FAQ - General ❓
How to hide messages on the device? 🙈
Due to technical limitations (since Android 4.4 KitKat), SMS Gateway cannot delete messages, and messages are always displayed in the default SMS app.
Making SMS Gateway the default SMS app can solve this problem, but we intentionally avoid implementing message hiding to prevent spyware behavior and maintain transparency.
Recommendation
- Restrict physical access to the phone
- Set a strong PIN code
- Use a dedicated Android device
Can I send MMS messages? 📸
No, the app does not support MMS messages. The app follows the principle of "do one thing, do it well".
Does the app support Android 15? 🤖
Yes, but due to changes in the Android 15 permissions model, manual permission setup is required:
- Install the latest app version
- Grant SMS permissions via ADB or via the Settings app
- Reboot device
Community Contribution
Special thanks to @mabushey for solution!
Issue #184
How can I send an SMS using the second SIM card? 📱📱
Please refer to the Multi-SIM Support section.
Does the app require power saving mode to be turned off to function without interruptions? 🔋
Local Mode 🏠
- Power saving settings:
The app provides an option to disable battery optimizations directly from the Settings tab under the "System" section. This helps ensure uninterrupted operation.
The app also uses a foreground service with a wake lock, which allows it to function reliably even with power-saving mode enabled. - Battery impact:
Using a wake lock and disabling battery optimizations may lead to increased battery consumption.
Cloud Mode ☁️
- Power saving settings:
Similar to Local Mode, disabling battery optimizations can enhance reliability. However, the app primarily relies on Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) push notifications, which functions without requiring power-saving mode to be turned off. - Potential delays:
High message rates could cause occasional delays when the device is in power-saving mode due to FCM's limitations on high-priority notifications.
Recommendation
- Testing:
Test the app with and without battery optimizations disabled to evaluate its performance on your device and Android version. - Device manufacturers:
Behavior may vary depending on the device manufacturer and specific Android customizations. - Local + Cloud:
For maximum responsiveness, consider using a local server alongside the cloud connection. - Don't Kill My App:
Follow the Don't Kill My App guide to ensure the app is not killed by the operating system.
How do I enable or disable delivery reports for messages? 📨✅
{
"message": "Your OTP: 1234",
"phoneNumbers": ["+1234567890"],
"withDeliveryReport": false
}
Can I use long or non-standard phone numbers? #️⃣
By default, the app requires the phone number to be in E.164 compatible format. You can bypass this requirement by using the skipPhoneValidation query parameter:
How can I avoid mobile operator restrictions? 🚫
Settings Path:
Settings → Messages → "Delay between messages"
The random delay can be introduced between messages by specifying a minimum and maximum time. This helps to reduce the likelihood of messages being flagged as spam by simulating a more human-like sending pattern.
Settings Path:
Settings → Messages → Limits
The app offers a feature to restrict the number of messages sent within a specified period—be it a minute, hour, or day. When the limit is reached, the app will pause sending messages until the limit period resets.
Caution
This feature should not be used for time-sensitive messages, such as sending authorization codes, where delays could cause issues.
Settings Path:
Settings → Messages → "If SIM number is not specified"
The app provides a feature to rotate between multiple SIM cards automatically, avoiding reaching SIM limits.
How can I check the online status of the device? 📶
Local mode
Attempting to connect to the device's API directly can give you an immediate sense of its online status. Accessing the /health endpoint is a straightforward way to do this.
Cloud mode
The app operates asynchronously, relying on PUSH notifications rather than maintaining a continuous connection to the server. You can use the GET /device endpoint to obtain some information about the device's state. The response includes a lastSeen field, showing the last time the device connected to the server. Due to the app's idle mode behavior, the device may only connect to the server once every 15 minutes, meaning the lastSeen time may not always represent the current status.
Any mode
Irrespective of the mode, you can register a system:ping webhook to monitor the device's online status. This webhook will notify your server about the status of the app at user-defined intervals, set within the app's Settings on the device. This feature offers a proactive approach to track connectivity and ensure the device is functioning as expected across any operational mode.
Caution
Using the ping feature will increase battery usage. It's important to balance the need for frequent status updates with the impact on device battery life, especially if the device is expected to operate for extended periods without charging.
Can I send SMS with a custom sender name? 📛
The app uses your SIM card to send messages, so by default, it uses the same sender information as your phone's default messaging app (usually your phone number). Any changes to the sender name would need to be set up through your carrier, not within the app itself.
Carrier-Dependent
Contact your mobile provider for:
- Alphanumeric Sender ID services
- Business SMS solutions
How do I change my password? 🔑
| Mode | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Local | Server Config |
| Cloud/Private | Password Management |
Does the app support RCS messaging? 💬
Currently, the app does not support RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging. It is recommended to disable RCS in Google Messages to avoid issues.
Reasons
- No public API from Google
- Fragmented ecosystem (Samsung/Apple)
- No standardization for third-party apps