SMS (Android)

Learn how to connect your Android phone to WhatSnap for sending and receiving SMS through GoHighLevel using peer-to-peer messaging with your personal number.

Connect your Android phone to WhatSnap to send and receive SMS messages directly through GoHighLevel. This personal device integration (P2P) gives you the power of your own phone number combined with GHL's automation capabilities—perfect for local outreach, database reactivations, and relationship-based messaging.

Personal Device Power: Using your own Android phone for SMS allows you to leverage your personal or business number with carrier-level deliverability, all managed through GoHighLevel.

Important Usage Guidelines:

  • SMS accounts are designed for relationship-based messaging, not spam or mass marketing

  • Start slow and warm up your SIM card to avoid carrier blocks

  • Recommended approach: 1 message per minute maximum once warmed up

  • Your Android device must remain powered on and connected to the internet for messages to send/receive

  • Best suited for: Database reactivations, sales follow-ups, customer service, local outreach

Prerequisites

Before connecting your Android device to WhatSnap, ensure you have:

  • ✅ Android Phone with Android 9.0 or higher

  • ✅ 2 GB RAM minimum (4 GB recommended for optimal performance)

  • ✅ Active SIM card with SMS capability

  • ✅ Working camera for QR code scanning during login

  • ✅ WhatSnap account connected to your GoHighLevel sub-account

  • ✅ Stable internet connection (WiFi or mobile data)

Hardware Requirements: Not sure if your device is compatible? Check our SMS Device Specifications guide for detailed hardware requirements, recommended phone models, and SIM plan recommendations.

Overview: How SMS Integration Works

Quick Start Guide

1

Choose Your SIM Plan

Select an appropriate SMS plan with unlimited or high-volume SMS capability. Most countries offer plans for around $10-20/month.

Key Considerations:

  • Choose unlimited SMS plans when available

  • Direct carrier plans typically have fewer restrictions than resellers

  • Check fair use policies before purchasing

See our SIM Plan Recommendations for country-specific providers.

2

Prepare Your Android Device

Before installing the WhatSnap gateway app, configure your device settings:

  1. Disable Play Protect (prevents installation blocking)

  2. Turn off RCS (Rich Communication Services) - see RCS Settings

  3. Enable app permissions for SMS, Phone, and Camera

  4. Configure power settings to prevent the app from sleeping

Full instructions: SMS Installation & Setup

3

Install WhatSnap Gateway App

  1. Download the WhatSnap Gateway APK from your WhatSnap dashboard

  2. Install the app on your Android device

  3. Grant all required permissions

  4. Scan QR code to authenticate

  5. Start the gateway service

Detailed walkthrough: Installation Guide

4

Connect to GoHighLevel

  1. Access your WhatSnap dashboard in GoHighLevel

  2. Navigate to Connected Accounts → Add Account

  3. Select "SMS/iMessage (P2P)" → Android

  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to link your device

  5. Assign the device to your sub-account

  6. Configure your account tag for message routing

Connection Complete! Your Android device is now bridging your SMS to GoHighLevel through WhatSnap.

5

Send Your First Test SMS

  1. Open a contact in GoHighLevel

  2. Add your SMS account tag (e.g., whatsnap-account-android-1)

  3. Navigate to the SMS conversation tab

  4. Type and send a test message

  5. Verify delivery on your Android device

Start Slow: For new SIM cards, begin with low volume (1 message every 5-10 minutes) to warm up your number and avoid carrier restrictions.

Understanding Message Routing

How WhatSnap Routes SMS Messages

Tag-Based Contact Assignment

WhatSnap uses tags to determine which Android device/SIM handles each contact:

  1. Automatic Assignment: When someone texts your number, WhatSnap auto-creates a GHL contact with your device's tag

  2. Manual Assignment: Add the tag manually to route specific contacts to specific devices

  3. Multi-SIM Strategy: Use different tags for different SIM cards to distribute volume

Example Tags:

  • whatsnap-account-android-main - Primary SMS device

  • whatsnap-account-android-sales - Sales team device

  • whatsnap-account-android-support - Customer support device

Use Cases and Volume Guidelines

Perfect For:

✅ Database Reactivation Campaigns

  • Reconnect with old leads and customers

  • Personal touch with your real phone number

  • Controlled volume with proper warm-up strategy

  • See: Database Reactivation Guide

✅ Local Business Outreach

  • Local area code builds trust

  • Personal number for authentic conversations

  • Ideal for service-based businesses

✅ Sales Follow-Ups

  • Continue conversations with qualified leads

  • Personal touch increases response rates

  • Track all interactions in GHL

✅ Customer Service

  • Direct line to your business

  • Fast, personal responses

  • Full conversation history in CRM

Volume Recommendations

Stage
Volume Guideline
Duration

New SIM - Day 1-3

1 message every 5-10 minutes

Warm-up period

New SIM - Day 4-7

1 message every 2-3 minutes

Gradual increase

Warmed SIM

1 message per minute

Ongoing maximum

Daily Maximum

100-250 messages/day

Varies by carrier

Avoid Carrier Blocks: Sending too many messages too quickly on a new SIM will trigger carrier spam filters. Always warm up new numbers gradually over 7-14 days.

