Artificial intelligence startup Poke has become the first standalone AI agent approved to operate on Apple’s Messages for Business platform, allowing the service to interact with users directly through iMessage.
The approval expands Poke’s reach beyond SMS, Telegram, and WhatsApp, bringing its AI-powered assistant to Apple’s messaging ecosystem.
Originally designed for customer support and business interactions, Messages for Business enables companies to communicate with users through iMessage for services such as appointment scheduling, customer service, and automated assistance.
Founded earlier this year, Poke offers AI-powered assistance through text conversations, helping users manage tasks such as scheduling, productivity, health tracking, smart-home controls, and photo editing.
The company says it has already processed approximately 100 million messages since launch.
Poke’s approval arrives ahead of Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, where the company is expected to unveil new artificial intelligence features and updates to Siri.
Although the move does not open Apple’s App Store directly to AI agents, it signals growing interest in supporting AI-powered services through existing messaging infrastructure.
According to co-founder Marvin von Hagen, securing Apple’s approval required months of compliance reviews, including provisions for human support escalation, transparency requirements, and adherence to Apple’s interface guidelines.
Backed by investors including Spark Capital and General Catalyst, Poke recently raised an additional $10 million in funding, bringing its valuation to approximately $300 million.
