AI assistants are moving into your text messages

A new wave of AI assistants is skipping the app store entirely, operating instead through messaging platforms people already use, such as iMessage, RCS, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Rather than opening a separate program, users simply send a message describing what they need, and the assistant responds while remembering prior context and linking to other connected services.

These tools can add calendar events, set reminders, make reservations, research trips, or send emails on a user's behalf. Some aim at a broad consumer audience, while others target specific groups such as families, travelers, or content creators.

Leading players

Instinct has drawn particular attention after raising $1 billion in September 2026, pushing its valuation to $10 billion. The assistant can act with notable autonomy, including issuing users dedicated email addresses so it can sign up for services or contact businesses without clogging a personal inbox — a capability that has also sparked privacy and security concerns.

Other notable entrants include Caddy and Folk, which work across multiple messaging platforms, along with family-focused tools like Fambot, Ohai, Ollie, and Orbits that help coordinate school updates, activities, and household chores. Town targets professional users and raised a $55 million Series A in June 2026, while Miso specializes in travel planning and booking.

One standout case is Poke, which in June 2026 became the first AI agent approved on Apple's Messages for Business platform. A month later, its parent company was acquired by AI coding startup Cognition in a deal valued in the low nine figures.

Most of these services offer free basic tiers, with paid plans — typically ranging from around $8 to more than $20 per month — unlocking features like unlimited background tasks or higher message limits.