llms.txt
# ZeroSettle
> ZeroSettle gives your business its own phone number on real iMessage, running on Apple hardware we operate for you in a server facility. Customers on iPhone see blue bubbles, your brand name and photo, typing indicators and tapbacks. Your code sends through a REST API (a bearer token) and receives every reply on a signed webhook within a couple of seconds, or a hosted AI agent answers for you. Pro is $49/month for one number with a 30-day money-back guarantee; Growth (several numbers working as one) is from $599/month; Enterprise is custom.
ZeroSettle also runs a mobile revenue platform (direct billing for iOS and Android apps), listed after the blog below.
## iMessage API
- [Home](https://zerosettle.io/): Send branded iMessages to your customers from your own iMessage number: plans, features and FAQ.
- [API docs](https://portal.zerosettle.io/docs): The full iMessage API reference: sending, attachments, webhooks, typing, limits, compliance, MCP.
- [API docs as Markdown](https://portal.zerosettle.io/docs.md): The same reference as one Markdown file, for agents.
- [Get a number](https://portal.zerosettle.io/imessage?start=1): Self-serve signup for Pro ($49/month, one number).
- [Blog](https://zerosettle.io/blog/): How the iMessage API works, 50 use cases, comparisons, and reliability.
- [iMessage API Terms](https://zerosettle.io/legal/imessage-terms/): Terms for the iMessage API.
## Blog: How it works
- [How ZeroSettle works: iMessage API explainers](https://zerosettle.io/blog/how-it-works/): Explainers on how ZeroSettle's iMessage API works: what customers see, sending and receiving from code, webhooks, the hosted AI agent, pricing and limits.
- [What is ZeroSettle? An iMessage API for business, explained](https://zerosettle.io/blog/what-is-zerosettle/): ZeroSettle gives your business a real phone number on iMessage that your code texts from via a REST API and signed webhooks. How it works, price, limits.
- [What is an iMessage API? How businesses send iMessages from code](https://zerosettle.io/blog/what-is-an-imessage-api/): An iMessage API lets your server send and receive iMessages from a real phone number. Apple has no public one; here's how providers work and what to check.
- [How to send an iMessage from code without a Mac](https://zerosettle.io/blog/send-imessage-without-a-mac/): Send an iMessage from Python, Node or any server without a Mac: one HTTPS POST to ZeroSettle's API with a bearer token. Code, replies, errors and limits.
- [What customers see when a business texts them on iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/what-customers-see-business-imessage/): Blue bubbles, your shared name and photo, typing and tapbacks, plus two surprises: untappable first links and iOS 26 unknown-sender screening. Explained.
- [Blue vs green bubbles: what they mean for business texting](https://zerosettle.io/blog/blue-vs-green-bubbles-business/): Blue means iMessage, green means SMS, MMS or RCS. Why most business texts are green, what a blue-bubble number adds, and the reach trade-off for Android.
- [How to receive iMessages with a webhook: events, signing and retries](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-webhooks-explained/): ZeroSettle POSTs every inbound iMessage to your webhook in about 1–2 s, signed with HMAC-SHA256. Events, signature code, retries, dedupe and testing.
- [How ZeroSettle's hosted AI agent answers iMessages, with no code](https://zerosettle.io/blog/hosted-imessage-ai-agent/): ZeroSettle's hosted AI agent (Beta) answers every text on your iMessage number from a business context you write. Settings, behavior, credits, trade-offs.
- [ZeroSettle pricing: plans, limits and how to get a number](https://zerosettle.io/blog/zerosettle-pricing/): ZeroSettle Pro is $49/month for one iMessage number; Growth is from $599/mo. What each plan includes, AI credits, refunds, and getting a number in 4 steps.
- [A business texted me on iMessage: is it legit, and how do I stop it?](https://zerosettle.io/blog/business-texted-me-imessage/): Got an iMessage from a company? How to tell if it's legitimate, why its links may not be tappable, and how to stop it: text STOP, block, or report spam.
- [What can an iMessage API send? Photos, voice messages, tapbacks and typing](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-api-photos-voice-tapbacks/): ZeroSettle's iMessage API sends text, photos up to 5 MB, voice messages up to 6 MB, tapbacks and typing, and receives photos and voice. Limits and code.
- [Why links in a first iMessage aren't tappable, and what to do about it](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-links-not-tappable/): iPhones show links from unknown senders as plain text until the person replies or saves the number. Why, how ZeroSettle flags it, and 2 patterns that work.
