imessage-mcp
A read-only MCP server for macOS that enables users to search through iMessage history and analyze conversation patterns using AI-powered tools. It provides detailed statistics on messaging habits, streaks, and contact analytics while keeping all data private and local.
README
📨 imessage-mcp - Explore Your iMessage History Easily
📝 What is imessage-mcp?
imessage-mcp lets you look through your iMessage history using smart tools. It helps you understand your conversations by showing stats, searching messages, and tracking chat patterns. The program runs a server on Mac computers to keep your message data safe and private. This app works in read-only mode, so it never changes your messages.
You do not need technical skills to use this software. It shows your texts in a simple, clear way. Think of it as a way to see your own messaging habits and find old chats quickly.
💻 System Requirements
- A Mac running macOS Big Sur (11.0) or later
- Access to your iMessage database on your Mac
- Basic knowledge of downloading files and running simple programs
- Internet connection (for downloading and updates)
The app reads your message data but works without changing any files. It does not require permission from Apple or complicated setup steps.
🎯 Key Features
- Search your entire iMessage history by keywords or contacts
- View conversation analytics like message counts and streaks
- Get simple stats on who you message most and when
- See visual summaries of your texting habits over time
- Use built-in tools powered by AI to help understand chat patterns
- Keep your data private with a local read-only server on your Mac
🚀 Getting Started
Start by downloading the software package from the releases page. The steps below guide you through download, installation, and setup.
-
Go to the releases page:
Visit imessage-mcp Releases to get the latest version. -
Choose the latest release:
Look for the newest version listed at the top of the page. It will have files designed for macOS. -
Download the macOS version:
Click on the file that ends with.dmgor.zipdesigned for Mac computers. Save it to your computer. -
Open the downloaded file:
If it is a.dmg, double-click it to mount the app. For.zipfiles, unzip them first. -
Move the app to your Applications folder:
Drag the app into the Applications folder to install it properly. -
Open the app:
Find imessage-mcp in your Applications folder or search via Spotlight. Open it. -
Grant access to your messages:
When the app asks, allow it to read your iMessage database. This only allows it to show your data.
Once installed, the app runs a small server on your Mac. You can then open a web browser to explore your messages using the app’s interface.
🔧 How to Use imessage-mcp
After installation:
- Open your web browser (Safari, Chrome, or Firefox).
- Enter
http://localhost:8080in the browser’s address bar. This connects to the app’s server. - Use the menu to search your messages or see conversation summaries.
- Click on contacts to view chat details and analytics.
The interface is easy to use. Menus and buttons help you find exactly what you want without needed programming knowledge.
🛠 Troubleshooting
-
App won’t open:
Check that you followed the steps to move imessage-mcp to the Applications folder. Try restarting your computer. -
No messages shown:
Make sure you gave permission for the app to read your iMessage database. Check macOS Privacy settings under “Full Disk Access.” -
Browser can’t connect to server:
Confirm imessage-mcp is running. Look for the app icon in your Mac’s menu bar. -
App crashed or froze:
Close it and reopen the app. Check that your macOS version meets the minimum requirement. -
Errors about missing files:
Redownload the release and try installing again.
📥 Download and Installation Summary
You can visit the releases page at the link below to download the software package.
Follow these steps to install:
- Download the latest
.dmgor.zipfile for macOS - Open and drag the app to Applications
- Launch the app and allow message access
- Open your browser and go to
http://localhost:8080to explore
📚 Additional Information
imessage-mcp uses your Mac’s local data. It does not send your conversations anywhere. This keeps your information private.
The app supports common message features including SMS and iMessage texts. It reads your messages from the built-in Apple database format, which uses SQLite. The interface allows you to analyze your texting patterns over days, weeks, or months.
The software runs with a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. This protocol keeps the data read-only and secure on your device. It helps integrate AI tools safely without risking any changes to your messages.
🤝 Support and Feedback
If you have questions or issues, open a new issue in the GitHub repository at the project page. Include details about your macOS version and what you tried. This helps the developers improve the tool.
You can also browse existing issues to see if your problem has already been solved.
⚙️ Privacy and Security
imessage-mcp does not upload or share your texts. It runs locally on your machine only.
It uses secure macOS permissions to read the iMessage database. It does not store or send your data externally.
This approach gives you control over your own messages while using smart tools to analyze them.
🔍 Topics Covered
This project covers these key areas:
- AI tools for messaging analysis
- Conversation statistics and chat habits
- Apple iMessage and SMS support
- Local read-only server on macOS
- SQLite database integration
- Text search and streak tracking
📂 License and Contributions
The project code is open source and you can contribute improvements by creating pull requests on GitHub. It is designed for personal use and study of your own message data.
Please follow the contribution guidelines on the repository page before making changes.
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