: Apple ID protected by 2FA

For privacy-conscious users, this is a massive advantage. Your conversations with your AI assistant are as private as conversations with family.

4. Apple Ecosystem Integration

Seamless integration across all your Apple devices:

• Universal sync: Message on iPhone, see it on iPad and Mac via iCloud
• Continuity: Start conversation on one device, continue on another
• Handoff: Switch devices mid-conversation without losing context
• Shared contacts: Uses your existing contacts from iCloud
• Siri integration: "Hey Siri, text OpenClaw 'what's on my calendar today?'"
• Shortcuts app: Automate common queries with iOS Shortcuts
• Focus modes: Customize when assistant notifications appear

If you're invested in the Apple ecosystem, this integration feels native and effortless.

5. Natural Conversational Interface

iMessage's familiar chat interface requires zero learning:

You: What's on my calendar today?OpenClaw: You have 3 events:• 10am - Team standup (30 min)• 2pm - Client call with Acme Corp (1 hour)• 4pm - 1:1 with Sarah (30 min)Want me to prepare anything for these meetings?You: Yeah, summarize recent emails from Acme CorpOpenClaw: Here's what's happening with Acme Corp:[Summary of 5 recent emails...]You: 👍

No special syntax, no commands to memorize. Just natural conversation like texting a knowledgeable friend.

6. Media Sharing and Analysis

Share photos, documents, and files directly in chat:

• Photo analysis: "What's in this screenshot?" "Explain this diagram" "What's this plant called?"
• Document processing: "Summarize this PDF" "Extract key points from this contract"
• Receipt scanning: "How much was this receipt?" "Add this to my expense tracker"
• Code sharing: "Review this code snippet" "What's wrong with this error message?"
• Whiteboard photos: "Convert this whiteboard sketch to tasks"
• Business cards: "Save this contact info"

iMessage supports photos, videos, PDFs, and more - all analyzed instantly by your assistant.

7. Location-Based Assistance

iMessage can access your location (with permission):

• Context-aware: "Find coffee shops near me" "What's the weather like here?"
• Travel assistance: "I'm at JFK airport, what's the fastest way to Manhattan?"
• Local recommendations: "Good restaurants for dinner around here?"
• Time zone aware: Assistant knows your current time zone for scheduling
• Geofencing triggers: Automatic reminders when arriving/leaving locations

8. Contact Integration

Leverages your existing iPhone contacts:

• Name recognition: "Email Sarah" - assistant knows which Sarah from your contacts
• Contact lookup: "What's Tom's phone number?" "When's Mom's birthday?"
• Relationship context: Assistant understands your contact relationships
• Group messages: Add assistant to group chats for team coordination
• Contact suggestions: "Who should I invite to the product meeting?"

Real-World Use Cases

1. Commuter's AI Companion

Scenario: You commute 45 minutes each way on public transit. During this time, you want to stay productive but can't use a laptop. Your iPhone is your primary device during commute hours.

How OpenClaw helps:

Text your assistant from the train/bus:

• Morning briefing: "What's on my agenda today?" → Calendar summary, weather, news
• Email triage: "Show me urgent emails" → Assistant surfaces what needs immediate attention
• Task planning: "What should I focus on today?" → Prioritized task list based on deadlines
• Voice capture: Record voice note explaining a complex idea → Transcribed and organized
• Research: "Explain quantum computing in simple terms" → Learn something new
• Meeting prep: "Summarize the Smith project for my 10am meeting" → Context refresh

Impact:

• Commute time transforms from wasted to productive
• Start work day already briefed and prepared
• Capture fleeting ideas before they're forgotten
• Zero laptop needed - iPhone is enough
• Voice input means hands-free operation

2. Voice Notes to Organized Tasks

Scenario: You're a visual thinker who processes information by talking through it. Typing feels slow and tedious. You want to brain-dump ideas verbally and have them organized automatically.

How OpenClaw helps:

iMessage voice messages become structured data:

• Voice brain dump: Record 2-minute voice note with scattered thoughts about a project
• Auto-transcription: Whisper converts speech to text with 95%+ accuracy
• Intelligent parsing: Assistant extracts tasks, deadlines, people, and priorities
• Structured output: Returns organized task list with due dates and assignments
• Calendar integration: "Create calendar events for these milestones" → Done automatically
• Follow-up questions: Assistant asks clarifying questions via text

Example workflow:

1. Record voice note: "Okay so for the product launch we need to finalize the pricing by next Tuesday, Sarah needs to review the marketing copy, we should probably do a dress rehearsal on Thursday, oh and I need to email the PR team about the press release by end of week"
2. Assistant transcribes and responds:

Got it! Here's what I captured:Tasks:☐ Finalize pricing (Due: Tuesday, Feb 13)☐ Sarah reviews marketing copy (Assigned: Sarah)☐ Schedule dress rehearsal (Thursday, Feb 15)☐ Email PR team about press release (Due: Friday, Feb 16)Should I add these to your task list and send a reminder to Sarah?

1. You reply: "Yes, do it"
2. Done - no typing needed beyond a 2-word confirmation

Impact:

• Capture complex projects in the time it takes to speak them
• Zero typing fatigue
• Ideas never lost because "I'll write it down later"
• Structured output from unstructured thoughts
• Perfect for ADHD or dyslexic users who struggle with writing

3. Family Coordination Hub

Scenario: You manage household logistics for a family of 4. Coordinating schedules, shopping lists, school events, and appointments is chaotic. You need a central assistant that everyone can access.

How OpenClaw helps:

Create a shared family assistant:

• Shared shopping list: "Add milk to shopping list" → Syncs for whoever goes to store
• Calendar coordination: "When is Emma's soccer practice?" → Pulls from family calendar
• Appointment booking: "Schedule dentist for kids next week" → Finds available slots
• Homework help: Kids can ask "How do you solve quadratic equations?" → Educational support
• Recipe suggestions: "What can I make with chicken and broccoli?" → Dinner ideas
• Allowance tracking: "Did I get my allowance this week?" → Financial transparency for kids
• Chore reminders: "Remind Tommy to take out trash on Tuesdays" → Automated nagging

Impact:

• Single source of truth for family logistics
• Kids learn to use AI responsibly in safe environment
• Reduces "Where's the...?" and "When is...?" questions
• Shopping lists never forgotten
• Calendar conflicts caught automatically

4. Quick Questions Without Context Switching

Scenario: You're a software engineer deep in flow state. You need quick answers to technical questions but don't want to break focus by opening browser, searching Stack Overflow, reading docs, etc.

