Getting Started with iMessage
How do I get access to the iMessage API?
How do I get access to the iMessage API?
iMessage is available only when you lease a phone number from Contiguity that supports iMessage.Leasing is the only way to get iMessage access. Currently, we require customers to manually request iMessage access – using any of our available support channels.Once you’re approved to lease iMessage numbers, you’ll be able to lease them on-demand via the Leasing API.
Do I need Apple Business Chat or Apple for Business?
Do I need Apple Business Chat or Apple for Business?
No. Contiguity does not require Apple Business registration, human staff, per-contact fees, or long verification waits. You can start sending blue bubbles as soon as you have a leased number with iMessage capability.
What can I send with iMessage?
What can I send with iMessage?
You can send text (with markdown-style formatting: bold, italics, strikethrough, underline), attachments (images and other media via URLs), and use the same API patterns as SMS. You can also send typing indicators, tapback reactions, and mark conversations as read. Automatic SMS fallback is supported when iMessage isn’t available.
Delivery & Fallback
What if the recipient doesn't have iMessage?
What if the recipient doesn't have iMessage?
iMessage requires the recipient to have an Apple device with iMessage enabled. You can configure automatic fallback to SMS using the
fallback option when sending:imessage_unsupported– fall back when the recipient can’t receive iMessageimessage_fails– fall back when iMessage delivery fails
fallback.from number (e.g. a leased SMS number) for the fallback message. See the iMessage product docs for examples.Do you support iCloud email addresses?
Do you support iCloud email addresses?
iCloud emails are technically supported, but behavior can be unpredictable. We recommend using E.164 phone numbers for reliable delivery. Phone numbers must include country codes.
Where can I deliver iMessages?
Where can I deliver iMessages?
Contiguity delivers iMessages in 180+ countries to over 1.3B iMessage users, with device-level delivery confirmation and read receipts—not just carrier-level estimates.
Compliance & Cost
Do I need A2P 10DLC or carrier registration for iMessage?
Do I need A2P 10DLC or carrier registration for iMessage?
No. iMessage is exempt from A2P 10DLC, carrier vetting, and carrier per-segment fees. You’re not required to register for 10DLC or include opt-out language specifically for iMessage. You are still responsible for complying with applicable laws (e.g. TCPA, GDPR, CASL) in your jurisdiction—see our compliance overview.
Are there carrier fees for iMessage?
Are there carrier fees for iMessage?
No. Unlike SMS, iMessage does not incur carrier fees. You pay for Contiguity usage; there are no carrier surcharges for iMessage delivery.
API & SDK
Is the iMessage API the same as SMS?
Is the iMessage API the same as SMS?
Yes. The API shape is the same—you use
contiguity.imessage.send() instead of contiguity.text.send() and pass a leased number as from. You can fetch messages, get conversation history, react, and mark as read. See the JavaScript SDK iMessage docs and API reference.What features does the API support?
What features does the API support?
Beyond sending text and attachments: typing indicators (start/stop), tapback reactions (add/remove), mark as read, conversation history, and message fetch. Webhooks and delivery/read status work with the same event model as other Contiguity products.
Still have questions? Join our Discord community or email us at help@contiguity.support.
