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Comma Compliance Docs

Setting Up iMessage Archiving

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iMessage capture is the hardest channel in compliance, because Apple does not provide a server-side API. Comma supports two approaches: BlueBubbles (a managed Mac running the BlueBubbles server) for individual user iMessage, and Apple Business Chat for organization-to-customer messaging through Apple’s business surface.

How iMessage capture works

Section titled “How iMessage capture works”

Comma uses the open-source BlueBubbles daemon running on a managed Mac dedicated to message capture. The Mac:

  • Signs in with the user’s iCloud account
  • Receives every SMS and iMessage that user receives
  • Forwards messages, attachments, and metadata to Comma via a secure webhook
  • Validates the link with an end-to-end test message at setup time

No app is installed on the user’s iPhone. No MDM is required.

Prerequisites

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  • A dedicated Mac (Mini, Studio, or iMac) for each user or shared pool, signed in to the user’s iCloud
  • Comma team admin access
  • A static path for Apple Push Notification Service (APNS) traffic from the Mac to Comma
  • About 30 minutes per Mac for initial setup, then automated

Setup steps

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Mac preparation

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  1. Set up the Mac with the user’s iCloud account signed in
  2. Enable Messages in iCloud under Messages > Settings
  3. Verify the Mac receives both SMS (via iPhone forwarding) and iMessage

Comma side

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  1. Sign in to the Comma Compliance dashboard
  2. Open Integrations in the top navigation
  3. Under Personal Integrations, find the iMessage card and click Connect
  4. Comma generates a per-user setup token and BlueBubbles configuration
  5. Run the BlueBubbles installer on the Mac with the token (script provided)
  6. Comma fires a test message to verify the round-trip and confirms the connection

Device Enrollment Program (DEP) for fleet deployment

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If you’re rolling out across many users, Comma supports requesting Apple Device Enrollment Program integration for fleet provisioning. Open the iMessage integration card in Comma and click Request DEP enrollment to start the process with the Comma team.

Apple Business Chat

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For organization-to-customer iMessage through Apple Business Chat (the “Message Business” button on company web and map listings), Comma captures through the Business Chat API. Apple Business Chat support is rare among compliance vendors. Contact us to enable it for your tenant.

What’s next

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