How OpenClaw helps:

Phone stays nearby for instant questions:

• Code syntax: "What's the Python syntax for list comprehension?" → Instant answer
• Error debugging: "Why does 'undefined is not a function' happen in JavaScript?" → Explanation
• API docs: "How do I authenticate with the Stripe API?" → Code example
• Git commands: "How do I undo last commit?" → Exact command with explanation
• Terminal help: "What does chmod 755 mean?" → Permission breakdown
• Regex: "Regex to validate email addresses" → Pattern with examples

All without leaving your IDE or breaking focus. Grab phone, text question, get answer, back to work - 30 seconds total.

Impact:

• Flow state preserved (no browser rabbit holes)
• Answers in seconds vs minutes of searching
• Phone is faster than switching windows on Mac
• Perfect for junior engineers learning
• Searchable history of all questions asked

5. Privacy-Focused Alternative to WhatsApp/Telegram

Scenario: You're privacy-conscious and distrust Meta/Facebook. WhatsApp's privacy policy changes and Telegram's centralized architecture concern you. You want AI assistance without sacrificing privacy.

How OpenClaw helps:

iMessage's end-to-end encryption means your data stays private:

• No data harvesting: Unlike WhatsApp (owned by Meta), Apple doesn't monetize your messages
• E2E encryption: Only you and your assistant can read messages
• On-device processing: Sensitive queries processed locally when possible
• No phone number sharing: Assistant doesn't need access to your contact list
• Privacy Nutrition Labels: iOS shows exactly what data apps access
• Optional iCloud: Choose whether to sync to cloud or keep device-only

Use cases that require privacy:

• Medical questions: "Symptoms of diabetes?" "Side effects of this medication?"
• Financial: "How should I invest $10K?" "Is this stock a good buy?"
• Legal: "What are my rights in a lease dispute?" "How to file small claims?"
• Personal: Relationship advice, mental health support, sensitive topics

Impact:

• AI assistance without privacy trade-offs
• Sleep better knowing Apple protects your data
• No ads based on your conversations (unlike WhatsApp)
• Compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and privacy laws
• Trust in platform with proven privacy track record

6. Apple Ecosystem Power Users

Scenario: You're all-in on Apple. iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod - you live in the ecosystem. You want your AI assistant to leverage this integration.

How OpenClaw helps:

Deep Apple ecosystem integration:

• Continuity: Start task on iPhone during commute, finish on Mac at desk
• Handoff: Seamless transition between devices mid-conversation
• Universal Clipboard: Copy on iPhone, paste on Mac
• Siri shortcuts: "Hey Siri, ask my assistant for today's tasks"
• Apple Watch: Dictate messages to assistant from your wrist
• CarPlay: Voice queries while driving (hands-free)
• Focus modes: Work Focus silences assistant, Personal Focus allows it
• Screen Time: Track how much you use AI assistant
• Family Sharing: Share assistant access with family members

Workflow example:

1. Morning: Ask assistant about calendar from Apple Watch while getting ready
2. Commute: Voice note from iPhone in car via CarPlay
3. Office: Continue conversation on Mac, copy code snippets to clipboard
4. Lunch: Quick question from iPad while reading
5. Evening: Home automation via HomePod ("Ask my assistant to turn off lights")

Impact:

• True multi-device AI assistant that follows you everywhere
• Leverage your Apple hardware investment fully
• Context preserved across all devices
• Native feel - doesn't fight against Apple's design
• Privacy benefits of staying in Apple ecosystem

7. Solo Founders and Freelancers

Scenario: You're a solo founder building a startup. You wear every hat - product, engineering, sales, support, marketing. You're overwhelmed and need a force multiplier.

How OpenClaw helps:

Your AI assistant becomes your virtual team:

• Morning standup: "What should I focus on today?" → Prioritized task list
• Email management: "Draft response to investor inquiry" → Professional email template
• Customer support: "Customer says feature X is broken" → Debugging steps
• Content creation: "Write a tweet about our new feature" → Social media copy
• Market research: "Who are competitors in [space]?" → Competitive analysis
• Financial tracking: "Log $1,200 revenue from Client ABC" → Bookkeeping
• Learning: "Explain how to do SEO" → Educational content
• Decision making: "Should I prioritize feature A or feature B?" → Framework for deciding

All from your phone, accessible anywhere, anytime.

Impact:

• 10-person team productivity from 1 person
• Loneliness of solo founding reduced (always someone to talk to)
• Knowledge gaps filled instantly
• Faster iteration and decision-making
• Affordable compared to hiring

8. Students and Lifelong Learners

Scenario: You're a student or professional constantly learning new things. You have questions throughout the day - in class, while reading, during projects.

How OpenClaw helps:

Personal tutor in your pocket:

• Homework help: "Explain photosynthesis" "Solve this calculus problem step-by-step"
• Concept clarification: "What's the difference between RAM and ROM?"
• Study guides: "Create a study guide for the Civil War"
• Practice problems: "Generate 5 practice problems on linear algebra"
• Language learning: "How do you say 'thank you' in Japanese?" "Correct my Spanish grammar"
• Research assistance: "Summarize this academic paper" "Find sources on climate change"
• Writing feedback: "Review my essay introduction" "Make this sound more professional"
• Test prep: "Quiz me on biology terms" "Explain this LSAT logic game"

Impact:

• 24/7 tutor for fraction of the cost
• Learn at your own pace without judgment
• Immediate feedback accelerates learning
• Accessible during late-night study sessions
• Levels playing field for students without expensive tutoring

Features Deep Dive

Text Message Support

Standard SMS/iMessage texting:

