Filter incoming SMS on the phone
Use SMS filters in the textbee Android app to forward only the incoming messages you need, with allow list or block list rules on sender and text.
Updated
SMS filters decide on the phone which incoming SMS the textbee app forwards to your account. A filtered message never leaves the phone, so it never appears in your message history or in webhooks. Use filters to forward only the messages your integration needs, for example codes from one short code.
Where to find filters
- Open the textbee app on the phone.
- Go to Settings. In the SMS section, tap Configure Filters ("Allow/block list for incoming SMS").
- The SMS Filters screen opens.
Filters apply only to incoming SMS. They do not change what the phone sends.
Turn filtering on
Turn on Enable SMS Filtering ("Filter incoming SMS based on rules below"). When it is off, the app forwards every incoming SMS and ignores the rules.
When it is on, pick a mode:
| Mode | App text | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Allow List | "Only SMS matching a rule will be forwarded" | The app forwards a message only if at least one rule matches it. |
| Block List | "SMS matching a rule will be blocked" | The app forwards every message except those that match a rule. |
Block List is the default mode.
With no rules, the app forwards every message, in both modes. An empty Allow List does not block anything. Add at least one rule before you rely on it.
Rule fields
Tap + to add a rule. The Add Rule dialog has four fields.
| Field | Values | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Text | none | The text to look for. Leading and trailing spaces are removed. Plain text only, no wildcards or regular expressions. |
| Filter Target | Sender, Message, Both | Sender | What the pattern is checked against. Both matches when the sender or the message text matches. |
| Match Type | Exact, Starts with, Ends with, Contains | Contains | How the pattern is compared with the target. |
| Case sensitive | On, Off | Off | When off, upper and lower case letters are treated the same. |
Match types in detail:
| Match Type | A rule matches when the target |
|---|---|
| Exact | is equal to the pattern |
| Starts with | begins with the pattern |
| Ends with | ends with the pattern |
| Contains | includes the pattern anywhere |
The sender is the address Android reports for the message. For a normal number it is usually in E.164 form, such as +12015550123. For a short code it is the digits, and for a business sender it can be a text name. Check a received message in your message history to see the exact sender value before you write a sender rule.
Tap a rule to open Edit Rule. Tap the delete icon on a rule to delete it. Changes apply to the next incoming SMS.
Examples
Only codes from one short code
Forward only verification messages from the short code 55501.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Mode | Allow List |
| Pattern | 55501 |
| Filter Target | Sender |
| Match Type | Exact |
Every other message stays on the phone.
Block personal contacts
The phone has a SIM that friends also text. Keep their messages off your account.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Mode | Block List |
| Rule 1 | Pattern +12015550123, Filter Target Sender, Match Type Exact |
| Rule 2 | Pattern +12015550124, Filter Target Sender, Match Type Exact |
Add one rule per number. Messages from all other senders are forwarded.
Only messages that contain a keyword
Forward only messages that contain the word STOP or JOIN, from any sender.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Mode | Allow List |
| Rule 1 | Pattern STOP, Filter Target Message, Match Type Contains, Case sensitive off |
| Rule 2 | Pattern JOIN, Filter Target Message, Match Type Contains, Case sensitive off |
In an Allow List, a message is forwarded when any one rule matches. Rules do not combine with "and".
How filters work with Receive SMS
The app checks two settings for each incoming SMS, in this order:
- Receive SMS in Settings. When it is off, the app forwards nothing and the filters do not run.
- SMS Filters. When filtering is on and rules exist, the rules decide.
So filters only narrow what Receive SMS already forwards. To stop all forwarding, turn off Receive SMS. See Receiving SMS.
Filters live on the phone only. They are not stored on your account, and each phone has its own rules. If you use several phones, set the filters on each one.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a filtered message back later?
No. The app does not upload a filtered message, so textbee never has it. The message stays in the phone's own SMS inbox.
Does a filtered message count against my plan?
No. textbee only counts messages it receives from the phone. A filtered message never reaches textbee.
Can I use a regular expression?
No. Patterns are plain text. Use Starts with, Ends with or Contains for partial matches, and add several rules for several values.
Can I manage filters from the dashboard or the API?
No. Filters are set in the app on each phone.
Next steps
- Receiving SMS: turn on forwarding and choose webhook or polling
- Message history and polling: check the
sendervalues you get - Webhook events reference: the
MESSAGE_RECEIVEDpayload - Managing devices: run several phones on one account