> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/docs/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Connect iMessage to the AI Assistant > Save the agent number, verify teammate phones, and link a staff group chat in Messages. ## What you will accomplish You will connect your facility's **AI Assistant** to a **team iMessage group chat** so staff can ask questions by text—without opening the dashboard on a computer. When setup is complete: * Verified teammates can text the assistant from their own phone. * Your group chat can look up customers, cars, schedule, and parking. * Admins can pause, resume, or unlink the group from [Settings > AI Agent](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/ai-agent). This guide is for **facility owners and admins**. Front-desk staff who only need to *use* the group chat should read [Use the AI Assistant in iMessage](/docs/ai-assistant/use-the-ai-assistant-in-imessage.md) after an admin finishes setup. > [!NOTE] > > **Web assistant vs iMessage** > > The dashboard **[AI Assistant](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/agent)** page and iMessage use the same brain, but they look different. > > * **Web** shows proposal cards and **Confirm All** before saving new records. > * **iMessage** replies in short text messages. There are no on-screen cards to review. > > Both respect your team's permissions and shared facts the assistant remembers over time. ## Before you start * You can sign in as a facility **admin** (or someone with **AI Assistant** settings access). * Your facility has **iMessage AI Agent** turned on by Car Storage Software support. If [Settings > AI Agent](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/ai-agent) says **This feature is not enabled for your account yet**, contact support before you follow the steps below—there is nothing to configure until it is turned on. * Each teammate who will text the assistant has an **iPhone or Mac with Messages** and a mobile number saved on their user profile in [Settings > Team](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/team). * You have (or will create) a **group chat in Messages** for your operations team—not a chat with customers. ![Settings AI Agent page showing step 1 Your agent's number with Copy number button](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/JR8mbbyqpigpoy1I/images/ai-assistant/ai-agent-settings-overview.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JR8mbbyqpigpoy1I\&q=85\&s=5860064a01e51013db9abf1df695c6b7) *Open [Settings > AI Agent](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/ai-agent). Setup follows three numbered steps from top to bottom.* ## Step 1: Open AI Agent settings **1. Go to Settings** In the dashboard sidebar, click **Settings**. **Why this matters:** iMessage linking is a one-time facility setup. It lives with other admin tools—not on the daily AI Assistant chat page. **2. Click AI Agent** Open [Settings > AI Agent](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/ai-agent). **Expected result:** You see three numbered sections: **1 · Your agent's number**, **2 · Text the robot**, and **3 · Group chat**. > [!WARNING] > > **If you see “not enabled for your account”** > > That message means iMessage has not been activated for your facility yet. The web **[AI Assistant](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/agent)** page may still work. Contact Car Storage Software support to enable iMessage for your team. ## Step 2: Save the agent phone number Every teammate needs this number in their phone contacts before texting or starting a group chat. **1. Find 1 · Your agent's number** Scroll to the first section on the page. You will see a large phone number labeled **AGENT CONTACT**. **Expected result:** A blue **Copy number** button appears below the number. **2. Click Copy number** Click **Copy number** and save the contact in your phone as something your team will recognize, such as **Mega Speed Assistant**. **Why this matters:** Verification and group linking only work when texts come from phones that have messaged this exact number. ## Step 3: Verify teammate phones (Text the robot) Each person who will use the group chat must verify their mobile number. **1. Scroll to 2 · Text the robot** This section lists teammates who already have a phone number on their profile in [Settings > Team](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/team). **Expected result:** You see a card for each person. Cards may show **Invite**, **Pending**, or a green checkmark when **Verified**. **2. Add a phone number if someone is missing** If a teammate appears under **hidden — no phone number on record**, click their row and enter their mobile number in the window that opens. **Why this matters:** The assistant cannot verify a phone that is not on file. **3. Tap Invite on a teammate card** For anyone who is not verified yet, click their card. The card shows **Invite**. **Expected result:** They receive an email with instructions to text a verification code to the agent number from step 2. **4. Wait for Verified status** After the teammate sends the text from their phone, refresh the page. Their card should show a green checkmark and say **Verified**. **Why this matters:** Only **Verified** phones can be included in the group chat in step 4. **5. Select teammates for the group chat** Tap each **Verified** card you want in the operations group. Selected cards turn green and say **included in the group chat below**. **Expected result:** At least one verified teammate (usually yourself) is selected before you continue. ![AI Agent settings showing step 2 Text the robot with teammate invite cards](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/JR8mbbyqpigpoy1I/images/ai-assistant/ai-agent-team-members.