Poke Becomes First AI Agent Approved on Apple's Messages for Business Platform

Summary

Poke, a startup making AI agents as accessible as texting, has become the first AI agent approved to operate on Apple's Messages for Business platform. Previously restricted to official business communication channels, the platform has now opened to third-party AI agents, starting with Poke. This milestone represents a significant expansion of where users can access AI agents through everyday messaging.

Launched in March, Poke helps users with daily planning, calendar management, health and fitness tracking, smart home control, and photo editing entirely through text messages. The startup has already relayed over 100 million messages across SMS, Telegram, WhatsApp, and now iMessage. Apple's approval came after a multi-month process requiring Poke to verify live support capabilities, clearly identify itself as an AI agent, and customize its interface to meet Apple's strict design guidelines.

The partnership introduces a new business model where Poke pays Apple on a per-user basis—pricing significantly lower than competing platforms like WhatsApp, according to co-founder Marvin von Hagen. This fee structure creates a meaningful revenue stream for Apple while establishing a distribution cost that AI agent startups must factor into their business model. The approval arrives just days before Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, where the company is expected to announce expanded AI capabilities.

• The approval process took several months and required verification of live support, AI disclosure, and strict compliance with Apple's design standards