# Connect the account behind the conversation. Let customers sign in when a service request needs account access. Bird connects Apple Messages authentication to your identity provider so AI and your team can use the right authorized context. [Discuss account authentication](/demo?product=apple-messages) [Read the authentication guide](/docs/guides/apple-messages/authentication) [Explore Apple Messages for Business](/products/apple-messages) Connect the right customer account FIELDNOTES Sign in to view your order securely. Your identity provider The customer grants the relevant account access. Customer account Verified Requested operation View order Access Checked Your order is ready for collection. Fictional sign-in and account. This example shows the identity and permission checks without accessing a real account. ## Know which account the conversation belongs to. A customer asks about an order. Start with a general conversation, then offer sign-in when the answer needs private account information. After authentication, your service can retrieve the right order and help with the requested change. Connect your identity provider to the conversation and keep account permissions in your application. The same authenticated context can support AI assistance, a native form or a specialist handling a more complex request. ## Sign in at the point it becomes useful. Authentication should have an obvious purpose for the customer. Ask for it when the requested service needs account access, then return to the question they were trying to answer. ### Explain what sign-in enables Tell the customer why account access is needed, such as checking an order or changing a reservation. Public product questions and opening hours can continue without introducing an account step. ### Use your identity provider Connect the supported authentication experience to your own sign-in flow. Keep credentials and identity checks with that provider, and associate the successful result with the intended conversation. ### Apply the customer’s permissions Use the authenticated identity to determine which records and actions are available. Read an order through the customer-facing application contract, and require the permissions needed for a change before carrying it out. ### Continue the original request Return the customer to the conversation with the relevant account context. If authentication expires or is canceled, explain the next step and preserve the service request so they can continue when ready. ## Useful context for AI and people. ### Give assistance scoped access An AI assistant can use approved account tools after the identity and permissions have been established. Keep credentials outside the conversation and tool prompts, and return the information needed for the specific request. ### Carry the request through a handoff When a person takes over, include the service context and authentication state they are allowed to use. A handoff summary helps them continue, while your application still checks permission for account reads and changes. ## Customer authentication questions ### Is the Apple conversation ID our customer login? No. It identifies the messaging relationship. Authenticate and resolve the account through your own supported identity flow. ### Should customers type passwords into the conversation? Use the protected authentication experience connected to the identity provider. Do not make a chat message the credential collection mechanism. ### Does successful authentication authorize any account change? No. The owning business system must enforce permission for the specific operation and resource. ### Can an AI assistant use authenticated context? Provide the minimum authorized context and use the normal operation permissions. The assistant’s prompt does not replace access enforcement. ## Build the connected journey - [Customer authentication guide](/docs/guides/apple-messages/authentication): Follow the practical setup and operational steps. - [Apple Pay](/products/apple-messages/payments): Connect Apple Pay in Messages for Business to your commerce workflow with Bird. Present the order, authorize payment and confirm the recorded result. - [AI and human service](/products/apple-messages/ai-conversations): Build AI-assisted Apple Messages conversations with Bird, grounded in business context and authorized actions, with a clear handoff to people. - [Apple Messages resource library](/products/apple-messages/resources): Find setup guides, native experience advice and provider comparisons. ## Make account actions depend on the right identity. Review your identity provider, session rules and authorized account operations before introducing authentication into the conversation. ## Related resources - [Integrate an Apple Messages customer journey](/docs/guides/apple-messages/api) (docs) - [What is Apple Messages for Business?](/explained/apple-messages/what-is-apple-messages-for-business) (answer) [Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=apple-messages)