## Blog: Use cases
- [50 ways businesses use iMessage, with real workflows](https://zerosettle.io/blog/use-cases/): 50 ways businesses use iMessage with ZeroSettle, grouped by job: support, scheduling, retention, sales, AI agents, sign-in and operations, with the limits.
- [iMessage appointment reminders that clients confirm with a tapback](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-appointment-reminders/): Send appointment reminders as iMessages from your own number; clients confirm with a thumbs-up tapback that hits your webhook in 1–2 s. Setup and limits.
- [How to fill last-minute cancellations from a waitlist over iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-cancellation-waitlist/): Offer a cancelled slot to waitlisted clients one at a time over iMessage and book the first YES from your webhook. ZeroSettle workflow, limits and cost.
- [AI receptionist on iMessage: answer customer texts after hours](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-ai-receptionist/): ZeroSettle's hosted AI agent answers customer texts on your iMessage number around the clock from a business context you write. No code. Credits, handoffs.
- [How to ask for Google reviews over iMessage, without review gating](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-review-requests/): Ask how the visit went over iMessage, then send the Google review link once the customer replies so it's tappable. ZeroSettle workflow, policy, limits.
- [Technician on-the-way texts with a photo and ETA over iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-technician-on-the-way-texts/): Send the technician's photo and arrival time as one iMessage bubble from your business number, and pass replies to the tech. ZeroSettle setup and limits.
- [Text-a-photo quotes over iMessage for junk removal and the trades](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-photo-quotes/): Customers text a photo of the job to your iMessage number; you reply with a price range and booking link. ZeroSettle workflow, photo rules, limits, cost.
- [Tenant maintenance requests by iMessage, with photos](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-tenant-maintenance-requests/): Tenants text a photo of the problem to your iMessage number; your webhook opens the work order and confirms with a tapback. ZeroSettle workflow and limits.
- [Auto repair approvals over iMessage: photo of the part, then YES](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-auto-repair-approvals/): Text a photo of the worn part and the price from your shop's iMessage number, and log the customer's YES from the webhook. ZeroSettle workflow and limits.
- [iMessage for car dealership leads: lot photos and voice walkarounds](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-car-dealership-leads/): Answer dealership leads on iMessage with a link-free question, then lot photos and a voice walkaround. ZeroSettle workflow, new-contact limits and consent.
- [Restaurant waitlist by iMessage: text guests when the table is ready](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-restaurant-waitlist/): Guests scan a QR code to join your waitlist by iMessage and get a text when their table is ready. ZeroSettle setup for hosts, send limits and cost.
- [Hotel guest messaging over iMessage with an AI concierge](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-hotel-guest-messaging/): Guests text your hotel's iMessage number and a hosted AI concierge answers check-in, parking and Wi-Fi questions at any hour. ZeroSettle setup and limits.
- [An iMessage help line for event attendees, answered by AI](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-event-attendee-help-line/): Print one iMessage number on every badge; a hosted AI agent answers attendees from your agenda, map and Wi-Fi details. ZeroSettle setup, limits, credits.
- [Pet care updates over iMessage: photos, voice notes and pickup texts](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-pet-care-updates/): Vets, groomers and daycares send owners photo updates, voice discharge notes and pickup texts from one iMessage number. ZeroSettle workflow and limits.
- [Fitness studio intro-offer follow-up over iMessage: a welcome, a voice note, then the membership link](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-fitness-studio-follow-up/): Follow up intro-class visitors on iMessage: an instructor's voice note after class, the membership link once they reply. ZeroSettle limits and consent.
- [Coaching client check-ins over iMessage: photos, tapbacks and voice notes](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-coaching-client-check-ins/): Coaches run daily check-ins over iMessage: clients answer with a tapback, send meal photos and get voice notes back. ZeroSettle setup, limits, consent.
- [Tutoring parent updates over iMessage from your program's own number](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-tutoring-parent-updates/): Tutoring centers text parents recaps, worksheet photos and schedule changes from one program iMessage number, keeping tutors' numbers private.
- [Admissions follow-up over iMessage with a hosted AI agent](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-admissions-follow-up/): A hosted AI agent texts each prospective student who requests info and answers cost, financing and start-date questions on iMessage. ZeroSettle setup.
