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Hermes Agent iMessage Setup via BlueBubbles

To run Hermes Agent on iMessage, host BlueBubbles on a Mac that stays signed in to Messages, expose its API, and point Hermes Agent at that server with the API password. iMessage has no official bot API, so the Mac is the bridge and must remain online for the assistant to send and receive.

Updated Sep 11, 20269 min read

Deployment route

01
Prepare a Mac that stays online
Use a Mac signed in to Messages with the Apple ID the assistant should speak as. Disable sleep and keep it on a stable network.
02
Install and configure BlueBubbles Server
Install the BlueBubbles server app, connect it to Messages, and note the local address, port, and API password it generates.
03
Expose the API safely
Either connect over a private network such as a VPN or publish the server through a TLS reverse proxy, and keep the API password strong.
04
Deploy Hermes Agent with BlueBubbles selected
Choose a model, select the iMessage or BlueBubbles channel, and enter the server URL and API password.
05
Send a test iMessage
Write from a phone number that is not the assistant account and confirm one correct reply arrives in the same thread.
06
Confirm the Mac stays reachable
Reboot the Mac once and re-test, because a bridge that fails after a restart will fail silently in production.

Four-step path

How do you connect Hermes Agent to iMessage?

Five checkpoints: prepare a Mac with Messages, install BlueBubbles, secure the API, deploy Hermes Agent with the server details, then prove one reply.

Step 01
Prepare a Mac that stays online
Use a Mac signed in to Messages with the Apple ID the assistant should speak as. Disable sleep and keep it on a stable network.
Step 02
Install and configure BlueBubbles Server
Install the BlueBubbles server app, connect it to Messages, and note the local address, port, and API password it generates.
Step 03
Expose the API safely
Either connect over a private network such as a VPN or publish the server through a TLS reverse proxy, and keep the API password strong.
Step 04
Deploy Hermes Agent with BlueBubbles selected
Choose a model, select the iMessage or BlueBubbles channel, and enter the server URL and API password.
Step 05
Send a test iMessage
Write from a phone number that is not the assistant account and confirm one correct reply arrives in the same thread.
Step 06
Confirm the Mac stays reachable
Reboot the Mac once and re-test, because a bridge that fails after a restart will fail silently in production.

What do you need to connect iMessage?

You need a Mac that can stay powered on and signed in to Messages, the BlueBubbles server app, and a way for the runtime to reach that server. There is no official Apple API for bots.

Because Apple does not publish an iMessage bot API, every integration relies on a bridge running on real Apple hardware. Plan for that machine as production infrastructure, not as a spare laptop.

Should the assistant use its own Apple ID?

Yes, when you can. A dedicated Apple ID keeps the assistant's messages separate from your personal threads and makes it obvious which conversations were automated.

A dedicated Apple ID avoids polluting your personal message history.
The same Apple ID should not be used on two conflicting Macs for the bridge.
Keep two-factor authentication on and store the recovery details safely.
Record which Apple ID owns the bridge so access reviews are simple.

Why does an iMessage bridge stop working?

The Mac slept, Messages signed out, the Apple ID was used on another device, the tunnel changed address, or BlueBubbles lost its connection to the Messages database.

Disable sleep and enable automatic restart after power loss.
Re-authenticate Messages if the account signs out.
Use a stable tunnel address instead of a rotating one.
Alert on the bridge health check so failures are not silent.

How do you secure a BlueBubbles server?

Never expose the API on the open internet without TLS and authentication. Prefer a private network, keep the API password long and unique, and restrict which addresses may reach the port.

The BlueBubbles API can read and send messages as your Apple ID, so it deserves the same care as a password manager. Rotate the API password if it has ever been pasted into a chat or ticket.

When should you not use iMessage for an assistant?

Avoid iMessage when you need high availability, multi-tenant isolation, or a fully managed channel. A single Mac bridge is a single point of failure by design.

If the assistant must serve customers at scale, a channel with an official bot API such as Telegram, Slack, or WhatsApp is more dependable. iMessage is best for personal or small-team convenience.

Which primary sources support this page?

Product behavior is checked against the current deployment flow. These external links provide the upstream project or channel documentation used for setup details.

Direct answers

Frequently asked questions

Does Apple provide an official iMessage bot API?

No. iMessage integrations rely on a bridge such as BlueBubbles running on a Mac signed in to Messages.

Can the Mac be a laptop that sleeps?

It can, but the assistant stops working whenever the machine sleeps or loses network. Disable sleep for a dependable bridge.

Is a dedicated Apple ID required?

It is strongly recommended. A dedicated account keeps automated conversations separate from your personal message history.

Can I use iMessage and SMS in the same thread?

Behaviour depends on the bridge and the recipient. Test with an iMessage contact first, then check how the bridge treats SMS-only numbers.

Key takeaways

To run Hermes Agent on iMessage, host BlueBubbles on a Mac that stays signed in to Messages, expose its API, and point Hermes Agent at that server with the API password. iMessage has no official bot API, so the Mac is the bridge and must remain online for the assistant to send and receive.
Start with one model, one channel, and one controlled test conversation.
Use managed hosting when deployment speed matters more than operating the server yourself.