SMS
Frequently asked questions about WhatSnap SMS. Find answers to common questions about personal messages, number porting, RCS settings, and more.
Find answers to common questions about using WhatSnap SMS with Android devices and GoHighLevel.
Common Questions
Quick Answers
Can I use my personal phone for WhatSnap SMS?
Yes, you can use your personal Android phone and personal number with WhatSnap. However, we recommend:
✅ Use the
whatsnap-blacklisttag to exclude personal contacts from syncing to GHL✅ Consider using a dedicated business phone/SIM for cleaner separation
✅ Follow carrier fair use policies (don't mix high-volume business SMS with personal use)
See: Preventing Personal Messages from Appearing in CRM
Can I port my Twilio or LeadConnector numbers to use with WhatSnap?
Not directly. WhatSnap SMS uses your personal SIM card number, not ported numbers. However:
✅ You can port Twilio/LeadConnector numbers to another carrier
✅ Then use that carrier's SIM in your Android device with WhatSnap
✅ Or keep Twilio as separate channel and use WhatSnap for P2P SMS
Note: WhatSnap cannot assist with porting. You must work with Twilio/GHL and your new carrier.
See: How to Port Numbers
Should I enable or disable RCS on my Android device?
Usually disable for WhatSnap SMS. Enable only if:
❌ Disable RCS (recommended): Using local SIM for standard SMS
✅ Enable RCS (exception): Using eSIM from another country over WiFi
See: RCS Settings Guide
Can I send MMS (picture messages) with WhatSnap SMS?
Yes, but with requirements:
✅ Image must be under 800 KB
✅ WhatSnap Gateway app must be set as default SMS app on Android
✅ Device must have adequate signal strength
✅ Test sending MMS directly from phone first
See: Troubleshooting - MMS Not Sending
How many messages can I send per day with WhatSnap SMS?
Depends on carrier and warm-up status:
New SIM (Week 1): 10-20 messages/day
Warmed SIM (Week 2+): 100-250 messages/day
Maximum rate: 1 message per minute sustained
Multiple devices: Scale by adding more SIM cards
See: Database Reactivations - Volume Guidelines
Will my personal contacts see my business messages?
No, when properly configured:
Messages sent through WhatSnap appear in your phone's native Messages app
Replies from business contacts sync to GoHighLevel
Use
whatsnap-blacklisttag to exclude specific contacts from GHL syncPersonal conversations stay in Messages app, business in GHL
See: Preventing Personal Messages
Can I use the same phone for both personal and business SMS?
Yes, but we recommend against it for these reasons:
Challenges:
❌ Mixing personal and business messages gets confusing
❌ Harder to track business metrics
❌ Risk of accidentally syncing personal conversations to CRM
❌ Carrier may flag account for business use on personal plan
Better approach:
✅ Use dedicated device for WhatSnap SMS
✅ Get business-specific SIM plan
✅ Keep personal and business completely separate
✅ Or use
whatsnap-blacklisttag religiously
See: Device Specifications - Purchase Recommendations
What happens if my SIM card gets blocked?
Common scenario with solutions:
Immediate actions:
Stop sending messages immediately
Contact carrier to request unblock
Wait 24-48 hours before resuming
Reduce volume significantly when you resume
Prevention:
Follow proper SIM warm-up process
Stay within carrier fair use limits
Don't send spam-like content
Use multiple SIMs to distribute volume
See: Troubleshooting - SIM Card Blocked
Can I use WhatSnap SMS internationally?
Yes, with considerations:
Sending internationally:
✅ Ensure your SIM plan includes international SMS
✅ May incur higher per-message costs
✅ Some carriers restrict international SMS on certain plans
💡 Alternative: Use WhatsApp for international (no SMS charges)
Using eSIM from another country:
✅ Can use eSIM over WiFi to send from that country's number
⚠️ Must enable RCS for eSIM over WiFi
⚠️ Check carrier supports eSIM SMS over WiFi
See: RCS Settings - eSIM Over WiFi
How is WhatSnap SMS different from Twilio?