• Send and receive text messages
• Supports emoji, reactions, mentions
• Read receipts (if enabled)
• Typing indicators
• Message effects (lasers, confetti, etc.)
• Inline replies to specific messages
• Message editing (iOS 16+)
• Message unsending (within 2 minutes)

Voice Message Transcription

Powerful voice-to-text:

• Automatic transcription via Whisper AI
• 95%+ accuracy in English
• Supports 50+ languages
• Speaker diarization (identifies multiple speakers)
• Punctuation and capitalization
• Timestamp markers
• Searchable transcripts
• Downloadable text files

Photo and Media Analysis

AI vision for images:

• Photo description: What's in this image?
• Text extraction (OCR): Pull text from screenshots, documents, signs
• Object identification: What breed is this dog? What flower is this?
• Scene understanding: Describe this room, analyze this graph
• Code reading: Extract code from photos of screens
• Handwriting recognition: Convert handwritten notes to text
• Receipt parsing: Extract total, date, vendor from receipts
• Diagram explanation: Understand flowcharts, architecture diagrams, etc.

Document Processing

Handle files sent via iMessage:

• PDFs: Summarize contracts, extract key points, answer questions about content
• Word/Pages: Read and edit documents
• Excel/Numbers: Analyze spreadsheet data
• Code files: Review code, find bugs, suggest improvements
• Text files: Process logs, configs, any .txt files
• Archives: Extract and analyze .zip contents

Size limits: Up to 100MB per file via iMessage

Contact Integration

Leverages your iPhone contacts:

• Name recognition ("Call Sarah" - knows which Sarah)
• Contact lookup ("What's Tom's email?")
• Birthday reminders ("When's Mom's birthday?")
• Group coordination ("Create group chat with team")
• Contact suggestions based on context
• Privacy-respecting (only accesses contacts you reference)

Location Services

Location-aware assistance:

• Current location context ("Weather here?" "Coffee nearby?")
• Location sharing for recommendations
• Time zone detection
• Local business search
• Directions and navigation
• Geofencing triggers (optional)
• Privacy controls (you choose when to share location)

Calendar and Reminders

iOS Calendar and Reminders integration:

• View calendar events
• Create new events
• Set reminders
• Check availability
• Schedule meetings
• Reschedule conflicts
• Event summaries
• Recurring events

Siri Integration

Voice control via Siri:

• "Hey Siri, text OpenClaw 'what's my schedule?'"
• Hands-free operation
• CarPlay support while driving
• Apple Watch compatibility
• HomePod integration
• AirPods announce messages

iOS Shortcuts

Automation with Shortcuts app:

• Custom shortcuts for common queries
• Automation triggers (time, location, NFC)
• Widget support on home screen
• Share sheet integration
• Background execution
• Chained actions

Example shortcut: "Morning Routine"

1. Trigger: 7am weekdays
2. Action: Text assistant "What's my schedule and top priorities today?"
3. Action: Read response aloud via Siri
4. Action: Show on lock screen

Focus Mode Integration

Respects iOS Focus modes:

• Work Focus: Allow assistant notifications
• Personal Focus: Allow assistant
• Sleep Focus: Silent (no assistant notifications)
• Driving Focus: Voice-only via CarPlay
• Custom Focus: Configure per your preferences

iCloud Sync

Seamless sync across devices:

• Conversation history syncs via iCloud
• Start on iPhone, continue on iPad/Mac
• Shared context across devices
• Backup and restore
• End-to-end encrypted sync
• Opt-in (can disable for privacy)

Group Message Support

Add assistant to group chats:

• Team coordination in group iMessages
• @ mention assistant in groups
• Responds only when mentioned
• Shared context with group
• Useful for family, work teams, study groups

Rich Formatting

iMessage-native formatting:

• Bold, italic, strikethrough text
• Code blocks with monospace font
• Bulleted and numbered lists
• Links (automatically detected and clickable)
• Emoji and reactions
• Message effects (send with emphasis, gentle, etc.)

Security Features

• End-to-end encryption (iMessage protocol)
• Two-factor authentication (Apple ID)
• Biometric authentication (Face ID/Touch ID)
• Encrypted iCloud backup
• No message content stored on Apple servers
• Privacy Nutrition Labels (iOS transparency)
• On-device processing when possible
• GDPR, CCPA compliant

Setup Option 1: HeraClaw Cloud (Recommended)

Time required: 60 seconds Technical skill: None Mac required: No - we provide Mac infrastructure Cost: Included in HeraClaw Cloud subscription Best for: 99% of users, all types

Why HeraClaw Cloud?

• No Mac needed - We provide Mac servers in the cloud, you don't need to own one
• No Messages.app configuration required
• No AppleScript or automation setup
• No Mac to keep running 24/7
• No macOS updates to manage
• Professional support included
• Automatic updates and security patches
• 99.9% uptime SLA
• Enterprise-grade security
• Works from iPhone, iPad, or any iMessage-capable device

This is the key difference: With self-hosting, you MUST have a Mac running 24/7. With HeraClaw Cloud, we provide the Mac infrastructure - you just connect your Apple ID.

Steps:

1. Sign up for HeraClaw Cloud

• Visit cloud.getopenclaw.ai
• Click "Sign In" (no credit card required)
• Create your account (takes 60 seconds)

2. Navigate to Integrations

• Click "Integrations" in the left sidebar
• Find "iMessage" in the list
• Click "Connect iMessage"

3. Apple ID Authentication

• Apple OAuth screen appears
• Enter your Apple ID credentials
• Approve two-factor authentication code
• Grant HeraClaw permission to send/receive iMessages on your behalf

4. Verify Phone Number

• You'll receive a verification text from Apple
• Enter the 6-digit code
• This confirms you own the phone number

5. Choose Settings (Optional)

• Back in HeraClaw dashboard
• Configure preferences:
  • Voice transcription (on/off)
  • Photo analysis (on/off)
  • Location services (on/off)
  • Response style (concise/detailed)
• Save configuration

6. Add to Contacts

• HeraClaw provides a phone number for your assistant
• Save as contact: "OpenClaw Assistant" or your preferred name
• Add to favorites for quick access

7. Test It

• Open Messages app on iPhone
• Start new message to your assistant
• Type: "Hello! What can you do?"
• You should get response within 2-3 seconds

8. Enable Voice Messages (Optional)

• In Settings → Messages → enable voice messages
• Record test voice note to assistant
• Check that it's transcribed and understood

That's it! You're up and running.

