App Store for iMessage

The App Store for iMessage is now available to customers worldwide. You can now submit iMessage apps that can be downloaded directly from within Messages on iOS 10.
 Learn more about preparing your app submission

iMessage Apps.

Users will have easy access to your apps without having to leave Messages. They can conveniently share content, edit photos, play games, send payments, and collaborate with friends within a custom interface that you design.

Stickers.

Help users express themselves in richer ways by providing stickers for purchase on the App Store for iMessage. Users can tap to send stickers in a thread, adjust their size, or place them on top of bubbles, other stickers, and photos. There’s no need to write code — simply drag your images into Xcode to create a sticker pack. Learn more about stickers

Videos, Tools, and Documentation

iMessage Apps and Stickers, Part 1

Get an overview of the iMessage App architecture. See how Xcode can easily create a simple sticker pack with your art. Learn how to make an iMessage app that has a custom sticker grid and can make any image you create into a sticker.

Watch the video

iMessage Apps and Stickers, Part 2

Learn how people can work together to accomplish a task within the conversation. Customize the appearance of the messages your app can send. Learn about how to manage your app state in one-to-one and group conversations to provide an engaging and collaborative experience.

Watch the video

Building iMessage Apps

With the Messages framework, you can build a standalone iMessage app, or an extension to an iOS app that lets users interact with your iOS app without leaving Messages. Consider the capabilities of each option as you plan your app.

Standalone

Sticker pack app. This is a basic sticker pack made up of images or animated images, which you don’t need to use code to build. You can list it in the Stickers category and relevant Stickers subcategories on the App Store for iMessage.

iMessage app. Your app can include stickers, text, video and audio. You can also use code to add functionality such as Apple Pay and in-app purchase. Choose to list your app in the Stickers category or another relevant category on the App Store for iMessage.

Extensions to iOS App

Sticker pack extension. You can bundle a sticker pack with your iOS app. The sticker pack is listed on the App Store for iMessage in the same category and with the same description as your iOS app on the App Store.

iMessage extension. An iMessage extension can include the same features as a standalone iMessage app, and allow users to access features of your iOS app without leaving Messages. Your iMessage app will be listed on the App Store for iMessage in the same category and with the same description as your iOS app on the App Store.

Reference

Find implementation details in the Messages Framework Reference.
See documentation

Sample Code

Use the sample code,
Ice Cream Builder: A simple Messages app extension.
Download sample code

Animated Stickers

See Creating Stickers with Motion to learn how to create animated stickers.
See documentation

Developer Forums

Ask questions and discuss with Apple experts and other Apple developers.
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