iMessage History — Claude Code MCP server: setup
This MCP server searches and reads Apple Messages history on macOS. Use it when an agent needs conversation context without sending messages.
claude mcp add --env IMESSAGE_PRIVACY=<IMESSAGE_PRIVACY> --env IMESSAGE_CONTACTS=<IMESSAGE_CONTACTS> --env IMESSAGE_DB=<IMESSAGE_DB> --env IMESSAGE_CACHE=<IMESSAGE_CACHE> --env IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK=<IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK> --transport stdio anipottsbuilds-imessage-history -- npx -y imessage-mcpWhat iMessage History does
iMessage History gives an MCP client local access to Apple Messages history. It can look up messages by words, exact text, or phrases, read conversation details with reactions and replies, display sent photos, and follow new activity. The server is read-only, so it cannot send a drafted reply.
It runs on a Mac without an account or a build step. The npx setup needs macOS 14 or later and Node.js 24.16 or later; Node 24 LTS is advised for encrypted cache support. Full Disk Access is required for the host application, and the app must be restarted after permission changes. Node 25 lacks the SQLite checkpoint APIs used for persistent search state, so searches stay in memory and are rebuilt after a restart.
What it helps with
- find a message by a word or phrase
- read a full conversation before replying
- summarize message activity for the week
- identify contacts waiting for a reply
- check a contact’s usual response time
Example prompts for the agent
- Search my messages for the dinner reservation and summarize the relevant conversation.
- Tell me who is waiting for my reply and what each person needs.
- Review this week’s messages and report the busiest conversations and pending replies.
How to install iMessage History
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env IMESSAGE_PRIVACY=<IMESSAGE_PRIVACY> --env IMESSAGE_CONTACTS=<IMESSAGE_CONTACTS> --env IMESSAGE_DB=<IMESSAGE_DB> --env IMESSAGE_CACHE=<IMESSAGE_CACHE> --env IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK=<IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK> --transport stdio anipottsbuilds-imessage-history -- npx -y imessage-mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add anipottsbuilds-imessage-history --env IMESSAGE_PRIVACY=<IMESSAGE_PRIVACY> --env IMESSAGE_CONTACTS=<IMESSAGE_CONTACTS> --env IMESSAGE_DB=<IMESSAGE_DB> --env IMESSAGE_CACHE=<IMESSAGE_CACHE> --env IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK=<IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK> -- npx -y imessage-mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"anipottsbuilds-imessage-history": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"imessage-mcp"
],
"env": {
"IMESSAGE_PRIVACY": "<IMESSAGE_PRIVACY>",
"IMESSAGE_CONTACTS": "<IMESSAGE_CONTACTS>",
"IMESSAGE_DB": "<IMESSAGE_DB>",
"IMESSAGE_CACHE": "<IMESSAGE_CACHE>",
"IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK": "<IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"anipottsbuilds-imessage-history": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"imessage-mcp"
],
"env": {
"IMESSAGE_PRIVACY": "<IMESSAGE_PRIVACY>",
"IMESSAGE_CONTACTS": "<IMESSAGE_CONTACTS>",
"IMESSAGE_DB": "<IMESSAGE_DB>",
"IMESSAGE_CACHE": "<IMESSAGE_CACHE>",
"IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK": "<IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e IMESSAGE_PRIVACY=<IMESSAGE_PRIVACY> -e IMESSAGE_CONTACTS=<IMESSAGE_CONTACTS> -e IMESSAGE_DB=<IMESSAGE_DB> -e IMESSAGE_CACHE=<IMESSAGE_CACHE> -e IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK=<IMESSAGE_UPDATE_CHECK> anipottsbuilds-imessage-history npx -y imessage-mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about iMessage History
How do I install iMessage History in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add imessage-mcp -- npx -y imessage-mcp.
What does iMessage History do?
It lets an MCP client search and read Apple Messages history on a Mac. Its access is read-only, so it cannot send messages.
What does iMessage History require?
Use macOS 14 or later, Node.js 24.16 or later for the npx setup, and Full Disk Access for the app running the server.