What You Get with HeraClaw Cloud:

✅ Instant Setup - No Mac required, no technical configuration ✅ Mac Infrastructure Included - We handle the macOS servers, you just use iMessage ✅ Automatic Updates - We manage macOS updates, Messages.app changes, security patches ✅ Professional Support - Email, chat, and phone support if anything breaks ✅ 99.9% Uptime - SLA-backed reliability, your assistant is always available ✅ Enterprise Security - SOC 2, GDPR compliant, end-to-end encryption preserved ✅ Multi-Device - Works on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch ✅ Advanced Features - Voice transcription, photo analysis, shortcuts integration ✅ No Maintenance - We manage servers, scaling, monitoring - you just text

Pricing: See cloud.getopenclaw.ai/pricing (starts with affordable individual plans)

Get Started: Start with HeraClaw Cloud →

Setup Option 2: Self-Hosted (Advanced)

Time required: 1-2 hours (first time), 30-45 minutes (if experienced) Technical skill: Advanced (macOS automation, AppleScript, terminal) Mac required: Yes - MUST be macOS (cannot self-host on Windows/Linux) Cost: Mac hardware ($500-2000) + electricity + your time Best for: Technical users with Mac who want full control

CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: You MUST have a Mac computer to self-host iMessage integration.

iMessage only works on Apple devices. You cannot self-host this on Windows, Linux, or VPS. You need:

• MacBook Air/Pro, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, or iMac
• macOS 13.0 Ventura or newer (macOS 14 Sonoma recommended)
• Signed into iCloud with Apple ID
• Messages.app configured and working
• Mac must run 24/7 for assistant to receive messages

Who should self-host?

✅ Technical users already owning a Mac ✅ Developers comfortable with macOS automation ✅ Users with strict data privacy requirements (messages never leave your Mac) ✅ Tinkerers who enjoy AppleScript and automation ✅ Users willing to keep Mac running 24/7

Who should NOT self-host?

❌ Anyone without a Mac (Windows/Linux users) ❌ Mac laptop users who travel frequently (can't keep Mac on 24/7) ❌ Non-technical users uncomfortable with terminal commands ❌ Anyone who values convenience over control ❌ Users without reliable home internet/power

Prerequisites:

• Mac computer (any model from 2018 or newer)
• macOS 13.0+ (Ventura or Sonoma)
• OpenClaw installed and running on the same Mac
• Apple ID signed into iMessage
• Messages.app working (can send/receive iMessages)
• Terminal access and basic command line knowledge
• Understanding of macOS automation
• Optional but recommended: Dedicated Mac Mini for 24/7 operation

Detailed Self-Hosted Setup

Step 1: Verify iMessage is Working

Before configuring OpenClaw, ensure iMessage works:

1. Open Messages.app
2. Sign in with your Apple ID (if not already)
3. Go to Messages → Settings → iMessage
4. Verify "Enable this account" is checked
5. Check that "Send & Receive" shows your phone number and email
6. Send test message to yourself from iPhone
7. Verify it appears in Messages.app on Mac

If iMessage doesn't work, fix this first before proceeding.

Step 2: Install OpenClaw

If you haven't already:

# Install via Homebrew (recommended for Mac)brew install openclaw# Or download from GitHub releasescurl -L https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/latest/download/openclaw-macos.zip -o openclaw.zipunzip openclaw.zipsudo mv openclaw /usr/local/bin/

Verify installation:

openclaw --version# Should show: openclaw v1.x.x

Step 3: Install imessage-bridge

OpenClaw needs a bridge to communicate with Messages.app. We use imessage-bridge, an open-source tool:

# Clone the imessage-bridge repogit clone https://github.com/openclaw/imessage-bridge.gitcd imessage-bridge# Install dependenciesnpm install# Build the bridgenpm run build# Install globallynpm install -g .

Verify:

imessage-bridge --version

Step 4: Grant Accessibility Permissions

The bridge needs permission to read Messages.app:

1. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
2. Click the lock icon and authenticate
3. Click "+" button
4. Navigate to /usr/local/bin/imessage-bridge (or wherever it's installed)
5. Add it and enable the checkbox
6. Also add Terminal.app if prompted

Without this, the bridge can't read incoming messages.

Step 5: Grant Full Disk Access (macOS 13+)

macOS Ventura and newer require Full Disk Access for Messages database:

1. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access
2. Click the lock icon and authenticate
3. Click "+" button
4. Add imessage-bridge and enable
5. Also add Terminal.app
6. Restart Mac for changes to take effect

Step 6: Configure OpenClaw

Edit your OpenClaw config file (~/.openclaw/config.yaml):

channels:  imessage:    enabled: true        # Path to imessage-bridge    bridgePath: "/usr/local/bin/imessage-bridge"        # Your Apple ID email (used for iMessage)    appleId: "your.email@icloud.com"        # Optional: Your phone number (for SMS fallback)    phoneNumber: "+1234567890"        # Voice message transcription    voiceTranscription:      enabled: true      model: "whisper-large-v3"  # or whisper-base for faster/less accurate      language: "en"  # auto-detect or specify        # Photo analysis    photoAnalysis:      enabled: true      model: "gpt-4-vision"  # or claude-3-opus        # Response settings    responseStyle: "conversational"  # or "concise" or "detailed"        # Optional: Only respond to specific contacts    allowedContacts:      - "+1234567890"  # Your iPhone number      - "friend@icloud.com"  # Specific contacts        # Optional: Never respond to these contacts    blockedContacts:      - "+1-800-SPAM-CALL"        # Optional: Typing indicators (show "..." while thinking)    typingIndicators: true        # Optional: Read receipts    readReceipts: true

