Channels
Texting and carrier registration
How text messaging works, why US carriers require registration before the AI can reply, toll-free versus local numbers, and how long each takes.
Text messages reach the same receptionist as calls. Receiving texts works as soon as you have a number. Sending automated replies needs US carrier registration. Until it is approved, your number receives texts and stores them, and the app shows "warming up". Nothing is dropped and no raw carrier error is shown.
What you need first#
- A phone number. See phone numbers.
- Complete business details under Settings → Messaging: business structure, legal business name, EIN, address and a contact person. Carriers review these.
- An active subscription. Registration is submitted for you once your details are complete and your plan is active.
If you skipped the EIN during setup, you can reserve a number and use voice now. Business texting waits for your EIN. A sole proprietor with no EIN should choose a toll-free number.
Toll-free or local#
Toll-free (833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888) | Local (10DLC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier process | One verification submission | Business profile, brand, then campaign |
| Typical time | A few business days | Weeks |
| Registration fee | None | Brand and campaign fees |
| Caller ID feel | Reads as a business | Local area code customers recognize |
| Needs an EIN | No | Yes for a business brand. Sole proprietors use a one-number, low-volume path. |
| Unverified traffic | Blocked outright | Throttled by trust score |
Choose toll-free if you want texting live this week, or you have no EIN. Choose local if a local area code matters to your customers and you can wait. You can have both. Approval on either lets the AI send texts.
Register a texting number#
Open Settings → Channels → Texts. The panel offers two choices:
- Local number (10DLC). A local area code. Carriers review your business first.
- Toll-free number. An 8XX number. It needs a picture of where your customers agree to receive texts.
For toll-free, upload an opt-in screenshot or PDF (PNG, JPEG or PDF, under 500 KB) that shows the consent language beside the phone field on your site.
What gets a toll-free verification approved#
- The opt-in evidence is what actually gets reviewed. A missing or unconvincing screenshot is the most common rejection. The image must visibly show the consent language next to the phone number field. The page it comes from must be publicly reachable with no login.
- Your website must be live and match your business. A parked domain or "coming soon" page is rejected. The consent language on your site should match the screenshot.
- Sample messages must look like your real traffic. Include your business name and a STOP and HELP reference. Generic filler is rejected.
- Volume is a bucket. Choose a realistic one. For a front desk, 1,000 is realistic. Overstating invites scrutiny.
- A rejection is not the end. Fix the reason shown in the app and resubmit.
- Verification is per number. A second toll-free number needs its own verification.
STOP and HELP#
Customers who reply STOP are unsubscribed automatically, and HELP gets a standard reply. These compliance replies are free and do not spend AI tokens.
Checks#
- The panel shows Registration status as approved, and the number shows as able to send.
- Text your number from your phone. The AI replies, and the exchange appears in Inbox → Messages.
Tokens#
Each AI text costs 2 tokens. See AI tokens.