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JR8mbbyqpigpoy1I\&q=85\&s=6d74598333496bdbe6f3a3bbb46fb762) *Step 2 lists teammates with phones on file. Tap a card to send an invite email, then wait for **Verified** before selecting them for the group chat.* > [!TIP] > > **Who can invite teammates?** > > Only admins (or staff with **AI Assistant** write access in [Settings > Team](/docs/settings/manage-team-permissions.md)) can add phone numbers and send invites. Other staff can still use a linked group chat once it is connected. ## Step 4: Open the group chat in Messages The software can open Messages for you with the right people and a link code ready to send. **1. Scroll to 3 · Group chat** Read the description: one tap opens Messages with your selected verified teammates, the agent number, and a link code. **Expected result:** A card titled **Open in Messages** shows how many teammates you selected in step 2. **2. Verify your own phone first** If you see orange text saying **Invite yourself in step 2**, complete verification for your own card before continuing. **Why this matters:** The **Open group chat & send code** button stays disabled until at least one phone is verified—including yours if you are the admin setting this up. **3. Click Open group chat & send code** Click the blue **Open group chat & send code** button. **Expected result:** Messages opens on your phone or Mac with a pre-filled group including the selected teammates and the agent number, plus a **LINK** command ready to send. **4. Send the message in Messages** On your phone, tap **Send** in the group chat. **Why this matters:** The link code ties that specific group chat to your facility. Send it only in your trusted staff group. **5. Confirm the group is linked** Return to [Settings > AI Agent](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/ai-agent) and refresh. Under **Linked chats** inside step 3, your group should appear with a green **active** badge. **Expected result:** Your team can now ask questions in that group chat and receive replies from the assistant. ![AI Agent settings step 3 Group chat showing Open in Messages card and Open group chat and send code button](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/JR8mbbyqpigpoy1I/images/ai-assistant/ai-agent-connect-group-chat.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JR8mbbyqpigpoy1I\&q=85\&s=7af7d02a65b69afcc7add2935028a6f2) *Step 3 opens Messages with verified teammates and a link code. After you send the message, the group appears under **Linked chats** with an **active** badge.* > [!TIP] > > **Button is gray?** > > Confirm at least one teammate is **Verified** and selected in step 2, and that you have verified your own phone if you are the person clicking the button. ## Pause, resume, or unlink a group After a group is linked, admins see **Pause**, **Resume**, and **Unlink** buttons on each row under **Linked chats**. | Button | What it does | When to use it | | - | - | - | | **Pause** | Stops the assistant from auto-replying | During a meeting, maintenance, or when you are testing something else | | **Resume** | Turns auto-replies back on | After a pause | | **Unlink** | Disconnects the group from your facility | When you retire an old group chat or linked the wrong chat by mistake | **Expected result after Unlink:** The group no longer appears as active. You can link a different group by repeating step 4. ![Linked group chats section showing an active team group with Pause and Unlink buttons](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/JR8mbbyqpigpoy1I/images/ai-assistant/ai-agent-linked-groups.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JR8mbbyqpigpoy1I\&q=85\&s=522842e1ea82d6ef06a9981799ed40c8) *After linking, each group shows under **Linked chats** with **active** status and admin controls.* > [!NOTE] > > **No Linked chats section yet?** > > Before you send the link code, step 3 only shows **Open in Messages** with a **Not linked** badge. That is normal. Complete step 4 first—the **Linked chats** list appears after the agent joins your group. ## Troubleshooting ### Open group chat & send code is grayed out Your phone is not **Verified** yet, or no verified teammate is selected in step 2. Complete the invite flow and select at least one green **Verified** card. ### The group never shows as linked * Confirm you tapped **Send** in Messages after the app opened the group. * Confirm the sender's phone is **Verified** in step 2. * Click **Open group chat & send code** again if the previous link code expired. ### A teammate cannot get Verified Check that their mobile number is correct in [Settings > Team](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/team). They must text from the same phone listed on their profile. ### I linked the wrong group Click **Unlink** on that row under **Linked chats**, then repeat step 4 with the correct group. ## What to do next * [Use the AI Assistant in iMessage](/docs/ai-assistant/use-the-ai-assistant-in-imessage.md) — teach your team what to ask and how replies work. * [Manage team memory for the AI Assistant](/docs/ai-assistant/manage-team-memory-for-the-ai-assistant.md) — help the assistant remember facility rules. * [Manage team permissions](/docs/settings/manage-team-permissions.md) — turn on **AI Assistant** for staff who need the web page or settings. * [AI Assistant overview](/docs/ai-assistant/overview.md) — compare web and iMessage workflows. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.