Step 7: Start the iMessage Bridge

The bridge must run continuously:

# Start in foreground (for testing)imessage-bridge start# You should see:# ✓ Connected to Messages.app# ✓ Monitoring for new messages# ✓ Listening on port 8775

If you see errors:

• "Permission denied" → Check Accessibility permissions (Step 4)
• "Database locked" → Quit Messages.app and try again
• "Apple ID not signed in" → Sign into iMessage in Messages.app

Step 8: Start OpenClaw

In a separate terminal window:

# Start OpenClaw gatewayopenclaw gateway start# Check logsopenclaw gateway logs --follow

What to look for in logs:

✓ iMessage channel initialized✓ Connected to imessage-bridge on port 8775✓ Monitoring Apple ID: your.email@icloud.com✓ Voice transcription: enabled (whisper-large-v3)✓ Photo analysis: enabled (gpt-4-vision)✓ Ready to receive iMessages

Step 9: Test the Integration

1. From your iPhone, send yourself a test iMessage:

   bashCopy

   To: your.email@icloud.com (your Apple ID)Message: "Hello, are you there?"

2. Watch the OpenClaw logs - you should see:

   bashCopy

   [iMessage] Received message from +1234567890: "Hello, are you there?"[OpenClaw] Processing query...[iMessage] Sending response: "Hello! Yes, I'm here and ready to help..."

3. Check your iPhone - you should receive the response

4. Try a voice note:

   • Record voice message: "What's the weather like today?"
   • Should see transcription in logs
   • Should receive weather response

5. Try a photo:

   • Send photo of something
   • Ask: "What's in this image?"
   • Should receive analysis

If it doesn't work, check the troubleshooting section below.

Step 10: Run as Background Service

Once working, configure to start automatically:

# Create launchd plist for imessage-bridgesudo tee /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.openclaw.imessage-bridge.plist > /dev/null <<EOF<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"><plist version="1.0"><dict>    <key>Label</key>    <string>com.openclaw.imessage-bridge</string>    <key>ProgramArguments</key>    <array>        <string>/usr/local/bin/imessage-bridge</string>        <string>start</string>    </array>    <key>RunAtLoad</key>    <true/>    <key>KeepAlive</key>    <true/>    <key>StandardOutPath</key>    <string>/var/log/imessage-bridge.log</string>    <key>StandardErrorPath</key>    <string>/var/log/imessage-bridge-error.log</string></dict></plist>EOF# Load and start the servicesudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.openclaw.imessage-bridge.plistsudo launchctl start com.openclaw.imessage-bridge

Do the same for OpenClaw:

# Create launchd plist for OpenClawsudo tee /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.openclaw.gateway.plist > /dev/null <<EOF<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"><plist version="1.0"><dict>    <key>Label</key>    <string>com.openclaw.gateway</string>    <key>ProgramArguments</key>    <array>        <string>/usr/local/bin/openclaw</string>        <string>gateway</string>        <string>start</string>    </array>    <key>RunAtLoad</key>    <true/>    <key>KeepAlive</key>    <true/>    <key>StandardOutPath</key>    <string>/var/log/openclaw-gateway.log</string>    <key>StandardErrorPath</key>    <string>/var/log/openclaw-gateway-error.log</string></dict></plist>EOF# Load and startsudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.openclaw.gateway.plistsudo launchctl start com.openclaw.gateway

Now both services start automatically when Mac boots.

Verify services are running:

sudo launchctl list | grep openclaw# Should show both services with PID numbers

Advanced Self-Hosted Configuration

Voice Transcription Quality vs Speed

Whisper models trade-off accuracy for speed:

channels:  imessage:    voiceTranscription:      # Fast but less accurate (good for quick notes)      model: "whisper-base"  # ~1s processing, 85% accuracy            # Medium (balanced)      model: "whisper-medium"  # ~3s processing, 92% accuracy            # Slow but very accurate (best for important content)      model: "whisper-large-v3"  # ~8s processing, 96% accuracy            # Language-specific (faster than auto-detect)      language: "en"  # or "es", "fr", "de", etc.            # Multi-speaker detection      diarization: true  # Identify who said what in group voice notes

Photo Analysis Models

Different vision models for different needs:

channels:  imessage:    photoAnalysis:      # Fast, good for simple photos      model: "gpt-4-vision"  # ~2s, good general vision            # Best quality, slower      model: "claude-3-opus"  # ~4s, excellent detail and accuracy            # Fast, decent quality      model: "claude-3-sonnet"  # ~1s, good balance            # Only analyze photos when asked (not automatic)      autoAnalyze: false  # User must explicitly ask            # Max image size (to control costs)      maxImageSize: "4096x4096"

Response Customization

Tailor how assistant responds:

channels:  imessage:    responseStyle: "conversational"  # Friendly, natural        # Or custom:    systemPrompt: |      You are a helpful assistant communicating via iMessage.      Keep responses concise (2-3 sentences max) unless asked for detail.      Use emoji sparingly. Be friendly but professional.      If asked about topics outside your knowledge, admit it.        # Response length    maxResponseLength: 500  # chars (iMessage limit is ~20,000 but shorter is better)        # Split long responses into multiple messages?    splitLongMessages: true        # Use emoji in responses?    useEmoji: true        # Show thinking process or just answer?    showThinking: false

Contact-Based Personalization

Different behavior for different contacts:

channels:  imessage:    contactConfigs:      # Personal iPhone - casual and helpful      "+1234567890":        responseStyle: "friendly"        useEmoji: true        capabilities:          - "calendar"          - "reminders"          - "email"          - "general_knowledge"            # Work contact - professional      "boss@company.com":        responseStyle: "professional"        useEmoji: false        capabilities:          - "general_knowledge"          # No personal calendar access            # Kids - educational      "kid@family.com":        responseStyle: "educational"        useEmoji: true        safeSearch: true  # Content filtering        capabilities:          - "homework_help"          - "general_knowledge"