Not Ideal For:

  • ❌ High-volume mass marketing (use Twilio instead)

  • ❌ International messaging (use WhatsApp)

  • ❌ Bulk promotional blasts without warm-up

  • ❌ Spam or unsolicited messages

Best Practices

SIM Card Warm-Up Process

Critical for success: New SIM cards must be warmed up to establish sending reputation.

Days 1-3: Ultra Conservative

  • Send 10-20 messages per day maximum

  • 1 message every 5-10 minutes

  • Use natural, conversational language

  • Engage with responses immediately

Days 4-7: Gradual Increase

  • Increase to 30-50 messages per day

  • 1 message every 2-3 minutes

  • Continue conversational messaging

  • Monitor for any delivery issues

Week 2: Scale Up

  • Increase to 75-150 messages per day

  • 1 message every 1-2 minutes

  • Settle into your sustainable volume

  • Track delivery rates

Multi-Device SMS Strategy

Adding Multiple SIM Cards

Scale your SMS operations by connecting multiple Android devices:

Benefits:

  • Higher volume capacity - Each SIM adds 100-250 messages/day

  • Load distribution - Spread messages across multiple numbers

  • Department separation - Different numbers for sales, support, marketing

  • Redundancy - Backup if one device/SIM has issues

Setup:

  1. Connect each Android device separately

  2. Each gets a unique account tag

  3. Use GHL workflows to distribute contacts across devices

  4. Monitor each device's performance individually

See: Multiple SMS Accounts Guide

Reply Management with Multiple SIMs

When using multiple SMS devices, handle replies correctly:

  • Contact Assignment: Assign contacts to specific GHL users matching each SIM

  • User Login: Log in as the assigned user to reply from the correct number

  • Filter Views: Use conversation filters to see messages by SIM/user

  • Consistent Routing: Keep conversations with each contact on the same number

Full instructions: Multiple SMS Accounts - Reply Handling

Workflow Automation with SMS

Using SMS in GHL Workflows

When using SMS Channel Override, your workflows work automatically:

Example Workflow - Database Reactivation:

Trigger: Tag added → "whatsnap-account-android-main"
Wait: 5 minutes
Action: Send SMS
Message: "Hi {{first_name}}, it's been a while! We've got some exciting updates to share. Are you still interested in [service/product]?"
Wait: Response or 2 days
Condition: If replied → Continue conversation
Condition: If no reply → Tag as "No Response" and remove from campaign

Key Points:

  • Use standard "Send SMS" actions in workflows

  • Messages automatically route through tagged Android device

  • Personalization variables work normally

  • Track responses and engagement

Advanced: Using #switch Commands

Switch between messaging accounts dynamically:

Permanently switch to specific SMS device:

#switch|whatsnap-account-android-sales Hi {{first_name}}, I'm following up on your inquiry...

Send one message via SMS, then return to original account:

#switch_unique|whatsnap-account-android-main Quick text update: Your appointment is confirmed for tomorrow at 2pm.

Compliance and Legal Considerations

SMS Compliance Best Practices

Legal Requirements: SMS messaging is heavily regulated. Always follow TCPA (US), GDPR (EU), and local regulations.

Required Practices:

  • ✅ Obtain consent before messaging (opt-in required)

  • ✅ Honor opt-outs immediately (within 24 hours)

  • ✅ Identify your business in messages

  • ✅ Provide opt-out instructions ("Reply STOP to opt out")

  • ✅ Keep records of consent and opt-outs

  • ✅ Respect quiet hours (no messaging late night/early morning)

Prohibited Activities:

  • ❌ Purchasing contact lists and messaging without consent

  • ❌ Ignoring opt-out requests

  • ❌ Misleading or deceptive messages

  • ❌ Messaging numbers on Do Not Call registries without proper exemption

WhatSnap Compliance Features

WhatSnap includes built-in compliance tools:

  • Auto-DND on STOP: Automatically add contacts to DND when they reply "STOP"

  • Opt-out tracking: Monitor and manage opt-outs in GHL

  • Message logging: Complete audit trail of all communications

Troubleshooting

Need Help? For comprehensive troubleshooting, see our detailed SMS Troubleshooting Guide with step-by-step solutions for all common issues.