- [Text-to-apply hiring for hourly jobs over iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-text-to-apply-hiring/): Applicants text JOBS to your iMessage number; a hosted AI screener asks everyone the same questions and sends an interview link. ZeroSettle setup and rules.
- [How to fill open shifts by iMessage: offer one by one, first YES wins](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-shift-coverage/): When someone calls out, text staff one at a time from your business iMessage number and give the shift to the first YES. ZeroSettle workflow and limits.
- [Law firm intake by text: after-hours iMessage for new clients](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-law-firm-intake/): Prospective clients text your firm on iMessage after hours; a hosted AI agent asks intake questions or staff answer from the console. Setup and rules.
- [Insurance claim photos by iMessage for independent agencies](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-insurance-claim-photos/): Policyholders text damage photos to their agency's iMessage number; your webhook files them to the claim. ZeroSettle workflow, storm-day math and cost.
- [How clients text receipts to their bookkeeper over iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-bookkeeping-receipts/): With ZeroSettle, clients text receipt photos to your firm's iMessage number; your webhook runs OCR, confirms with a tapback, and you text only what's missing.
- [Real estate lead follow-up over iMessage from a business number](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-real-estate-leads/): Agents answer listing inquiries on iMessage within seconds from a business number, with photos and a voice walkthrough. ZeroSettle setup and limits.
- [Thank first-time donors with a voice message over iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-donor-thank-you/): Text each first-time donor a thank-you over iMessage, then, once they reply, a voice note from your executive director and an impact photo. Workflow, limits, consent.
- [A 'text me' iMessage line for creators, answered by AI in your voice](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-creator-text-line/): A 'text me' iMessage link in your bio, answered by a hosted AI agent in your voice that sends your checkout link. ZeroSettle setup, credits, trade-offs.
- [How Shopify brands answer 'where is my order?' over iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-order-status-support/): Customers text an order number to your iMessage number; your webhook checks Shopify and replies with tracking. ZeroSettle setup, code and limits.
- [Abandoned checkout follow-up over iMessage for opted-in shoppers](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-abandoned-cart-follow-up/): One link-free iMessage question to opted-in shoppers who left checkout, then the cart link if they reply. ZeroSettle workflow, limit math, TCPA rules.
- [Retail clienteling over iMessage from store numbers, not stylists' phones](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-retail-clienteling/): Stylists text new-arrival photos to top clients from the store's iMessage numbers, so history stays when staff leave. ZeroSettle setup, limits and consent.
- [Back-in-stock alerts over iMessage for sold-out sizes](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-back-in-stock-alerts/): Fans text NOTIFY with the size they want; when it's restocked you text each a photo and link. ZeroSettle workflow, send-time math for 300 alerts, consent.
- [Proof-of-delivery photos over iMessage for local delivery](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-delivery-photo-confirmation/): Text the buyer a captioned photo of the drop-off as one iMessage bubble from your business number. ZeroSettle workflow, photo quality, GPS, limits.
- [Text-to-buy over iMessage: answer a shopper's question, then send a payment link](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-text-to-buy/): Shoppers text a product question to your iMessage number and get a Stripe Payment Link in the thread, from ZeroSettle's hosted AI agent or your own model.
- [Let subscribers skip, swap or reorder by replying on iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-subscription-skip-reorder/): Before each renewal, ask subscribers 'keep, skip or swap?' on iMessage and act on the reply through your subscription API. ZeroSettle workflow and rules.
- [Recover paywall abandonment with an iMessage offer in seconds](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-paywall-abandonment/): When a user leaves your app's paywall, text a branded three-message offer that lands in seconds. ZeroSettle recipe, timing, App Store rule.
- [Trial-ending and renewal reminders over iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-trial-ending-reminders/): Text opted-in users before a trial ends or a plan renews, and map YES, PAUSE or CANCEL replies to your billing API. ZeroSettle workflow and consent.
- [Recover failed payments over iMessage: ask first, then send the link](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-failed-payment-recovery/): When a card is declined, text a link-free heads-up and send the billing-page link once the customer replies. ZeroSettle workflow for failed payments.
- [Let customers text the founder from your cancel flow, over iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-cancel-flow-save/): Add an optional 'Text the founder' step to your cancel flow that opens iMessage with a reference prefilled. ZeroSettle setup, no new-contact cost, rules.
