Reconnecting an old device

Reconnecting links the textbee app to a device that already exists in your account. You use the same QR code or API key flow as a new registration, and you also enter the existing Device ID. The phone then continues as the same device, with the same history.

When to reconnect

Reconnect when the phone was registered before and one of these happened:

• You reinstalled the app or cleared its data.
• You reset the phone.
• You tapped Disconnect Device in the app.
• You revoked the API key the phone used.

Reconnect or register a new device?

Reconnect when it is the same phone, or a replacement phone that takes over the same role. Register a new device when you add a phone to your setup.

Find the Device ID

Open the dashboard and find the device in the Devices panel. Click the copy button next to it to copy the Device ID. The API also returns it as _id in GET /gateway/devices.

Option 1: Reconnect with a QR code

1. In the dashboard, click Add a device and then Continue, or click Generate API Key in the API Keys panel. A QR code appears.
2. Open the textbee app and tap Reconnect a device.
3. On Connect your account, tap Scan QR Code and scan the QR code.
4. On Reconnect your device, paste the Device ID. Change the device name if you want to.
5. Tap Reconnect Device, then grant the permissions and tap Continue.

Option 2: Reconnect with an API key

1. In the dashboard, copy an active API key, or create one with Generate API Key.
2. Open the app and tap Reconnect a device.
3. Tap Enter manually instead, paste the key in the API Key field and tap Next.
4. Paste the Device ID and tap Reconnect Device.
5. Grant the permissions and tap Continue.

If you tapped Get Started by mistake, you can still reconnect. On Set up your device, turn on This device was previously registered and enter the Device ID.

Check the result in the Devices panel. The device shows a recent heartbeat after the phone reports.

What Disconnect Device does

Settings > Disconnect Device in the app removes the credentials from the phone. The app shows: "This will remove all credentials from this device. You'll need to reconnect to use the gateway."

After you disconnect:

• The phone forgets its Device ID and API key, and it stops sending heartbeats.
• The app returns to the first setup screen.
• The device stays on your account with its message history. It is not deleted, and it is not disabled.

A disconnected device that is still enabled counts toward your plan's active device limit. It can still be your default device, and textbee can still pick it for a send. Before you disconnect a phone for good, turn off Gateway Enabled in the app Settings. That disables the device on your account. After a disconnect, the app can no longer change the device, so your options are in the dashboard: click Set as default on another device, or Delete the disconnected one (this also removes its messages from your history).

Troubleshooting

• The device still looks offline. Check the phone's internet connection, open the app, and confirm the SMS permissions. Then open Settings > Device health and tap Send heartbeat. Keep the phone online covers phones that Android stops in the background.
• "Active device limit reached". Your plan has no free slot for another active device. Turn off Gateway Enabled in the app on a phone you do not use, delete a device in the dashboard, or upgrade. The pricing page lists the limits.
• The Device ID is not accepted. Check that the API key and the device belong to the same account. If the device was deleted, register the phone as a new device.

Next steps

• Devices
• Sending SMS
• Webhooks
• FAQ