# Create an iMessage App message template

iMessage App message templates enable businesses to engage customers through interactive app experiences directly within Apple Messages.

## Message components

### **Message Received**

The initial message that prompts customers to interact with your iMessage app extension. This message includes several unique properties:

* **Image/App Icon**: A 15kb icon representing your iOS app. Displayed only if the iOS app extension isn't installed on the customer's device.
* **Display Properties**: Certain properties of this message can be overridden by the iOS app extension when received by the customer.

### **iMessage App**

Customize your iMessage app extension with these settings:

* **App ID**: The unique identifier of your published iOS app.
* **App Name**: The name of your iOS app.
* **URL**: Deeplink data passed to your app, specified as a query string.
* **BID (Bundle ID)**: The identifier for your iMessage app extension, formatted as `com.apple.messages.MSMessageExtensionBalloonPlugin:<teamid>:<bundleid>.packagename<teamid>.MessagesExtension`.
* **Use Live Layout**: Specifies whether the iMessage app extension should render the template's layout upon message receipt. Toggle on or off to use.

## How to make an iMessage App message template

#### What you'll need

* An existing iOS app with a custom extension for iMessage. For integration details, refer to [Apple's iMessage Apps Tutorial](https://register.apple.com/resources/messages/msp-api-tutorial/imessage-apps#integrating-your-imessage-app).

### Instructions

1. Go to **Content** > **Message templates**.
2. Click **Create message template**.
3. Under 'Platform', select **Apple Messages**.
4. Select **iMessage App** as the 'Message type'.
5. **Message Received Block**:
   * Optionally include an image to complement your message.
   * Enter the Title and Subtitle.
   * Select a Style that suits your message.
6. **iMessage App block:**
   * Fill in the **App ID**, **App Name**, and **URL** with the appropriate details for your app.
   * Input the **BID** with your iMessage app extension's unique identifier.
   * Decide on the **Use Live Layout** option based on how you want your app to interact with users upon message receipt
7. Once your template is finalized, click **Publish** to make it available for use.


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