It lives in iMessage, Telegram and WhatsApp, so a check-in or a reminder shows up as a normal message. Most other AI friends wait inside their own app until you open it.
Why most AI friends cannot text first
They are apps. Character.AI, Kindroid, Nomi and Janitor AI all keep the conversation inside their own app or website, so the best they can do is send a notification that asks you to come back. A notification from an app and a text from a contact land in different places on your phone, and people treat them differently.
What texting first looks like on folk
You set it up by asking. Tell folk to check in every morning, nudge you before the gym, or remind you about something on Friday, and that message arrives in your thread at that time. It only texts first about things you asked for.
If you pick a character, the character does the texting. On iMessage it sends you its own contact card, so its name and face are at the top of the thread.
Side by side
| App | Where you talk to it | Texts you first |
|---|---|---|
| folk | iMessage, Telegram, WhatsApp, iPhone app | Yes, for things you set up |
| Character.AI | Its website and apps | No, it stays in the app |
| Kindroid | Its app and website | No, it stays in the app |
| Nomi | Its app and website | No, it stays in the app |
| Janitor AI | Its website and apps | No, it stays in the app |
Which one should you pick?
Pick folk if the point is a friend that reaches out. Pick Character.AI if you want the widest choice of characters and do not mind opening an app. Pick Kindroid or Nomi if you want to build one companion in detail.