# textbee

> The open-source SMS gateway for developers, automations, and AI agents. Turn an Android phone you already own into an SMS gateway and send or receive text messages over a simple REST API, with no per-message gateway fees.

textbee is two parts: an Android app running on a phone you own, and a REST API at https://api.textbee.dev that your code calls. Messages travel over the phone's existing carrier plan, so there is no per-message markup and no number to rent. The whole stack is MIT licensed and can be self-hosted.

Authentication: every request carries an x-api-key header holding an API key created in the dashboard at https://app.textbee.dev/dashboard.

Send an SMS:

curl -X POST "https://api.textbee.dev/api/v1/gateway/send-sms" \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
  "message": "Your appointment is confirmed for Tuesday at 10am.",
  "recipients": [
    "+12025550123",
    "+12025550124"
  ]
}'

List messages:

curl "https://api.textbee.dev/api/v1/gateway/messages?limit=50&page=1" \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY"

## API

- [API reference](https://textbee.dev/docs/api-reference): every public endpoint with parameters, request and response fields, error codes, and a curl example.
- [OpenAPI spec](https://textbee.dev/openapi.json): the same reference as machine readable OpenAPI 3, generated from the running API.
- [Full documentation in one file](https://textbee.dev/llms-full.txt): every docs page and the whole API reference as plain text.

## Documentation

- [Overview](https://textbee.dev/docs): Welcome to textbee.dev documentation. Learn how to transform your Android device into a powerful SMS gateway for your applications.
- [Setting up textbee](https://textbee.dev/docs/getting-started/setting-up-textbee): Learn how to create your textbee.dev account and install the Android app to get started with SMS gateway functionality.
- [Registering a device](https://textbee.dev/docs/getting-started/registering-a-device): Connect your Android device using the app main screen: scan a QR code or enter your API key.
- [Reconnecting an old device](https://textbee.dev/docs/getting-started/reconnecting-an-old-device): Reconnect a device using the same flow as registering; use your existing device ID from the dashboard.
- [Sending SMS](https://textbee.dev/docs/sending-sms/sending-sms): Learn how to send individual SMS messages using the textbee.dev API with code examples in multiple programming languages.
- [Sending bulk SMS](https://textbee.dev/docs/sending-sms/sending-bulk-sms): Learn how to send personalized SMS to multiple recipients using CSV upload in the textbee.dev dashboard.
- [Receiving SMS](https://textbee.dev/docs/receiving-sms): Learn how to receive and process incoming SMS messages using the textbee.dev API and webhooks.
- [JavaScript SDK](https://textbee.dev/docs/sdk/javascript): Send SMS from Node.js and TypeScript with the official @textbee/sdk package, a zero dependency wrapper around the textbee.dev REST API.
- [Webhooks](https://textbee.dev/docs/webhooks): Learn how to configure and use webhooks to receive real-time notifications for SMS events in textbee.dev. Supports multiple webhook endpoints per account.
- [Pricing](https://textbee.dev/docs/pricing): Learn about textbee.dev pricing plans, features, and message limits for Free, Pro, and Custom plans.
- [FAQ](https://textbee.dev/docs/faq): Frequently asked questions about textbee.dev SMS gateway, setup, usage, and troubleshooting.

## Product

- [Pricing](https://textbee.dev/pricing): free tier plus paid plans with higher limits.
- [Download the Android app](https://textbee.dev/download): the app that turns the phone into the gateway.
- [SMS API playground](https://textbee.dev/playground): try the API from the browser.
- [Free tools](https://textbee.dev/tools): SMS utilities like a segment calculator and cost calculator.
- [GitHub repository](https://github.com/textbee/textbee): source code, MIT licensed.
- [@textbee/sdk on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@textbee/sdk): the official JavaScript SDK.

