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Freshchat allows you to use SMS to send and receive text messages for business communications using Twilio. You can add new phone numbers or import your existing numbers from Twilio within Fredesk Messaging. For a general overview of SMS, check Getting Started with SMS.


Prerequisites:

  1. Make sure you have an active Twilio account.
  2. Ensure that you have phone numbers in your Twilio account.
  3. If your customer base is in the US, it's essential to have a registered 10 DLC number in your Twilio account. Sending messages to US phone numbers is possible exclusively through these registered DLC phone numbers. You can find the registration steps here
    If you do not have a Twilio account, you can sign up for one easily here.

This article contains:

  1. Adding numbers from Twilio
  2. Troubleshooting Twilio Errors

Adding numbers from Twilio

To add numbers from Twilio:

  1. Log in to Freshchat as admin.
  2. Go to Admin > Integrations > SMS.
  3. Click Add Numbers and then click Add from Twilio.
  4. Enter the following details:
    FieldDescription
    Account NameEnter the name of your Twilio account.

    This is just an alias that can be changed anytime.
    Account SIDEnter your Twilio account's SID.
    You will find this in your Twilio account under Account > Key & Credentials >  API keys & tokens > Live Credentials > Account SID.
    Auth TokenEnter your Twilio account's auth token.
    You will find this in your Twilio account under Account > Key & Credentials >  API keys & tokens > Live Credentials > Auth Token.

  5. Click Next.
    Once the authentication is successful, you can proceed to the next steps. Check the FAQs below to troubleshoot authentication errors.

  6. Select the phone numbers from your Twilio account to enable SMS. You can choose to add multiple numbers.
    If you do not have any numbers, you can buy new numbers directly from Twilo.

  7. Finally, click Complete Setup. You can now use the added phone numbers to send and receive text messages.

Sending and Receiving Messages on Twilio

Once you add phone numbers from your Twilio account, you can send and receive text messages to and from your customers. Twilio supports phone numbers from many countries around the world. You can check their website for details.


Agents can view the SMS conversations in the team inbox and easily respond to customer queries.


Text message restrictions:

  1. Each message can have 160 characters. If you enter a longer message, the message will be split and sent. For example, if you type a 161-character message, it will be split into two messages; one of 153 characters, and one of 8 characters.
  2. Currently, SMS on Freshchat allows only text messages and links. You cannot send MMS.

Note:

SMS Messages sent from International Long codes to UK Mobile Numbers have been blocked from June 1,2023

  • Effective July 3, 2023, all messaging traffic from International Long Codes to British Telecom (BT) in the U.K. has been blocked.
  • Effective August 1, 2023, all traffic from International Long Codes to SKY in the U.K. will be charged at a new rate of £0.07 per message segment. 
  • Effective September 1, 2023, all traffic from International Long Codes to SKY in the U.K. will be blocked.

    Reason of blocking - U.K. network operators consider the use of International Long Codes for Application-To-Person (A2P) SMS as an abuse of Person-To-Person (P2P) routes. SMS messages to the U.K. must be sent with an Alphanumeric Sender ID, a domestic Long Code, or a Short Code.

For Guidelines, Please refer here

How to register a 10 DLC twilio number?

  • You can register it directly from your twilio console. Check this article for more details. 
  • We intend to receive '30034' error code which arises when the messages are sent from an unregistered 10 DLC number to a US end customer. If you are looking to send messages to US customers, it's advised to use registered 10 DLC numbers. 
  • It's also recommended to use toll free numbers to send messages as it doesn't have any restrictions. For any queries around registering a twilio number, Please reach out to twilio support.


Troubleshooting Twilio Errors

1. I am unable to send/receive SMS.

  • Check if the Twilio account is connected.
  • Check if the added phone number status is active.
  • Check if you have enough credit in your Twilio account.
  • Check if the destination country where SMS is sent is supported for SMS via Twilio and Global SMS is available on the phone number. For more details, check this article. 

2. My messages are undelivered.

     Check this article to troubleshoot and fix Twilio undelivered messages.

3. How do I find my SID and auth token to connect to my Twilio account? 

    Check the section above.

4. I do not have a Twilio account? How can I create one? 

    It's easy to sign up for Twilio. Please check their Sign up page. 

5. What are the limitations on Twilio Free Trial accounts? ? 

     Twilio free accounts have some restrictions. Check this article to know the limitations.

6. Can I use phone numbers from my Freshcaller account? 

     No, currently this is not possible but will be available soon.

7. Can I send global SMS on Twilio Trial accounts?  

    Twilio sets no additional restriction for Global SMS on trial accounts. Check this article for more details.