Chert

Chert is an API platform that lets businesses send and receive automated messages through Apple's iMessage system. Instead of using traditional SMS with its limitations, Chert delivers messages as genuine blue-bubble iMessages, which appear in the same thread as a recipient's personal conversations. This approach maintains the trust and familiarity of iMessage while allowing for automated business communication at scale. The platform handles the entire messaging infrastructure, including sender verification and delivery optimization.

Chert provides a complete iMessage experience with features like typing indicators, tapback reactions, group chats, and file attachments. It automatically falls back to SMS when recipients aren't on iMessage, and provides real-time delivery status for every message. The service exposes these capabilities through a REST API that integrates with existing business tools like Salesforce, Slack, and HubSpot, allowing teams to manage conversations within their current workflows.

This tool is particularly valuable for B2C startups and revenue teams who need to communicate with customers through a channel they already use and trust. Use cases include booking meetings through cold outreach, handling customer support inquiries, and automating user onboarding sequences. The high response rates compared to traditional email or SMS make it effective for teams focused on customer engagement and conversion.