## Optional

- [Blog](https://textbee.dev/blog): guides and product updates.
- [SMS OTP vs Email OTP vs TOTP in 2026: Which 2FA Should You Build?](https://textbee.dev/blog/sms-otp-vs-email-otp-vs-totp): Compare SMS OTP, email OTP, TOTP (authenticator apps), and hardware keys for 2FA in 2026: security, UX, cost, and implementation. Includes a textbee OTP code example.
- [How to Receive SMS and Process Webhooks with textbee](https://textbee.dev/blog/receive-sms-webhook-android-gateway): Set up inbound SMS webhooks with textbee. Payload structure, signature verification, Node.js and Python handler examples, STOP keyword handling, OTP reply capture, and local testing with ngrok.
- [SMS for Real Estate Agents: How to Engage Buyers and Sellers by Text (2026)](https://textbee.dev/blog/sms-for-real-estate-agents): How real estate agents use SMS for listing alerts, open house reminders, showing confirmations, and fast lead follow-up from their own number. Templates and compliance included.
- [Twilio SMS Pricing 2026: The Real Monthly Cost (With Hidden Fees)](https://textbee.dev/blog/twilio-pricing-real-cost-breakdown): Twilio's $0.0079/segment headline price hides carrier fees, number rental, and 10DLC registration costs. Here's what you actually pay at 500, 2,000, and 10,000 messages/month in 2026.
- [Send SMS in Django and Flask: textbee Integration Guide](https://textbee.dev/blog/send-sms-python-django-flask): Send SMS from Django and Flask applications using textbee and your Android phone as the gateway. Service class, Celery async tasks, Django signals, Flask blueprints: zero per-message fees.
- [Best Free SMS Gateway in 2026 (No Monthly Fee, No Credit Card Trap)](https://textbee.dev/blog/free-sms-gateway): Honest comparison of free SMS gateway options in 2026: textbee, Twilio trial, Vonage sandbox, TextLocal, and more. What's actually free vs what's a trial disguised as free.
- [SMS Gateway for Raspberry Pi and Linux Servers: Alerts via Your Android Phone](https://textbee.dev/blog/sms-gateway-raspberry-pi-linux): Send SMS alerts from a Raspberry Pi or Linux server using textbee and an Android phone as the gateway. Python scripts, bash/curl one-liners, systemd services, and Uptime Kuma webhook config.
- [n8n SMS Integration with textbee: Automate SMS Without Code](https://textbee.dev/blog/n8n-sms-automation-textbee): Send SMS from n8n workflows using textbee and your Android phone as the gateway. HTTP Request node config, workflow patterns, expressions, and a full open-source self-hosted stack guide.
- [Send SMS from Laravel: Gateway, Notifications, and Queued Jobs](https://textbee.dev/blog/send-sms-laravel-php): Send SMS in Laravel using textbee and your Android phone. Covers the Http facade, a service class, a custom notification channel, and queued jobs.
- [Send SMS from Java: No Twilio, Just Your Android Phone](https://textbee.dev/blog/send-sms-from-java): Send real SMS from Java using textbee and your Android phone as the gateway. Native HttpClient, OkHttp, and Spring Boot examples, zero per-message fees.
- [Send SMS from Go: No Twilio, Just Your Android Phone](https://textbee.dev/blog/send-sms-from-go): Send real SMS from Go using textbee and your Android phone as the gateway. Native net/http, struct marshaling, error handling, and bulk send included.
- [Send SMS from PHP: No Twilio, Just Your Android Phone](https://textbee.dev/blog/send-sms-from-php): Send real SMS from PHP using textbee and your Android phone as the gateway. Native cURL, Guzzle, and Laravel Http examples: zero per-message fees.
- [Send SMS from Make.com, Zapier, and n8n with textbee](https://textbee.dev/blog/send-sms-from-make-zapier-n8n): Automate SMS without a dev team: HTTP module config, phone normalization, retry logic, and workflow patterns for Make.com, Zapier, and n8n. No code needed.
- [SMS Message Templates: 2FA, Order Updates, and Reminders](https://textbee.dev/blog/sms-message-templates-2fa-order-reminder): Ready-to-use SMS templates for 2FA, order confirmation, shipping, appointment reminders, and alerts. Copy, customize, and use with textbee.dev.