Rate Limiting

Protect against abuse or runaway costs:

channels:  imessage:    rateLimit:      # Per contact limits      perContact:        messages: 50  # max messages per contact        window: 3600  # per hour            # Voice transcription limits (costs $$$)      voiceMessages:        max: 20        window: 3600        maxDuration: 300  # seconds (5 min)            # Photo analysis limits      photoAnalysis:        max: 30        window: 3600

Group Message Handling

Configure behavior in group chats:

channels:  imessage:    groupMessages:      # Respond in groups?      enabled: true            # Only when mentioned by name?      requireMention: true  # User must include "OpenClaw" or "assistant"            # Allowed group IDs (get from Messages.app)      allowedGroups:        - "group-uuid-123"        - "family-group-456"            # Different response style in groups      responseStyle: "concise"  # Don't dominate conversation

Shortcuts and Automation Integration

Custom triggers and automations:

channels:  imessage:    shortcuts:      # Morning briefing at 7am      - name: "morning_briefing"        trigger: "daily"        time: "07:00"        message: "Good morning! What's on my schedule today?"        sendTo: "your.email@icloud.com"            # Weekly review on Sundays      - name: "weekly_review"        trigger: "weekly"        day: "sunday"        time: "18:00"        message: "Summarize my week and plan priorities for next week"            # Location-based (requires location access)      - name: "arrive_office"        trigger: "location"        location: "Work"        event: "arrive"        message: "I arrived at the office. What should I focus on today?"

Troubleshooting Self-Hosted Setup

Bridge Won't Connect to Messages.app

Symptoms: imessage-bridge errors with "Cannot access Messages database"

Potential causes:

1. Accessibility permissions not granted
2. Full Disk Access not granted (macOS 13+)
3. Messages.app is not signed into iMessage
4. Messages database is locked

Fix:

# Check permissionsls -la ~/Library/Messages/chat.db# Should be readable# Check Messages.app is signed inopen -a Messages# Verify you're signed into iMessage# Kill Messages.app if database is lockedkillall Messages# Restart bridgeimessage-bridge restart# Check logstail -f /var/log/imessage-bridge.log

Messages Received but OpenClaw Doesn't Respond

Symptoms: Bridge logs show incoming messages, but no response sent

Potential causes:

1. OpenClaw not running
2. OpenClaw can't connect to bridge
3. Contact not in allowedContacts list
4. Messages filtered out by config

Fix:

# Check OpenClaw is runningps aux | grep openclaw# Check OpenClaw logsopenclaw gateway logs --tail 50# Test bridge connectioncurl http://localhost:8775/health# Should return: {"status": "healthy"}# Check configcat ~/.openclaw/config.yaml | grep -A 20 imessage# Verify allowedContacts includes the sender

Voice Messages Not Transcribed

Symptoms: Voice notes received but not transcribed

Potential causes:

1. Whisper not installed
2. Audio file format not supported
3. Voice transcription disabled in config
4. Audio file too large

Fix:

# Install Whisper if missingpip3 install openai-whisper# Verify installationwhisper --help# Check OpenClaw configcat ~/.openclaw/config.yaml | grep -A 5 voiceTranscription# Ensure enabled: true# Test Whisper directlywhisper /path/to/voice/message.m4a --model base# Should output transcription# Check logs for errorsopenclaw gateway logs | grep -i whisper

Photos Not Analyzed

Symptoms: Photos sent but assistant doesn't acknowledge them

Potential causes:

1. Photo analysis disabled
2. Vision model API key missing
3. Image file too large
4. Image format not supported

Fix:

# Check configcat ~/.openclaw/config.yaml | grep -A 5 photoAnalysis# Ensure enabled: true# Check API keys are setenv | grep -E 'OPENAI_API_KEY|ANTHROPIC_API_KEY'# Should show your API keys# Test vision model directlyopenclaw test vision /path/to/image.jpg# Should return description

Mac Goes to Sleep and Messages Stop

Symptoms: Works fine, then stops after Mac sleeps

Potential causes:

1. Mac sleep settings putting disk to sleep
2. Network disconnects during sleep
3. Services not restarting after wake

Fix:

# Prevent Mac from sleepingsudo pmset -a disablesleep 1# Or keep display off but system awakesudo pmset -a displaysleep 10 sleep 0# Enable "Wake for network access"sudo pmset -a womp 1# Verify settingspmset -g

For Mac Mini dedicated servers, consider:

• Never sleep
• Display sleep after 10 min (save energy)
• Wake on network access enabled

"Message Failed to Send" Errors

Symptoms: Bridge tries to send response but fails

Potential causes:

1. iMessage not activated on Mac
2. Phone number not verified
3. Network connectivity issues
4. Recipient blocked you

Fix:

1. Open Messages.app
2. Go to Messages → Settings → iMessage
3. Sign out and sign back in
4. Verify phone number and email in "Send & Receive"
5. Send test message manually to verify iMessage works
6. Check System Settings → Network → verify internet connection

High CPU Usage from imessage-bridge

Symptoms: Bridge consumes 50%+ CPU constantly

Potential causes:

1. Polling Messages database too frequently
2. Large message history causing slow queries
3. Memory leak in bridge

Fix:

# Reduce polling frequency in bridge configecho "pollInterval: 2000" >> ~/.imessage-bridge/config.yaml# Default is 500ms, increasing to 2s reduces CPU# Archive old messages in Messages.app# Messages → Settings → Keep Messages → 1 Year# Then delete old messages# Restart bridgesudo launchctl stop com.openclaw.imessage-bridgesudo launchctl start com.openclaw.imessage-bridge# Monitor CPUtop -pid $(pgrep imessage-bridge)

Messages Out of Order

Symptoms: Assistant responds to messages in wrong order

Potential causes:

1. Async processing issues
2. Bridge reading messages out of order from database
3. Multiple messages sent rapidly

Fix:

# In OpenClaw config, enable message queuingchannels:  imessage:    messageQueue:      enabled: true      processInOrder: true      batchDelay: 1000  # Wait 1s for more messages before processing

Two-Factor Authentication Issues

Symptoms: iMessage signs out periodically asking for 2FA

Potential causes:

1. Apple security check
2. IP address changes (dynamic IP)
3. Mac not trusted for Apple ID

Fix:

1. Sign into iCloud on Mac properly
2. Go to System Settings → Apple ID
3. Enable "Two-Factor Authentication"
4. Verify Mac is in "Devices" list for your Apple ID
5. Approve Mac as trusted device from iPhone
6. Static IP recommended for dedicated Mac Mini server

Security Best Practices for Self-Hosted

1. Protect Your Apple ID

# Use app-specific password instead of main Apple ID password# Go to appleid.apple.com → Security → App-Specific Passwords# Generate password specifically for this Mac# Enable 2FA (required for security)# appleid.apple.com → Security → Two-Factor Authentication# Don't share Apple ID credentials in config files# Config file should only have email, not password

2. Limit Contact Access

channels:  imessage:    # Whitelist only your contacts    allowedContacts:      - "+1234567890"  # Your iPhone      - "trusted@friend.com"        # Block unknown senders    blockUnknown: true        # Require verification for new contacts    verifyNewContacts: true

3. Enable Audit Logging

logging:  audit:    enabled: true    logFile: "/var/log/openclaw/imessage-audit.log"    includeMessages: false  # Don't log message content (privacy)    includeMetadata: true   # Log sender, timestamp, length    retention: 90  # days

4. Encrypt Backups

iMessage database contains sensitive data:

# Enable FileVault (full disk encryption)sudo fdesetup enable# Encrypt Time Machine backupssudo tmutil enable# Or use encrypted disk images for backupshdiutil create -size 100g -encryption AES-256 -fs APFS -volname "OpenClaw Backup" backup.dmg

5. Network Isolation

For dedicated Mac server:

# Firewall rules - only allow local networksudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --setglobalstate onsudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --setallowsigned off# Only allow specific IPs to access bridge# Edit /etc/pf.conf (advanced)block in allpass in on lo0pass in proto tcp from 192.168.1.0/24 to any port 8775

6. Regular macOS Updates

# Enable automatic security updatessudo softwareupdate --schedule on# Check for updates weeklysoftwareupdate --list# Install critical security updates promptlysudo softwareupdate --install --recommended

7. Monitor for Abuse

channels:  imessage:    monitoring:      # Alert on high message volume (potential spam)      alertOnHighVolume: true      threshold: 100  # messages per hour            # Alert on failed authentications      alertOnFailedAuth: true            # Send alerts via email      alertEmail: "you@example.com"

8. Principle of Least Privilege

Only enable features you need:

channels:  imessage:    # Disable voice transcription if not used (saves $$$)    voiceTranscription:      enabled: false        # Disable photo analysis if not needed    photoAnalysis:      enabled: false        # Disable location services    locationServices:      enabled: false

Comparison: HeraClaw Cloud vs Self-Hosted

Why 99% of users choose HeraClaw Cloud:

✅ No Mac needed - The biggest barrier to self-hosting is needing macOS hardware. We eliminate this completely. ✅ Time is valuable - 1-2 hour setup + ongoing maintenance (macOS updates, debugging) adds up ✅ Mac hardware is expensive - Mac Mini starts at $599, MacBook Air at $999. Avoid this upfront cost. ✅ 24/7 uptime is hard - Keeping a Mac running perfectly 24/7 requires monitoring, redundancy, UPS backup ✅ macOS updates break things - Major macOS updates often break automation. We test and fix this for you. ✅ API costs add up - Whisper transcription and vision API costs can exceed our subscription price ✅ Electricity costs - Mac Mini running 24/7 = $5-15/month in electricity ✅ Support is worth it - When iMessage breaks at 2am, you want someone to fix it ✅ Security is hard - Protecting your personal Apple ID from compromise takes expertise

When self-hosting makes sense:

✅ You already own a Mac that can run 24/7 (Mac Mini, old MacBook) ✅ You're a macOS power user comfortable with AppleScript and automation ✅ You have strict data privacy requirements (messages cannot leave your device) ✅ You enjoy tinkering and debugging ✅ You have reliable home internet with static IP ✅ You want to heavily customize the message processing logic ✅ You're willing to be on-call for your own infrastructure

Hidden costs of self-hosting:

• Mac hardware: $500-2000
• Electricity: $60-180/year
• Whisper API (voice): $0.006/minute = $36/year for 10min/day
• Vision API (photos): $0.01-0.04 per image = varies widely
• Your time: 1-2 hours setup + 1-2 hours/month maintenance = $200-500/year if valued at $50/hr
• Internet: Static IP may cost $10-20/month extra = $120-240/year
• UPS (uninterruptible power supply): $100-300 one-time
• Total year 1: $1000-3000 | Total year 2+: $200-500/year

HeraClaw Cloud cost: ~$20-50/month = $240-600/year with zero headaches.

For most users, Cloud makes financial sense even ignoring the convenience factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need an iPhone to use this?

A: You need an Apple device with iMessage - iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The assistant works across all of them via iCloud sync.

Q: Can I use this with my phone number or email?

A: Both! iMessage works with phone numbers (for iPhone) and Apple ID email addresses (for iPad/Mac). You can message the assistant using either.

Q: Does this work with SMS (Android users)?

A: No. iMessage is Apple-only. If your contact has Android, they send SMS (green bubbles) which have limited features. This integration is designed for iMessage (blue bubbles) only. For SMS support, see our Twilio integration.

Q: Will this drain my iPhone battery?

A: No more than normal texting. The assistant runs in the cloud (HeraClaw) or on your Mac (self-hosted), not on your iPhone. Your phone just sends/receives messages like usual.

Q: Is my conversation history private?

A: HeraClaw Cloud: Your messages are encrypted in transit and at rest, stored securely in compliance with GDPR/SOC 2. We don't sell or share your data. Self-hosted: Messages never leave your Mac - maximum privacy.

Q: Can other people see my messages with the assistant?

A: No. It's a private conversation just like texting a friend. Only you and the assistant can see the messages (unless you add assistant to a group chat, then group members see it).

Q: How fast are responses?