Key differences:
Cost
Fixed ($10-30/month SIM plan)
Per-message ($0.0075-0.01 per SMS)
Number
Your personal/business number
Dedicated business number
Setup
Android device required
Cloud-based, no device
Volume
100-250/day per SIM
Unlimited (with scaling costs)
Deliverability
Carrier-dependent
99.95% SLA
Use case
Personal touch, DBR, local
High-volume, transactional
Best approach: Use both
WhatSnap for personal, conversational messaging
Twilio for high-volume, transactional messages
Do I need to keep my Android device on 24/7?
Yes, for reliable operation:
Requirements:
✅ Device powered on and plugged in
✅ Internet connection active (WiFi or mobile data)
✅ WhatSnap Gateway app running
✅ Battery optimization disabled
✅ Screen can sleep, but device stays awake
Power management tips:
Use dedicated device (not daily-use phone)
Keep plugged into charger constantly
Disable screen timeout (or set to minimum brightness)
Use power outlet with surge protector
Consider backup power (UPS) for critical operations
See: Installation - Device Configuration
Can I use multiple SIM cards to increase volume?
Absolutely! This is recommended for scaling:
Benefits:
📈 Each SIM adds 100-250 messages/day capacity
🔀 Distribute load across multiple carriers
🛡️ Redundancy if one SIM gets blocked
👥 Assign different numbers to different teams
Setup:
Connect multiple Android devices to WhatSnap
Each gets unique tag (e.g.,
whatsnap-account-android-1,android-2)Use workflows to distribute contacts across devices
Monitor each SIM's performance independently
See: Multiple SMS Accounts Guide
What's the best Android device for WhatSnap SMS?
Recommended specs:
OS: Android 9.0 or higher
RAM: 4 GB (minimum 2 GB)
Brand: Google Pixel, Nokia, Motorola (stock or light Android)
Avoid: Very cheap phones (<$50), devices with aggressive battery management
Top picks:
Budget: Nokia C31, Realme C21 ($80-100)
Mid-range: Google Pixel 3a/4a refurbished ($100-150)
Best value: Refurbished Google Pixel (stock Android, reliable)
See: Device Specifications - Recommended Devices
How do I handle opt-outs and STOP requests?
Legal requirement - must honor immediately:
WhatSnap's auto-DND:
✅ Contact replies "STOP" → Automatically added to DND
✅ All future messages blocked
✅ Works across all WhatSnap accounts
Manual setup:
Create workflow: Trigger on SMS contains "STOP"
Action: Add to DND
Action: Tag "Opted-Out"
Action: Remove all campaign tags
Action: Send confirmation: "You've been unsubscribed"
Compliance:
Must honor within 24 hours (recommend: immediately)
Keep records of opt-outs
Accept variations: STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT
See: Database Reactivations - Compliance
Can I use eSIMs with WhatSnap SMS?
Yes, eSIMs are fully compatible with WhatSnap SMS.
Requirements:
✅ eSIM-compatible Android device
✅ eSIM from a carrier supporting SMS
✅ Enable RCS if using eSIM from another country over WiFi
✅ WiFi calling enabled
Great for:
International numbers without physical SIM
Multiple numbers on one device (dual-SIM setup)
Remote activation
Not recommended for:
High-volume campaigns (physical SIM more reliable)
Users unfamiliar with WiFi calling setup
See: eSIM Compatibility Guide and Getting a US eSIM
Can I use one phone with multiple SIM cards?
Yes for dual-SIM phones, No for sharing one SIM across accounts.
✅ Dual-SIM Phone (Allowed):
Install 2 SIM cards in dual-SIM Android device
Each SIM can go to same or different GHL sub-account
Double your messaging capacity on one device
❌ Sharing One SIM Across Multiple Sub-Accounts (Not Allowed):
Each SIM must be dedicated to one GHL sub-account
Technical limitations prevent sharing
Will cause message routing conflicts
See: Dual-SIM Usage Guide
Can I do cold SMS outreach with WhatSnap?
