How to Activate or Deactivate SMS

In this article:

In order for inbound SMS or text messages to work on a local US or Canadian number, it must first be activated.

**Outbound SMS is currently not available with NumberBarn. You may qualify to move your SMS functionality to String. Read more about that here. 

If you have a Toll free number with NumberGarage and want to enable SMS, see this article. You may qualify to move your SMS functionality to String. Read more about that here.

Note: Texting is not available on the Port Away plan. If you need to change your plan to enable texting, click on the following link to learn how: Change my plan

How to Activate SMS

Once your number is active in your account ...

• Login to your account
• Select Messages
• Select the desired number in the Conversations dropdown menu
• Select the green Activate SMS button

• Once clicked, the SMS will activate on that number within 24-48 hours for most US carriers. It may take longer for Canadian, Puerto Rican, and smaller wireless carriers

You can also activate SMS for your number through the following process:

• Login to your account
• Select Numbers
• Click on the desired number in your list.
• Click on the Messages tab
• Click the Activate SMS button

How to Deactivate SMS

• Login to your account
• Select Numbers
• Click on the desired number in your list.
• Click on the Messages tab
• Click the Deactivate SMS button

Important notes regarding NumberBarn Text Messaging

• Toll-free numbers are not eligible for SMS at this time.
• NumberBarn will NOT send text messages to an international phone number.
• NumberBarn will NOT accept text messages from an international phone number.

• Outbound SMS is currently not available with NumberBarn.

  • You may qualify to move your SMS functionality to String. Read more about that here. 

• If you have a Toll free number with NumberGarage and want to enable SMS, see this article. 
  • You may qualify to move your SMS functionality to String. Read more about that here.

When will my SMS be activated?

If your text messaging activation is pending and you'd like a status, please click here to contact support and a member of our team will get a status for you.

How to Activate SMS in the Mobile App

Currently, there's no option to activate SMS in the NumberBarn or NumberGarage mobile applications. You will need to do so in a web browser or by logging in using the browser on your mobile device.