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Twilio Voice is a powerful and exciting tool to help you do things like make monkeys talk to you
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Frequent SMS Questions Can I use my Twilio number for SMS?
Yes, if your number is a non-toll-free US number, it can send and receive SMS messages within the US and Canada. To send SMS internationally from these numbers, sign up for the international SMS beta. Canadian numbers, US toll-free numbers, and phone numbers from other countries currently cannot send SMS.
Can I get a non-US number from Twilio for my SMS app?
No, at this time we support SMS applications on non-toll-free US numbers only.
Can I send or receive text messages with a Twilio toll-free phone number?
No. Because of a limitation in the toll-free number system, these numbers are not able to send or receive SMS messages. When making an SMS app with Twilio, you must use a non-toll-free phone number.
How does the Twilio Sandbox number work?
The Twilio Sandbox number is available for you to use while your account is in trial mode. After you upgrade, you may still use this number, but the same limitations will apply. SMS Inbound: When sending a text message to the Twilio Sandbox, you must prepend your messages with your 8-digit PIN. To send responses, you can configure the SMS URL for your sandbox number. See the TwiML SMS documentation for more information about responding to incoming SMS messages. SMS Outbound: If you send a message using the Twilio Sandbox number as the "From" parameter, messages will begin with the notification "Sent from the Twilio Sandbox Number." When sending a message using the Twilio Sandbox number, you may only send SMS messages to phone numbers that you've verified with Twilio. You can verify phone numbers on the phone numbers page in your account portal.
I've upgraded my account. Why am I getting an error messages saying I need to include a PIN? You are still using the sandbox phone number. After upgrading your account, the sandbox continues to work as it did before upgrading. Now that you have upgraded, you can purchase a Twilio number to send and receive SMS messages without restrictions.
Can I specify the phone number a recipient sees when getting an SMS from my Twilio app?
No. Due to anti-spam regulations, the number a user sees when you send an SMS using your application must be the same Twilio number associated with that app. This differs from voice calls, where it is possible to display a verified caller ID other than your Twilio number.
Billing and Pricing Does it cost anything additional to SMS-enable my Twilio number?
No, Twilio SMS is a pay-as-you-go feature just like voice minutes. You are only billed for SMS messages that you send or receive with your Twilio numbers.
Will I be charged for text messages sent to a Twilio number that I have not enabled for SMS?
No, you will only be charged for incoming SMS messages if you SMS-enable your phone number by providing a handler URL on the phone numbers page of your Twilio account portal.
If someone sends a huge number of SMS messages to my phone number will I be billed?
Yes, if Twilio makes a request to your SMS URL then you will be billed. If you are concerned about unexpectedly high message volumes, you can always disable the SMS URL on your phone number (either manually or automatically via the REST API) and Twilio will stop making requests to your application.
If I port my number to Twilio, will I be able to SMS-enable it? Yes, as long as it is a non-toll-free US phone number.
Functionality
How fast can I send SMS messages?
Each of your Twilio SMS-enabled phone numbers can send SMS messages at a rate of at most one message per second. You can make requests to Twilio as fast as you like, and Twilio will queue the messages, releasing them at a rate of one message per second. It is not possible to adjust this rate.
How fast can I receive and reply to SMS messages?
There is no rate limit on how many messages your phone number can receive. Replies are subject to the one message per second limit, and will be queued.
Can I send or receive MMS messages? Nope, just SMS for now.
Can my Twilio number send SMS to a non-Twilio short code? No. Twilio numbers cannot send messages to a non-Twilio short code.
Can Twilio numbers receive SMS from a non-Twilio short code? No. Twilio numbers cannot receive messages from a non-Twilio short code.
Can I buy a short code with Twilio?
Yes. If you are interested, learn more about Twilio short codes.
What can't I do with SMS?
Twilio SMS is designed to enhance and augment person to person communications. You may not send unsolicited text messages. Also, the MMA has developed a set of guidelines that may be helpful in understanding best practices for SMS applications. To learn more, please read our Acceptable Use Policy.
HOW CAN WE HELP? Our support team loves you Help Content Getting Started Twilio Basics Voice SMS Client International Porting Short Codes Report a violation Talk to support
SMS
It’s easy to get started wtih Twilio. If you are having trouble finding what you need you can always ask us for help.
Frequent SMS Questions
Can I use my Twilio number for SMS?
Yes, if your number is a non-toll-free US number, it can send and receive SMS messages within the US and Canada. To send SMS internationally from these numbers, sign up for the international...
Can I get a non-US number from Twilio for my SMS app?
No, at this time we support SMS applications on non-toll-free US numbers only.
Can I send or receive text messages with a Twilio toll-free phone number?
No. Because of a limitation in the toll-free number system, these numbers are not able to send or receive SMS messages. When making an SMS app with Twilio, you must use a non-toll-free phone number.
How does the Twilio Sandbox number work?
The Twilio Sandbox number is available for you to use while your account is in trial mode. After you upgrade, you may still use this number, but the same limitations will apply...
I've upgraded my account. Why am I getting an error messages saying I need to include a PIN?
You are still using the sandbox phone number. After upgrading your account, the sandbox continues to work as it did before upgrading. Now that you have upgraded, you can purchase a Twilio number to send and receive SMS messages without restrictions.
