pyobjc-framework-InstantMessage
Wrappers for the framework InstantMessage on macOS
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you are targeting macOS versions that support iChat and need InstantMessage integration. No, if you are targeting modern macOS versions—the framework is deprecated since OSX 10.9 and Apple recommends the Social framework instead. Install only if you have a specific legacy iChat use case and are willing to work without built-in documentation.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- macOS required; framework is deprecated in OSX 10.9 (use Social framework instead for newer targets)
- Low friction install with a wheel distribution.
- Actively maintained with recent releases.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license permits commercial and private use with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for most projects that need InstantMessage framework access on macOS.
last release 2026-08-11 (3 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-14 · 803 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 620,950 downloads/mo, #5,722 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pyobjc-framework-instantmessage
import InstantMessage
# Access iChat information or configure video source for iChat Theater- Whether iChat Theater and InstantMessage framework remain functional on current macOS versions
- Specific API surface and what iChat information is accessible through these bindings
- Whether the framework works with modern iMessage or only legacy iChat
What it is and what it does
This package wraps the macOS InstantMessage framework for Python via PyObjC, enabling programmatic access to iChat data and control over auxiliary video sources for iChat Theater. It is part of the larger PyObjC project, which provides bindings to macOS frameworks.
The package is a thin wrapper around Apple's Objective-C framework and does not include its own documentation—users must consult Apple's framework documentation and PyObjC's general translation guides. The framework itself is deprecated as of OSX 10.9, so it is primarily useful for legacy iChat integration or applications targeting older macOS versions. Modern macOS applications should consider the Social framework instead.
Use it for
- Access iChat buddy lists or presence information from a Python application on macOS
- Provide a custom video source to iChat Theater from a Python script
- Integrate legacy iChat functionality into a Python-based macOS desktop tool
- Automate iChat-related tasks on older macOS systems that still support the framework
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you are targeting macOS versions that support iChat and need InstantMessage integration.
No, if you are targeting modern macOS versions—the framework is deprecated since OSX 10.9 and Apple recommends the Social framework instead. Install only if you have a specific legacy iChat use case and are willing to work without built-in documentation.
Install
pyobjc-framework-instantmessage on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction install with a wheel distribution. Actively maintained with recent releases. Depends on pyobjc-core, pyobjc-framework-Cocoa, and pyobjc-framework-Quartz, all part of the same ecosystem.
macOS required; framework is deprecated in OSX 10.9 (use Social framework instead for newer targets)
License in practice
MIT license permits commercial and private use with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for most projects that need InstantMessage framework access on macOS.
Quickstart
pip install pyobjc-framework-instantmessage
import InstantMessage
# Access iChat information or configure video source for iChat TheaterVerify before relying
- Whether iChat Theater and InstantMessage framework remain functional on current macOS versions
- Specific API surface and what iChat information is accessible through these bindings
- Whether the framework works with modern iMessage or only legacy iChat
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.10 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 3 packagespyobjc-corepyobjc-framework-Cocoapyobjc-framework-Quartz |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 3 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 620,950 / month, #5,722 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableEnvironment :: ConsoleEnvironment :: MacOS X :: CocoaIntended Audience :: DevelopersNatural Language :: EnglishOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XProgramming Language :: Objective CProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.15Programming Language :: Python :: Free Threading :: 3 - StableProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python ModulesTopic :: Software Development :: User Interfaces |
Evidence: pyobjc_framework_instantmessage-12.2.2-py2.py3-none-any.whl
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See also pyobjc-framework-BusinessChat · pyobjc-framework-AudioVideoBridging · pyobjc-framework-CoreMedia · pyobjc-framework-VideoSubscriberAccount · pyobjc-framework-MediaLibrary · pyobjc-framework-libxpc · pyobjc-framework-MediaExtension · pyobjc-framework-InputMethodKit · pyobjc-framework-CoreMediaIO · Send2Trash