A: Typically 2-5 seconds from sending message to receiving response, depending on:

• Network latency (iPhone to server)
• Query complexity (simple Q&A vs multi-step reasoning)
• Model speed (GPT-4 vs Claude Sonnet vs local models)
• Voice transcription adds 1-3 seconds
• Photo analysis adds 2-4 seconds

Q: What's the longest voice message I can send?

A: iMessage supports up to 2 minutes by default (customizable in Settings). For longer recordings, use Voice Memos app and share the file via iMessage (up to 100MB).

Q: Can I use this with Apple Watch?

A: Yes! Text or dictate messages to your assistant from your wrist. You'll receive responses as notifications. Great for hands-free operation.

Q: Does it work with CarPlay?

A: Yes. While driving, use Siri: "Hey Siri, text OpenClaw 'what's my next meeting?'" CarPlay will read the response aloud. Safe and hands-free.

Q: Can I add the assistant to group chats?

A: Yes! Create a group message with the assistant and other contacts. The assistant can respond in group threads. Useful for family coordination or team projects.

Q: Will it respond to every message in a group chat?

A: Configure it however you want. Options:

• Only when @mentioned by name
• Every message (can be chatty)
• Only when asked a question
• Never (group members can DM separately)

Q: What languages does voice transcription support?

A: Whisper supports 50+ languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and more. Auto-detection works well but specifying language is slightly faster/more accurate.

Q: Can it understand photos of handwritten notes?

A: Yes. OCR (optical character recognition) works on handwritten text, though print is more accurate. Try: "Convert this handwritten note to text" or "What does this say?"

Q: What about sensitive photos (medical, financial)?

A: HeraClaw Cloud: Images are processed securely and deleted after analysis. We never store image content. Self-hosted: Images never leave your Mac - processed entirely locally. For maximum privacy, self-host or don't send sensitive images.

Q: Can the assistant send me proactive messages?

A: Yes! Schedule reminders, daily briefings, alerts based on events (calendar, email, system monitoring, etc.). Example: "Text me every morning at 7am with my day's schedule."

Q: Does it work if my iPhone is offline?

A: Messages queue locally on iPhone and send when reconnected. The assistant won't see your message until it's delivered, then responds normally.

Q: Can I use multiple assistants (work and personal)?

A: Yes. Create separate HeraClaw accounts or OpenClaw instances with different phone numbers/emails. Message the appropriate one for work vs personal tasks.

Q: What about Focus modes (Do Not Disturb)?

A: The assistant respects your Focus settings. If you allow messages from the assistant during Work Focus but not Sleep Focus, that's what happens. Configure in Settings → Focus.

Q: Can I use Shortcuts app to automate?

A: Absolutely! Create shortcuts like:

• "Morning Routine" → Texts assistant for daily briefing
• "New Task" → Prompts for task description, sends to assistant
• "Quick Question" → Voice input, sends as message
• Location-based triggers when arriving at work/home

Q: How do I delete my conversation history?

A: HeraClaw Cloud: Go to dashboard → Settings → Delete History. Self-hosted: Delete messages in Messages.app like any conversation. Both: This deletes messages from OpenClaw's memory too.

Q: What if I get a new iPhone?

A: Set up new iPhone, sign into iCloud, enable iMessage. Your conversation history syncs automatically via iCloud. Continue chatting from where you left off.

Q: Does this work on iPad and Mac too?

A: Yes! Same assistant, same conversation history, synced via iCloud. Text from iPhone during commute, continue on iPad at home, finish on Mac at desk. Seamless.

Q: Can I migrate from self-hosted to Cloud?

A: Yes. Export your configuration and conversation history, import into HeraClaw Cloud, disconnect your Mac setup. Takes about 15 minutes. We'll help you migrate.

Q: What if Messages.app updates and breaks things?

A: HeraClaw Cloud: We test all macOS/Messages updates and fix issues before they affect you. Self-hosted: You must update imessage-bridge and OpenClaw manually. Check GitHub releases after macOS updates.

Q: Is there a message limit?

A: HeraClaw Cloud: Fair use policy - no hard limits for normal usage. Heavy usage (1000+ messages/day) may incur overage fees. Self-hosted: No limit, but you pay API costs for models.

Q: Can I use local AI models to save costs?

A: Self-hosted only: Yes! Configure OpenClaw to use local Llama, Mistral, or other models. Slower but free. HeraClaw Cloud: We optimize model routing for cost/quality.

Q: What about attachments besides photos?

A: Full support for:

• Photos/images (JPG, PNG, HEIC)
• PDFs (contracts, invoices, reports)
• Documents (Word, Pages, text files)
• Spreadsheets (Excel, Numbers, CSV)
• Code files (any programming language)
• Archives (ZIP, compressed files)
• Videos (future - not yet supported)

Q: How secure is HeraClaw Cloud compared to self-hosted?

A: HeraClaw Cloud: SOC 2 Type II certified, penetration tested, 24/7 security monitoring, encryption at rest and in transit, regular audits. Self-hosted: Security is your responsibility - you control everything but must implement best practices yourself.

Q: Can I use this for my business/company?

A: Yes! HeraClaw Cloud offers business plans with:

• Multiple users/seats
• Shared team assistants
• SSO (Single Sign-On)
• Admin controls
• Audit logs
• SLA guarantees
• Priority support

Contact sales@cloud.getopenclaw.ai for enterprise pricing.

Get Started

For 99% of users (recommended):

Start with HeraClaw Cloud →

• 60-second setup
• No Mac required (we provide infrastructure)
• No technical skills needed
• Professional support
• 99.9% uptime SLA
• No credit card required to start

For advanced Mac users only:

Self-Hosting Setup Guide →

• 1-2 hour setup
• Requires macOS computer running 24/7
• Requires advanced technical skills
• You maintain infrastructure
• Full control and customization
• Maximum privacy (data never leaves your Mac)

Questions? Email support@cloud.getopenclaw.ai or join our community Discord for help.

Last updated: April 10, 2026

Built with OpenClaw — The open-source AI assistant platform. Self-host or use HeraClaw Cloud.