Can I specify the phone number a recipient sees when getting an SMS from my Twilio app?
No. Due to anti-spam regulations, the number a user sees when you send an SMS using your application must be the same Twilio number associated with that app. This differs from voice calls, where it is possible to display a verified...
Billing and Pricing
Does it cost anything additional to SMS-enable my Twilio number?
No, Twilio SMS is a pay-as-you-go feature just like voice minutes. You are only billed for SMS messages that you send or receive with your Twilio numbers.
Will I be charged for text messages sent to a Twilio number that I have not enabled for SMS?
No, you will only be charged for incoming SMS messages if you SMS-enable your phone number by providing a handler URL on the phone numbers page of your Twilio account portal.
If someone sends a huge number of SMS messages to my phone number will I be billed?
Yes, if Twilio makes a request to your SMS URL then you will be billed. If you are concerned about unexpectedly high message volumes, you can always disable the SMS URL on your phone number (either manually or automatically...
If I port my number to Twilio, will I be able to SMS-enable it? Yes, as long as it is a non-toll-free US phone number.
Functionality
How fast can I send SMS messages?
Each of your Twilio SMS-enabled phone numbers can send SMS messages at a rate of at most one message per second. You can make requests to Twilio as fast as you like, and Twilio will queue ...
How fast can I receive and reply to SMS messages?
There is no rate limit on how many messages your phone number can receive. Replies are subject to the one message per second limit, and will be queued.
Can I send or receive MMS messages? Nope, just SMS for now.
Can my Twilio number send SMS to a non-Twilio short code? No. Twilio numbers cannot send messages to a non-Twilio short code.
Can Twilio numbers receive SMS from a non-Twilio short code? No. Twilio numbers cannot receive messages from a non-Twilio short code.
Can I buy a short code with Twilio?
Yes. If you are interested, learn more about Twilio short codes.
What can't I do with SMS?
Twilio SMS is designed to enhance and augment person to person communications. You may not send unsolicited text messages. Also, the MMA has developed a set of guidelines that may be helpful in understanding best....t
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HOW CAN WE HELP? Our support team loves you Help Content Getting Started Twilio Basics Voice SMS Client International Porting Short Codes Report a violation Talk to support
SMS
It’s easy to get started wtih Twilio. If you are having trouble finding what you need you can always ask us for help.
Frequent SMS Questions
Can I use my Twilio number for SMS?
Yes, if your number is a non-toll-free US number, it can send and receive SMS messages within the US and Canada. To send SMS internationally from these numbers, sign up for the international...
Can I get a non-US number from Twilio for my SMS app?
No, at this time we support SMS applications on non-toll-free US numbers only.
Can I send or receive text messages with a Twilio toll-free phone number?
No. Because of a limitation in the toll-free number system, these numbers are not able to send or receive SMS messages. When making an SMS app with Twilio, you must use a non-toll-free phone number.
How does the Twilio Sandbox number work?
The Twilio Sandbox number is available for you to use while your account is in trial mode. After you upgrade, you may still use this number, but the same limitations will apply...
I've upgraded my account. Why am I getting an error messages saying I need to include a PIN?
You are still using the sandbox phone number. After upgrading your account, the sandbox continues to work as it did before upgrading. Now that you have upgraded, you can purchase a Twilio number to send and receive SMS messages without restrictions.
Can I specify the phone number a recipient sees when getting an SMS from my Twilio app?
No. Due to anti-spam regulations, the number a user sees when you send an SMS using your application must be the same Twilio number associated with that app. This differs from voice calls, where it is possible to display a verified...
Billing and Pricing
Does it cost anything additional to SMS-enable my Twilio number?
No, Twilio SMS is a pay-as-you-go feature just like voice minutes. You are only billed for SMS messages that you send or receive with your Twilio numbers.
Will I be charged for text messages sent to a Twilio number that I have not enabled for SMS?
No, you will only be charged for incoming SMS messages if you SMS-enable your phone number by providing a handler URL on the phone numbers page of your Twilio account portal.
If someone sends a huge number of SMS messages to my phone number will I be billed?
Yes, if Twilio makes a request to your SMS URL then you will be billed. If you are concerned about unexpectedly high message volumes, you can always disable the SMS URL on your phone number (either manually or automatically...
If I port my number to Twilio, will I be able to SMS-enable it? Yes, as long as it is a non-toll-free US phone number.
Functionality
How fast can I send SMS messages?
Each of your Twilio SMS-enabled phone numbers can send SMS messages at a rate of at most one message per second. You can make requests to Twilio as fast as you like, and Twilio will queue ...
How fast can I receive and reply to SMS messages?
There is no rate limit on how many messages your phone number can receive. Replies are subject to the one message per second limit, and will be queued.
Can I send or receive MMS messages? Nope, just SMS for now.
Can my Twilio number send SMS to a non-Twilio short code? No. Twilio numbers cannot send messages to a non-Twilio short code.
Can Twilio numbers receive SMS from a non-Twilio short code? No. Twilio numbers cannot receive messages from a non-Twilio short code.
Can I buy a short code with Twilio?
Yes. If you are interested, learn more about Twilio short codes.
What can't I do with SMS?
Twilio SMS is designed to enhance and augment person to person communications. You may not send unsolicited text messages. Also, the MMA has developed a set of guidelines that may be helpful in understanding best....t