- [What Is an Android SMS Gateway? How It Works, Pros, Cons & When to Use One (2026)](https://textbee.dev/blog/what-is-an-android-sms-gateway): An Android SMS gateway turns a phone you already own into a programmable SMS sender. Learn how it works, when it beats Twilio, real costs, and setup steps.
- [Developers in Emerging Markets: Twilio Doesn't Support Your Country? textbee Works Anywhere Android Works](https://textbee.dev/blog/sms-gateway-developers-emerging-markets-twilio-unavailable): When CPaaS onboarding, pricing, or coverage blocks you, an Android phone on a SIM is often the fastest path to SMS for developers underserved by Twilio.
- [Cost-Effective SMS Solutions: Why textbee Beats Traditional SMS APIs in 2026](https://textbee.dev/blog/cost-effective-sms-solutions-textbee-vs-traditional-apis): Traditional SMS APIs charge per segment, carrier fees, number rental, and 10DLC. An Android SMS gateway like textbee replaces all that with one flat fee.
- [textbee vs Twilio: Full Comparison (2026) - Pricing, Features, Which to Pick](https://textbee.dev/blog/textbee-vs-twilio): A detailed textbee vs Twilio comparison: real 2026 pricing math, feature breakdown, migration notes, and guidance on which SMS solution fits your use case.
- [9 Best Twilio Alternatives in 2026 (Cheaper SMS APIs Compared)](https://textbee.dev/blog/twilio-alternatives): Compared: Plivo, Telnyx, Vonage, Bird, Sinch, Bandwidth, AWS SNS, ClickSend, and textbee. Real 2026 pricing, pros, and cons for each alternative.
- [SMS Appointment Reminders: A Practical Guide for Small Businesses (2026)](https://textbee.dev/blog/sms-appointment-reminders-small-business): Send appointment reminders, booking confirmations, and reschedule notices by SMS from your own number. Includes timing, templates, and compliance tips.
- [Send SMS from Node.js: No Twilio, Just Your Android Phone](https://textbee.dev/blog/send-sms-from-nodejs): Send real SMS messages from Node.js using your Android phone as the gateway. One async function, your own phone number, zero per-message fees.
- [How to Send an SMS from Your Android Phone with Python](https://textbee.dev/blog/send-sms-python-android-phone): Use a short Python script and your Android phone to send real SMS messages: no Twilio, no carrier contracts. Just textbee, requests, and a small script.
- [textbee Version 2.7.0: Enhanced Device Management, Scheduled SMS, and Improved Reliability](https://textbee.dev/blog/textbee-version-2-7-0-release): Discover the latest features in textbee version 2.7.0, including custom device names, SIM card selection, scheduled SMS sending, and improved reliability.
- [Android 15+ SEND_SMS Permission: How to Enable SMS Permissions on Android 15 & 16](https://textbee.dev/blog/android-15-send-sms-permission-guide): SMS permission greyed out on Android 15 or 16? Here's the exact fix to enable SEND_SMS and RECEIVE_SMS for sideloaded apps - in under 2 minutes.
- [Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) with textbee SMS Gateway](https://textbee.dev/blog/setup-2fa-with-textbee): A practical guide to implementing SMS-based two-factor authentication using textbee.dev. Step-by-step instructions with code examples.
- [How to Send SMS Programmatically with textbee: A Complete Guide](https://textbee.dev/blog/how-to-send-sms-programmatically-guide): Learn how to integrate textbee SMS gateway into your applications with step-by-step instructions and code examples in multiple programming languages.
- [SMS Compliance Checklist: TCPA, Opt-In, and Best Practices](https://textbee.dev/blog/sms-compliance-checklist-tcpa-opt-in): A practical SMS compliance checklist for US marketers and developers. TCPA, consent, opt-out, and how to send compliant SMS campaigns.
- [textbee.dev Use Cases](https://textbee.dev/blog/textbee-dev-use-cases): Discover how businesses and developers use textbee.dev SMS Gateway across many applications. Get inspired by these common use cases and implementations.
- [textbee.dev SMS Gateway Quickstart](https://textbee.dev/blog/textbee-dev-sms-gateway-quickstart): Get started with textbee.dev SMS Gateway in minutes. Learn to send and receive SMS using your Android phone as a gateway for your own applications.
- [Changelog](https://textbee.dev/changelog): release notes.