- [Win back lapsed subscribers with a hosted iMessage AI agent](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-win-back-lapsed-customers/): A hosted AI agent texts lapsed subscribers who opted in, handles objections and sends a come-back link. ZeroSettle daily limits, credits and consent.
- [Founder-led SaaS onboarding over iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-saas-onboarding/): Text new trial users one personal question from an iMessage number showing the founder's name, then nudge when analytics show they're stuck. ZeroSettle setup.
- [An AI SDR that texts demo requests over iMessage in seconds](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-ai-sdr-demo-requests/): A hosted AI agent texts each demo request within seconds, answers objections from your context and sends your booking link. ZeroSettle setup, limits.
- [iMessage customer support, routed to Slack or your help desk](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-customer-support-slack/): Customers text your support number on iMessage; a signed webhook relays each message to Slack or your help desk, and replies go back via the API.
- [Log iMessages in HubSpot or Salesforce and send them from CRM workflows](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-crm-hubspot-salesforce/): Log every iMessage on the HubSpot or Salesforce contact and send from CRM workflows only when consent is true, with a small service you run and opt-out sync.
- [iMessage automations with Zapier, n8n or Make](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-zapier-n8n-automation/): Receive ZeroSettle iMessage webhooks in Zapier, n8n or Make, verify the signature, and reply with one HTTP request. Three starter flows and the limits.
- [Customer feedback over iMessage: tapback surveys and voice notes](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-customer-feedback-surveys/): Ask one question after a ticket or visit and score the thumbs-up or thumbs-down tapback from your webhook; invite voice-note answers. ZeroSettle setup.
- [On-call alerts over iMessage that engineers acknowledge with a tapback](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-on-call-alerts/): Send monitoring alerts to on-call engineers as iMessages, acknowledge with a tapback, and escalate if nobody reacts. Setup, and why not your only pager.
- [How to turn technicians' voice notes into job reports over iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-field-voice-reports/): Technicians send a 30-second voice memo after each job; your webhook transcribes it and fills the job report in Jobber or ServiceTitan. ZeroSettle setup.
- [Sign in with iMessage: passwordless login without SMS codes](https://zerosettle.io/blog/sign-in-with-imessage/): Users tap Send on a prefilled iMessage and they're signed in: no password, no SMS OTP fee. How Sign in with iMessage works with Firebase, Supabase, Auth0.
- [Phone verification without outbound SMS: how to stop SMS pumping](https://zerosettle.io/blog/phone-verification-without-sms-otp/): Stop SMS pumping by flipping phone verification: users text a code to your iMessage number, so nothing goes to unverified numbers. Android needs a fallback.
- [Give your AI agent an iMessage number (bring your own model)](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-ai-agent-number/): Give your AI assistant a real iMessage number: your webhook calls your own model with your keys and replies via the API. Architecture, typing, bursts.
- [Build a personal AI assistant you text on iMessage](https://zerosettle.io/blog/personal-ai-assistant-imessage/): Build a private AI assistant you text from iPhone, Mac or Watch: allowlist your handle, poll from a home machine, give the model your tools. Setup.
- [Voice messages over iMessage for language-learning apps: spoken lessons, spoken answers](https://zerosettle.io/blog/imessage-voice-messages-language-learning/): Send spoken lessons as native iMessage voice bubbles and score learners' voice replies from your webhook. ZeroSettle setup, TTS formats, 'stop' gotcha.
## Blog: Comparisons
- [iMessage API comparisons: ZeroSettle vs the alternatives](https://zerosettle.io/blog/compare/): How ZeroSettle compares with Sendblue, Linq, LoopMessage, Blooio, Project Blue, Twilio, Apple Messages for Business and self-hosting, sourced and dated.
- [ZeroSettle vs Sendblue](https://zerosettle.io/vs-sendblue/): a dedicated iMessage number for $199/mo with no demo, no setup fee and no contract, next to Sendblue's Contact Sales outbound plan; 50 new contacts a day, name and photo, group chats, 99.9% uptime.
- [ZeroSettle vs Linq: iMessage API price, SLA and features (2026)](https://zerosettle.io/blog/zerosettle-vs-linq/): ZeroSettle vs Linq, checked Oct 2026: $49 self-serve vs Linq Pro from $260/mo; SLAs, fallback, pooled lines, AI agent, refunds, and who each fits.
- [ZeroSettle vs LoopMessage: price, outbound rules and webhooks (2026)](https://zerosettle.io/blog/zerosettle-vs-loopmessag
