How to Send an SMS (Step by Step)
Step 1 — Choose a sending mode:
From your messaging dashboard, choose Send Single SMS to message one recipient,
or Send Bulk SMS to message a list of numbers at once.
Step 2 — Enter the recipient(s):
For a single message, enter one phone number in E.164 format (e.g. +1234567890), including the country code.
For bulk, paste one number per line — the recipient counter will confirm how many you're about to reach.
Step 3 — Write your message:
Type your message, up to 1600 characters. The character counter shows how close you are to the limit
as you type.
Step 4 — Review the cost:
Each SMS sent deducts a small amount from your account balance. If your balance is too low to
cover the send, the system will stop you before anything is sent rather than charging a partial amount.
Step 5 — Send:
Click Send SMS (or Send Bulk SMS). For large bulk sends, you can optionally enable
Send asynchronously to queue the batch for background processing instead of waiting for it to finish live.
Step 6 — Check delivery status:
Open your Message Logs to see each message's status — Sent, Failed, or Pending — along with
the reason for any failure.
Step 7 — Review recent activity:
Your messaging overview page shows a quick summary of totals (sent, failed, pending) and your
most recent messages at a glance.
General Questions
What's the difference between Single and Bulk SMS? +
Single SMS sends one message to one recipient — best for quick, individual sends.
Bulk SMS sends the same message to a list of recipients at once, ideal for announcements or
broadcasts to many people at the same time.
Can I schedule messages or send them later? +
The asynchronous option on bulk sends queues your batch for background processing so you don't
have to wait for it to finish, but it starts right away rather than at a future scheduled time.
Is there a limit to how many recipients I can send to at once? +
You can send to as many recipients as your list contains and your balance can cover. Very large
batches are processed in smaller chunks in the background to keep delivery reliable.
Delivery & Sending Issues
Why did my message fail with an "Invalid destination" or similar error? +
This usually means the recipient number isn't formatted correctly. Double-check that it's in
full E.164 format — a "+", the country code, then the number, with no spaces or leading zeros
(e.g. +254712345678, not 0712345678).
Why does my message fail because of the sender ID? +
Some countries don't allow letters in a sender ID (an "alphanumeric" sender) and require a real
phone number to send from instead. If your message fails for this reason, leave the "From Number"
field empty so the system uses your default number, or use a number valid for that destination country.
Why am I seeing "Message body invalid" or similar content errors? +
Certain destinations restrict message content — for example some networks block links, certain
keywords, or messages that look like spam. Try simplifying the message text and resending.
My message shows "Pending" — what does that mean? +
Pending means the message has been accepted and is on its way, but a final delivery confirmation
hasn't come back yet. This usually resolves within a few moments; check your Message Logs again shortly.
Balance & Payment Support
How much does each SMS cost? +
Each SMS deducts a fixed amount from your account balance in your account's currency. You're only
charged for messages that actually send — failed messages aren't charged.
How do I add funds to my account balance? +
You can add funds by navigating to the top-up or recharge section.
Select your preferred payment method, complete the transaction, and your balance will be updated automatically once payment is confirmed.
Why was I blocked from sending a bulk batch? +
Before starting a bulk send, the system checks that your balance can cover every recipient in the
worst case. If your balance is too low for the full batch, sending is blocked up front so you're
never left with a partially-sent batch and an empty balance.
Why was my payment not reflected in my balance? +
In rare cases, payment processing delays may occur due to gateway verification or network latency.
If your balance does not update within a few minutes, please contact support with your transaction reference for manual verification.