Overview

This guide shows you how to connect Ollama to iMessage using OpenClaw. You'll configure the messaging channel, set up AI provider authentication, and deploy your assistant.

iMessage Capabilities

Direct messages
Group chats
Media support

Ollama Features

Completely local
No API costs
Privacy-focused
Many model options

Step 1: Configure iMessage

Ensure you're running macOS with Messages app
Grant Full Disk Access to Terminal/Node
Enable imessage in openclaw.json
Start the gateway
Send a test message to trigger pairing

Step 2: Configure Ollama

No authentication required for local instance

Install Ollama from ollama.ai
Run 'ollama pull llama3.3'
Start Ollama service
Configure baseUrl in OpenClaw

Step 3: Combined Configuration

Add both configurations to your openclaw.json:

{
  "agents": {
    "defaults": {
      "model": {
        "primary": "ollama/llama3.3"
      }
    }
  },
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "ollama": {
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "ollama": {
        "baseUrl": "http://localhost:11434"
      }
    }
  },
  "channels": {
    "imessage": {
      "enabled": true,
      "dmPolicy": "pairing",
      "allowFrom": ["friend@icloud.com"]
    }
  }
}
}

Step 4: Start and Test

# Start the gateway
openclaw gateway start

# Check connection status
openclaw status

# View real-time logs
openclaw logs --follow

Access Control

iMessage supports the following access control policies:

DM Policies

Policy	Description
`allowlist`	Only senders in allowFrom list are processed
`pairing`	Unknown senders receive a pairing code; admin must approve
`open`	All DMs are processed (requires allowFrom: ["*"])