TextBee SMS Gateway Quickstart
Transform your Android phone into a powerful SMS gateway in just 5 minutes. Send and receive text messages programmatically through your applications with TextBee.
Our platform enables businesses and developers to implement SMS functionality without expensive telecom infrastructure. Perfect for notifications, authentication, alerts, and customer engagement.
The Simplest Way to Add SMS to Your Applications
TextBee turns any Android phone into a reliable SMS gateway, allowing you to send and receive text messages programmatically. Whether you're building a notification system, implementing two-factor authentication, or creating marketing campaigns, TextBee provides a cost-effective solution without the need for complex telecom integrations.
Follow this step-by-step guide to set up TextBee and start sending your first SMS messages in minutes. Our straightforward process requires minimal technical knowledge and works with any application or service that can make HTTP requests.
Account Setup
Begin by creating your TextBee account and installing the Android app. This setup process takes less than 2 minutes and only requires basic permissions to send and receive SMS messages.
Grant permissions
Allow SMS access in the app to enable message sending and receiving
Connect Your Device
Link your Android phone to your TextBee account to establish the SMS gateway connection. This secure connection allows your applications to send messages through your phone.
QR Code Method
Recommended- Go to TextBee Dashboard
- Click "Register Device"
- Scan QR with app
Manual Method
- Generate API key from dashboard
- Open TextBee app
- Enter the API key
Send Your First SMS
Start sending SMS messages through TextBee using either our intuitive dashboard or direct API integration. Both methods provide reliable message delivery with delivery status tracking.
Dashboard Method
- Go to "Send SMS" section
- Enter recipient(s)
- Type your message
- Click "Send"
API Method
fetch("https://api.textbee.dev/api/v1/gateway/devices/{ID}/send-sms", {
method: 'POST',
headers: {
'Content-Type': 'application/json',
'x-api-key': API_KEY,
},
body: JSON.stringify({
recipients: ['+1234567890'],
message: 'Hello!'
})
})With TextBee, your messages are sent directly through your Android device, using your existing mobile plan. This keeps costs low while maintaining high deliverability rates across all carriers.
Receive SMS Messages
Enable two-way communication by configuring TextBee to forward incoming SMS messages to your application. This is essential for interactive workflows, verification codes, and customer engagement.
Enable in App
- Open the TextBee App
- Go to Settings
- Toggle "Receive SMS" on
Retrieve via API
fetch("https://api.textbee.dev/api/v1/gateway/devices/{ID}/get-received-sms", {
headers: { 'x-api-key': API_KEY }
})Received messages are securely forwarded to TextBee's servers and can be accessed via the dashboard, API, or automatically sent to your webhook endpoints for real-time processing.
Advanced Features
Once you've mastered the basics, explore TextBee's advanced capabilities to enhance your SMS integration. These features help scale your messaging operations and automate complex workflows.
Bulk SMS
Send to multiple recipients with a single API call for efficient message broadcasting
Webhooks
Configure event-driven notifications for real-time updates on message status
Multiple Devices
Connect several phones to increase throughput and add redundancy
Self-hosting
Deploy TextBee on your own infrastructure for complete control
TextBee Pro
Upgrade to TextBee Pro for enhanced features and priority support.
Cancel anytime. No long-term contracts.
Why Choose TextBee SMS Gateway?
Cost-Effective SMS Solution
TextBee eliminates the need for expensive SMS API services or telecom contracts. By using your existing phone and mobile plan, you can send SMS messages at standard rates without additional per-message fees from third-party providers.
Easy Integration
Our RESTful API makes integration simple for developers using any programming language. TextBee works seamlessly with web applications, mobile apps, and backend services through standard HTTP requests.
Perfect For
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) - Secure user accounts with SMS verification codes
- Appointment reminders - Reduce no-shows with automated SMS notifications
- Order updates - Keep customers informed about their purchases
- Marketing campaigns - Engage customers with promotional messages
- Alerts and notifications - Send time-sensitive information instantly