Technically yes, but with strict requirements:
Legal Requirements:
✅ Must obtain proper consent (TCPA, GDPR, CASL compliance)
✅ Honor opt-outs immediately
✅ Provide clear business identification
✅ Follow local SMS regulations
Carrier Risk:
⚠️ Higher risk of carrier blocks
⚠️ Requires careful warm-up (2-3 weeks)
⚠️ Must use high-quality, personalized messages
⚠️ Use WhatSnap's Outreach module with drip mode
Recommendation:
✅ Use WhatSnap for warm leads with prior opt-in
✅ Use Twilio A2P for truly cold outreach
✅ Focus on database reactivation (old leads who opted in)
Do I need A2P registration for WhatSnap SMS?
No, A2P (Application-to-Person) registration is not required for WhatSnap P2P SMS.
Why:
WhatSnap uses your personal/business SIM card (P2P messaging)
Not using cloud SMS platforms (Twilio, Bandwidth)
Treated as personal messaging by carriers
Benefits of No A2P:
✅ Instant setup (15-20 minutes vs. 2-6 weeks)
✅ No regulatory bundles
✅ No carrier approval process
✅ No waiting for brand registration
Still Required:
Standard SIM card registration with carrier (ID, address)
Compliance with TCPA/GDPR/local laws
Carrier fair use policies
Is WhatSnap SMS really unlimited?
Yes and no - it depends on what you mean by "unlimited":
✅ Unlimited from WhatSnap:
No per-message fees
No WhatSnap-imposed caps
Flat monthly pricing
⚠️ Limited by external factors:
Carrier fair use policies (typically 100-250 msgs/day per SIM)
Country regulations
Android phone technical limits (30 msgs/30 min triggers warning)
Scaling:
Add more SIMs to increase capacity
1 SIM = 100-250 msgs/day
5 SIMs = 500-1,250 msgs/day
Cost Comparison:
WhatSnap: $30/month for 3,000-7,500 msgs (fixed)
Twilio: $24-60/month for same volume (variable)
Why should I use WhatSnap instead of Twilio?
WhatSnap is better when you need:
✅ Speed:
Setup in 15-20 minutes (vs. 2-6 weeks for Twilio A2P)
✅ Predictable Costs:
Fixed $10-30/month per SIM
No bill shock
✅ Personal Touch:
Your real phone number (not pool number)
Higher engagement rates
✅ No A2P Hassle:
No registration, approvals, or regulatory bundles
Twilio is better when you need:
Ultra-high volume (2,000+ msgs/day)
99.95% uptime SLA
Transactional/automated messages
No device management
Best Approach: Hybrid
WhatSnap for personal, conversational messaging
Twilio for high-volume transactional
See: WhatSnap vs Twilio Comparison
Still Have Questions?
Search the Documentation
Use the search feature to find specific topics:
Database Reactivations
Contact Support
Email: support@whatsnap.ai
Before contacting:
Check this FAQ
Review relevant documentation
Try basic troubleshooting steps
Gather error messages and screenshots
Related Resources
Main Documentation
SMS Main Guide - Complete SMS overview
Installation Guide - Setup instructions
Device Specifications - Hardware and carrier recommendations
Troubleshooting - Fix common issues
Database Reactivations - Campaign strategies
Multiple SMS Accounts - Scaling with multiple devices
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started:
Setup Speed - How fast is WhatSnap setup?
International SMS - Works in your country?
GoHighLevel Features - What works with GHL?
Reliability - How reliable is WhatSnap?
Campaign & Strategy:
SMS Campaign Benefits - Why use WhatSnap?
WhatSnap vs Twilio - Comparison guide
Cold SMS Outreach - Legal requirements
Device & SIM Management:
Using Existing Number - Should you?
Reusing SIM Cards - Can you reuse across accounts?
SIM Blocking & Recovery - What if blocked?
Failed Message Notifications - Email alerts
Technical & Features:
Lead Connector App - Mobile app usage
Personal Messages Privacy - Keep CRM clean
Number Porting - Port from Twilio/LC
RCS Settings - Enable or disable?
eSIM Compatibility - Using eSIMs
Getting a US eSIM - From outside US
Dual-SIM Usage - Multiple SIMs
Compliance & Limits:
A2P Requirements - Registration needed?
Unlimited SMS - Volume limits explained
For Agencies:
Reselling WhatSnap - Pricing strategies
Can't find your answer? Contact us at support@whatsnap.ai and we'll help you out!
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