imessage-rs

Overview

imessage-rs is an open-source (MIT) Rust project at github.com/jesec/imessage-rs, published on crates.io. It runs on a Mac and serves a REST API compatible with BlueBubbles, so tools built for BlueBubbles, such as OpenClaw's BlueBubbles channel, can connect to it. Plain text and attachment sends use AppleScript. Reactions, edits, typing, effects, formatting, group management and FaceTime use a Private API helper injected into Messages, FaceTime and Find My, which requires System Integrity Protection to be disabled. The project looks inactive: version 0.1.0 and the last commit are both from February 23, 2026.

Key features

• REST API for messages, chats, attachments, handles, iCloud, Find My and FaceTime
• Tapbacks with classic, emoji or sticker reactions, plus edits, unsends and inline replies
• Markdown converted to bold, italic, underline and strikethrough
• Group chats: create, rename, set an icon, add and remove members
• Typing indicators, read receipts and delivery updates
• iMessage and FaceTime availability checks, Focus status and Notify Anyway
• FaceTime links and call answering, and Find My device and friend locations
• Webhooks for 17 event types, set in a YAML config file

Pricing

Free, MIT-licensed software. You need a Mac on macOS 15 or later with Full Disk Access, SIP disabled for Private API features, and a Rust toolchain to build it.

How it compares to Linq

Linq is a hosted service with managed lines, HMAC-signed webhooks, SDKs and SOC 2 Type II reports. imessage-rs runs on your own Mac and Apple ID. Its API takes the password as a query parameter, and its webhooks are sent once, without retries or a signature. It can start and answer FaceTime calls, which Linq's API does not. Linq covers RCS and SMS fallback, polls and iMessage apps, which imessage-rs does not document.

Best for

Developers who want a BlueBubbles-style API from a compact Rust server and can dedicate a Mac with SIP disabled.

Sources

• github.com/jesec/imessage-rs
• github.com/jesec/imessage-rs/blob/main/crates/imessage-http/src/routes/message.rs
• github.com/jesec/imessage-rs/blob/main/crates/imessage-webhooks/src/service.rs
• crates.io/crates/imessage-rs
• github.com/jesec/imessage-rs/blob/main/LICENSE