Quick Solutions for Common Issues

Messages Not Sending

Possible Causes:

  • WhatSnap Gateway app not running on Android

  • Device offline or no internet connection

  • SIM card inactive or no signal

  • Contact doesn't have SMS account tag

  • Carrier block or restriction

Solutions:

  1. Check that WhatSnap Gateway app is running on your Android device

  2. Verify your device is powered on and connected to internet

  3. Check SIM card status - ensure active and has signal

  4. Verify contact has the correct account tag in GHL

  5. Test by sending a regular SMS from your phone's native app

  6. Restart the WhatSnap Gateway app

  7. Check for carrier restrictions or blocks

Still having issues? See the complete SMS Troubleshooting Guide.

SIM Card Blocked by Carrier

Possible Causes:

  • Sent too many messages too quickly

  • Spam-like content detected

  • Exceeded carrier fair use policy

  • Reported as spam by recipients

Solutions:

  1. Contact your carrier immediately - explain legitimate business use

  2. Reduce volume significantly for 48-72 hours

  3. Improve message quality - make more personal and varied

  4. Warm up properly if using a new SIM

  5. Consider switching to a different carrier with higher limits

  6. For persistent issues, use Twilio for high-volume instead

See: Database Reactivations - Avoiding Blocks

Device Going to Sleep / App Stopping

Possible Causes:

  • Battery optimization killing the app

  • Device entering deep sleep mode

  • Manufacturer restrictions (some brands aggressive with background apps)

Solutions:

  1. Disable battery optimization for WhatSnap Gateway app

  2. Open Settings → Apps → WhatSnap Gateway → Battery → Unrestricted

  3. Keep device plugged in constantly

  4. Some cheap devices (e.g., Blade 51) may not support 24/7 operation

  5. Consider upgrading to recommended devices (Nokia C31, Google Pixel, Motorola)

See: SMS Device Specifications - Recommended Devices

Incoming Messages Not Syncing to GHL

Possible Causes:

  • Gateway app disconnected

  • Permissions revoked

  • Network connectivity issues

  • App not set as default SMS handler

Solutions:

  1. Check WhatSnap Gateway app connection status

  2. Re-grant all app permissions (SMS, Phone, Notifications)

  3. Verify internet connection on device

  4. When prompted, set WhatSnap as default SMS app (only if you need MMS support)

  5. Restart the Gateway app

  6. Check WhatSnap dashboard to see if device shows as "Connected"

Security and Privacy

Data Protection

Your Data, Your Control: The WhatSnap Gateway app on your Android device creates a secure bridge between your local SMS and WhatSnap cloud. Messages are encrypted in transit and processed according to our privacy policy.

Security Features:

  • Encrypted transmission between device and WhatSnap cloud

  • Secure authentication via QR code

  • Local SMS access only - app doesn't store messages

  • No message retention on WhatSnap servers beyond delivery

  • Compliance with carrier terms of service

Your Responsibilities:

  • Keep your Android device secure with screen lock

  • Don't share your authentication credentials

  • Monitor usage to stay within carrier limits

  • Protect SIM card from unauthorized use

  • Use strong passwords for your WhatSnap account

Multi-Platform Strategy

Combining SMS with Other Channels

WhatSnap allows you to use multiple messaging platforms together:

Example Strategy:

Platform Selection Guide:

Scenario
Best Platform
Reason

Local US/domestic outreach

Android SMS

Local number, high trust, good deliverability

International messaging

WhatsApp

Global adoption, no SMS charges

High-volume transactional

Twilio SMS

Reliability, compliance, SLA

Database reactivation

Android SMS

Personal touch, cost-effective

VIP relationships

iMessage (iOS)

Premium feel, high engagement

Appointment reminders

Twilio SMS

99.95% uptime, consistent delivery

Next Steps

After successfully connecting your Android SMS account:

  1. SMS Device Specifications - Review hardware requirements and SIM plan recommendations

  2. SMS Installation & Setup - Detailed installation walkthrough

  3. Multiple SMS Accounts - Connect multiple Android devices for increased capacity

  4. Database Reactivations - Master high-volume outreach campaigns with proper warm-up

  5. FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions - Common questions about personal messages, number porting, RCS, and more

  6. SMS Troubleshooting - Comprehensive guide for resolving issues

  7. Account Settings - Configure SMS-specific settings

  8. Tag Management - Master using tags to route messages

  9. Conversations - Start messaging contacts through SMS

  10. Workflow Integration - Automate SMS communications

Ready to Message! Your Android SMS account is now connected to WhatSnap. Remember to warm up your SIM properly and stay within carrier guidelines for best results.

Questions or Issues? Contact WhatSnap support at support@whatsnap.ai or check our troubleshooting guides for additional help.

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