Apple has cleared third‑party AI service Poke for integration inside the native Messages app on iPhone, marking the first AI agent to appear directly in iMessage. The approval leverages the older Messages for Business framework, which let users chat with companies without leaving the messenger. Users can now invoke Poke by following the setup steps on its website and start chatting instantly today.

Poke’s presence in Messages enables conversational requests that trigger actions, from simple queries to third‑party integrations listed on the company’s announcement page. Early testers reported delayed replies, suggesting either server strain or teething problems after launch. Social‑media chatter reflects mixed experiences, but the novelty of an AI assistant inside iMessage could reshape how developers approach mobile chat interfaces as developers explore new monetization models.

If Poke stabilizes, the move signals Apple’s willingness to open iMessage to specialized AI services, a shift from its historically closed ecosystem. Competitors may follow, prompting a wave of niche assistants embedded in native messaging. For now, iPhone owners willing to experiment can add Poke via the Business workaround, but reliable performance remains uncertain and may influence future iOS updates.