# Connect Apple Messages to appointment booking

Present relevant times, validate the customer’s selection and return the booking system’s confirmed appointment.

## Prerequisites

Prepare a booking integration, supported time-picker content, the applicable customer identity flow and an authorized test conversation.

## 1. Retrieve real availability

Query the system that owns slots and booking rules. Select the location, service, duration and relevant time zone. Keep the offered options tied to their actual booking references.

## 2. Present a clear choice

Use supported native time-picker content with understandable service and location details. Check the displayed time and date on intended devices, especially across time zones.

## 3. Validate the selected slot

On reply, confirm the selected reference is still available and eligible for the customer. Collect any required identity or confirmation before committing the booking.

## 4. Record and explain the result

Create or change the appointment in the booking system. Return the confirmed time, location and booking reference only after the operation succeeds. Offer updated options if the slot is no longer available.

## 5. Test changes and uncertain outcomes

Exercise cancellation, rescheduling and a lost integration response. Inspect the original booking operation before retrying so a timeout does not create duplicate appointments.

## Verify the booking boundary

Test a visit with a specific service, location and time zone. Retrieve the available times, select a slot in Messages and create the appointment through your booking application. Record the appointment reference before sending the confirmation. If you include Wallet, issue the pass from that confirmed record.

| Test case                                         | Action                                                                 | Expected result                                                        |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| The selected slot becomes unavailable             | Refresh availability for the same service and location.                | The customer receives useful alternative times; no booking is claimed. |
| The booking completes but its response is delayed | Retrieve the existing booking request before trying to create another. | The original appointment is recovered and confirmed once.              |
| The customer asks to move the appointment         | Apply the change to the existing booking and then update its pass.     | The conversation and pass show the confirmed replacement time.         |

## Troubleshooting

If displayed times differ, check the original time zone and device rendering. If availability changes after selection, offer current options. A picker response records a choice; it does not itself reserve a slot.

## Next steps

- [Explore the related Apple Messages capability](/products/apple-messages/appointments).
- [Find Apple Messages guides and answers](/products/apple-messages/resources).
- [Prepare your first complete conversation](/products/apple-messages/getting-started).

## Related resources

- [What is Apple Messages for Business?](/explained/apple-messages/what-is-apple-messages-for-business) (answer)
- [Apple Messages for Business](/products/apple-messages) (product)
- [Integrate an Apple Messages customer journey](/docs/guides/apple-messages/api) (docs)

[Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=apple-messages)