Overview

Apple Messages for Business is Apple's official channel for customer conversations in the Messages app on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. Brands register through Apple Business Register and must work with an Apple-approved Messaging Service Provider (MSP). Apple reviews each experience before it goes live.

Key features

Entry points from your website, app, email, Apple Maps, Message Suggest on your business phone number, QR codes and Wallet passes
Apple Pay, list pickers, time pickers and quick replies
OAuth2 sign-in inside the conversation
iMessage apps
No business phone number. Customers are identified by an anonymous Opaque ID.
Messages encrypted in transit
Supports every language that iOS, iPadOS and macOS support

Pricing

Apple says it provides Apple Messages for Business for free, but MSPs may charge for their services. Cost depends on the MSP and the scope of the deployment.

How it compares to Linq

Apple Messages for Business is Apple's own program. Linq and other iMessage APIs send from phone numbers instead. Apple's channel has firm rules. Customers start the conversation. Proactive messages go only to customers who already messaged you, and only when they are in the customer's interest. A live agent escalation path is mandatory, and bots must connect through an MSP. Group chats with a business are not supported. Each business gets one commercial account. Linq supports group chats and sends from a phone number.