---
title: "Apple Opens iMessage to AI Startup Poke: How the New Partner Will Change the Game"
description: "🚀 Apple has allowed AI startup Poke into iMessage! Now users can chat with an AI assistant directly in the messenger — without installing apps. 💰 Apple will receive a commission for each user. #Apple #Poke #AI #iMessage"
date: 2026-06-05T09:16:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/apple-opens-imessage-to-ai-startup-poke-how-the-new-partner-will-change-the-game
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Apple Opens iMessage to AI Startup Poke: How the New Partner Will Change the Game

![Person using an iPhone to send messages in iMessage, showcasing the integration of AI startup Poke into Apple's ecosystem](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/05/apple-otkryla-imessage-dlya-ii-startapa-poke/apple-otkryla-imessage-dlya-ii-startapa-poke-1.webp)

In the world of mobile technology, an event has occurred that could revolutionize how users interact with artificial intelligence. The American startup Poke has successfully passed Apple's rigorous selection process and officially integrated its virtual assistant into iMessage — the company's flagship messaging app.

This move does more than just expand the app's functionality; it opens up a fundamentally new monetization channel for Apple, linked to the growing demand for AI services.

### Access to AI Without Extra Apps

The Poke project, created by the California-based company The Interaction Company of California, was launched in March of this year. Its main goal is to make artificial intelligence understandable and accessible to people without technical skills. Unlike complex systems like OpenClaw, Poke offers an intuitive interface: the user simply needs to send a regular text message, and the AI agent will begin helping with everyday tasks.

Until today, the service operated via standard SMS, Telegram, and in several countries — via WhatsApp. Now, iMessage has been officially added to this list, making Poke one of the first third-party AI agents to gain access to Apple's ecosystem at the level of native integration.

### A New Monetization Model for Apple

The key moment for developers and investors was the monetization mechanism. Co-founder of the startup Marvin von Hagen confirmed that Poke will pay Apple a fixed commission for each user who interacts with the AI through the platform. The exact amount is not disclosed, but according to von Hagen, it is significantly lower than Meta AI's rates, which recently raised prices for third-party AI agents in WhatsApp due to EU regulatory requirements.

If this model becomes widespread, Apple will gain a stable and scalable revenue source, while AI startups will have to factor these "taxes" into the cost of their services. This could change the economics of the entire AI assistant sector.

### Strict Selection and Rapid Growth

The verification and approval process by Apple took several months. To obtain permission for integration, the startup had to meet a number of strict conditions related to data security, interaction quality, and compliance with Apple standards. Only after this did Poke gain access to iMessage.

The project's success has already attracted investor attention. The company received an additional $10 million from funds such as Spark Capital, General Catalyst, and other angel investors — in addition to the $15 million raised last year. The market valuation of the small 10-person team has reached $300 million.

### First Steps in iMessage

Currently, Poke is beginning to send the first invitations to existing users who want to transfer their AI interaction experience to iMessage. This means that soon millions of people will be able to use an AI assistant directly in their familiar messenger without installing additional apps.

The integration of Poke into iMessage is not just a technical achievement but a signal that Apple is ready to cooperate with external AI developers, provided they meet high standards of quality and security. And if this model is scaled, we may see the emergence of an entire ecosystem of AI agents within iMessage — with new possibilities for users and new revenues for Apple.